News Gallery
Celebrating sawfish on International Sawfish Day
Australia is home to four of the five species of sawfish and probably holds some of the last secure populations of these species globally. WWF-Australia is working hard to protect endangered sawfish by calling on the Queensland Government to legislate a Net Free North. Read more about sawfish and our work to protect them.
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How CITES Is Starting to Drive Improvements in Shark Management and Trade
By Andy Cornish
While regulations on trade such as CITES (Convention on the International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) may seem distinct from fisheries management, they are actually a key component of comprehensive management measures, at least for fishes like sharks whose products are frequently exported. Five years on since the first wave of Appendix II listings for commercially important sharks and rays came into effect, some patterns are beginning to emerge.
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TRAFFIC releases a new report on major shark and ray catchers and traders
TRAFFIC's latest study identifies the world’s top 20 shark and ray catchers and traders over the last decade, giving an overview of global shark and ray fishing and trade in their meat and fins. The world’s top 20 catchers (harvesting almost 600,000 metric tonnes of sharks and rays each year) account for 80% of global reported catch. Top 20 shark meat importers account for 90% of the global imports. For shark fins, 4 largest importers bring in 90% of the global imports.
SEE TRAFFIC PRESS RELEASE
Unlocking secrets of gentle giants – whale sharks and citizen science
Whale sharks (Rhincodon typus) are filter-feeding and highly migratory sharks, which travel between coastal waters and open oceans. Growing up to 20 meters in length (longer than a school bus) and weighing up to 34 tonnes (nearly as heavy as 6 large African elephants), they are by far the biggest living fish in the world. And yet, in spite of being one of the most iconic marine species, these sharks still hold many secrets waiting to be uncovered!
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A ray of hope for mako sharks and rhino rays at CITES CoP18 – 18 threatened shark species added to Appendix II
The 18th Conference of the Parties (CoP18) of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) concluded in Geneva, Switzerland today, bringing great news for mako sharks and rhino rays. With the support of two-thirds majority of parties secured for each listing proposal, shortfin and longfin mako sharks, wedgefishes and giant guitarfishes will be included in the Appendix II of the convention to regulate international trade in these animals and their products.
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Sharks and rays in the international spotlight at CITES CoP18
[UPDATED on 26 Aug 2019] WWF supports three proposed shark and ray Appendix II listings ahead of the upcoming 18th Conference of the Parties (CoP18) to the Convention on the International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). Improved management and trade controls are key to reducing population declines in listed species.
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WWF’s shark management recommendations for the Western and Central Pacific laid out
Sharks and rays feature prominently in our recommendations for the 15th regular session of the Scientific Committee (SC) of the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) taking place in Pohnpei, Federated States of Micronesia, on 12 – 20 August, 2019
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IATTC approves proposals on whale shark and silky shark conservation
The 94th annual meeting of the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission (IATTC) concluded with two shark-related resolutions accepted, adopting conservation measures for whale sharks and silky sharks.
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Total federal protection of four shark and two ray species implemented in Malaysia
Following a proposal originally submitted by the Sabah government to the federal government of Malaysia, as of 17 July 2019 four shark species and two manta ray species gain country-wide protection under the Federal Fisheries (Control of Endangered Species of Fish) Regulations 1999, Fisheries Act 1985.
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Rhinofishes feature prominently in alarming new assessment of species threats
Gland, Switzerland (18 July 2019) - The International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) published updates to its Red List of threatened species. The updated list shows an increasing number of species are being pushed to the edge of extinction by human activities. Overfishing has led to two families of extraordinary rays - guitarfishes and wedgefishes - to teeter on the brink.
SEE WWF INTERNATIONAL PRESS RELEASE
Sharks in the Mediterranean sea are the most at risk in the world
Rome, Italy - More than half of the species of sharks and rays living in the Mediterranean are under threat, with almost a third of them fished close to the level of extinction. The worrying status of the marine predators is a clear signal of the overall declining health of the Mediterranean Sea, whose wildlife is decimated by overfishing, according to a new report by WWF.
SEE WWF MEDITERRANEAN MARINE INITIATIVE PRESS RELEASE
Why we need more protected areas to conserve sharks and benefit people
By Andy Cornish
Well-planned Marine Protected Areas can provide multiple benefits for coastal communities as well as sharks and rays. While the combined area of existing shark MPAs is impressive, there is still a huge potential yet to be tapped.
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New conservation measure adopted In the Indian Ocean to protect vulnerable devil rays
The Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC) has adopted the first ever conservation management measure (CMM) for Mobulid or devil rays. Countries agreed to release caught animals using safe release guidelines, improved data collection and scientific investigation of the survival rates of released rays.
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WWF draws up five-point “to-do list” for Dutch minister
WWF NL recently applauded the work of Dutch Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality Carola Schouten for drawing up a strategy to protect sharks and rays in the Dutch Caribbean. But WWF NL is also calling on the senior government leader to deliver on an earlier pledge to better protect sharks and rays much closer to home, in the North Sea.
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First practical guide to protected areas for sharks and rays launched
WWF and the Centre for Sustainable Tropical Fisheries & Aquaculture (CSTFA) at James Cook University have launched the first-ever Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) guide specifically aimed at sharks and rays.
See WWF Global Site