Key facts and figures supporting ambitious shark conservation action at CoP19:

-        Approx. 100 million sharks are killed each year in commercial fisheries worldwide
-        Approx. 100 shark species found in international trade
-        Only 38 shark species are currently listed on CITES Appendix II for which any continued trade must be proven to be legal and sustainably sourced
-        89% of the hammerhead shark family and 68% of the requiem shark family are already threatened with extinction
-        Any country that recognizes the need for sustainable fisheries and trade must support the two shark proposals as submitted by Panama and the EU for adoption at CoP19 

Just seven families of sharks and rays make up more than 90% of the global fin trade, and 100% of the trade in dried ray gills. Five of those families are already listed at the family level on CITES Appendix II, but two families still have multiple species unlisted – leaving large gaps in the regulation of global trades.

Currently only 25% of the global fin trade is managed by CITES but parties can bring more than 90% of the trade under regulation if they adopt two science-based shark proposals coming November in Panama.

70% of the shark fin trade is in species threatened with extinction—action is needed, now.

Photo by Jim Abernethy

Photo by Danny Copeland