The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) is now requiring special permits for exporting five species of sharks and all manta rays.
The new regulations, signed by 178 countries during a meeting in Bangkok last year, protect the oceanic whitetip sharks, scalloped hammerhead sharks, great hammerhead sharks, smooth hammerhead sharks, porbeagle sharks and all manta rays. These animals were added to the list of the species that are in danger of extinction due to illegal fishing.
"Now, the international community is paying more attention to the ocean, and the health of marine species like sharks is a good indicator of the health of this big marine ecosystem," Juan Carlos Vasquez, a legal expert with CITES, told Live Science.
Vasquez believes that the new regulations would make it easier for authorities to control illegal fishers, but also warned that these people might shift their activities to other species or other areas. CITES will be working closely with international authorities in checking permits and identifying the entry points of the illegal fishers.
"We are extremely pleased that CITES member nations have given greater protections to these commercially exploited marine species," Bryan Arroyo, head of the U.S. delegation, said in a statement last year. "Through the cooperation of the global community, we can begin addressing the threats posed by unsustainable global trade in shark fins and other parts and products of shark and ray species."
Sharks have remained endangered despite conservation efforts. There are also different conservation groups calling for stricter laws to protect this species, such as banning the use of shark meat or fins to make soup. It is estimated that 270,000 sharks are being killed each day for no good reason and merely for the thrill of hunting.
