Several proposals seeking greater protection of more than 70 shark and ray species from commercial trade were raised this week for deliberation at the 20th meeting of CITES, the global convention on the wildlife trade, to be held in November.

“The world is at a tipping point for sharks and rays,” Luke Warwick, director of shark and ray conservation at the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), said in a press release. He added that more than 37% of shark and ray species are threatened with extinction, and the statistic rises to more than 70% for species in the international trade.

The roughly 70 species included in the seven new CITES proposals are backed by more than 50 governments, including those of Panama, Ecuador, Brazil, Senegal, Benin, the EU and its member states and the U.K.

Among those proposed for the highest level of protection under Appendix I of CITES — which generally prohibits all international commercial trade in the listed species — are whale sharks (Rhincodon typus). These sharks have declined to a conservation status of Endangered since being listed under Appendix II two decades ago. Species listed under Appendix II can be traded with relevant permits.

The critically endangered oceanic whitetip shark (Carcharhinus longimanus), which continues to be caught and traded for its fins, is also proposed to be moved from Appendix II to Appendix I. Similarly, the endangered oceanic manta ray (Mobula birostris) is proposed for a transfer from Appendix II to Appendix I.

Appendix I listings are “typically for species in such steep decline or with such small populations that commercial trade isn’t likely to take place in the coming decades, due to the length of time they need to recover from the declines they have suffered,” Warwick told Mongabay by email.

Governments have also proposed temporary “zero quota” for the Appendix II-listed critically endangered wedgefish and guitarfish rays, which are also prized for their fins.

Warwick said the zero quota will have the same impact as Appendix I, banning commercial trade. But, he added, it is “typically applied to species where, if a halt in trade for shorter period of time (say a decade) is put in place, the species — even if threatened can bounce back more quickly.”

CITES listings act as “key catalyst for conservation action,” Warwick said, but resulting action depends on the capacity and political will of countries. He added that listings have led countries to limit or even phase out catch and trade.

“Aquatic species listing proposals are always controversial for sharks and rays — and these will be no different,” Warwick said, adding that several proposals were passed at the previous CITES meeting, showing momentum in protecting the vulnerable ocean predators.

“However, these are the first Appendix I listing proposals for regularly caught and traded shark and ray species, and may prove controversial with some fisheries focused nations,” he added.

Banner image of a whale shark in Tubbataha by © Steve De Neef.