November 25, 2025 — The International Coalition of Fisheries Associations (ICFA) is calling on member nations of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) to carefully consider multiple new species restriction proposals during its 20th conference of parties (CoP20).
The latest meeting, running from 24 November through 5 December, will cover over 100 proposals to adjust its rules regarding the handling of threatened or endangered species. Among those proposals ICFA said it is concerned about and is urging CITES to reject includes one that would change the listing of tope shark and smooth-hound sharks. Another involves changing the listing of Japanese eel and American eel, and a third covers sea cucumbers.