December 2, 2025 — The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) has enacted sweeping new trade protections for sharks and rays while nixing proposals to do the same for sea cucumbers and eels at the 20th conference of parties (COP20) in Samarkand, Uzbekistan.
CITES is meeting from 24 November through 5 December and discussing over 100 proposals that could shift trade rules for species. Seven of those proposals concerned aquatic species, with three – eels, sharks, and sea cucumbers – drawing concern from the International Coalition of Fisheries Associations (ICFA).