At the 20th meeting of the Conference of the Parties for the Convention on the International Trade of Endangered Species Flora & Fauna, Governments approved all shark and ray proposals that were on the agenda. This significantly strengthens trade controls for many shark species.

Whale sharks, Oceanic whiteip and all manta and mobula rays were elevated to the CITES Appendix 1 level. This means a complete ban on commercial trade.

Alongside this great result several other species of shark were added to the CITES Appendix 2 listings. Several Gulper sharks, smoothound and tope sharks were will now have their trade controlled and heavily monitored with the aims to stop any further over exploitation.