News Gallery

Well spotted! Rare ornate Eagle ray sighting released

Added to Updates on 09 January 2018

Scientists from the Philippine-based marine conservation organization LAMAVE have recently released video footage of their 2017 encounter with the rarely seen and endangered Ornate Eagle Ray (Aetomylaeus vespertilio).

WWF updates public on shark conservation progress at DRT Expo 2017

Added to Updates on 18 December 2017

Attendees at the recent Dive and Resort Travel (DRT) Expo in Hong Kong learned about the WWF’s latest efforts to reduce demand for shark fins as well as the growing importance of ecotourism as a way to conserve sharks and rays.

Shark finning loophole still open in Pacific

Added to Press Releases on 12 December 2017

A conservation measure to close a shark-finning loophole was defeated in Manila at the annual meeting of the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC), the international body that manages tuna fisheries in the Pacific.

WWF Statement - Unacceptable rise in catch quota for bluefin tuna! WWF protests

Added to Updates on 21 November 2017

Lack of progress made to improve the fate of shortfin mako shark, blue shark and tropical tuna populations also cited in WWF reaction

WWF promotes the conservation of whale sharks in Mafia to mark World Fisheries Day 2017

Added to Press Releases on 17 November 2017

Research results have identified environmental and other factors affecting presence of whale sharks in Mafia Island - one of the world’s leading whale shark residency sites. The large fish’s existence is threatened, among other factors, by fisheries activities; a main source of livelihood for many of Mafia island’s community members.

Here’s why all eyes are on Mafia Island Whale Sharks this World Fisheries Day!

Added to Blogs on 17 November 2017

By Dr. Mathias Igulu

Since 1965, WWF-Tanzania’s marine programme has worked in and with coastal communities to conserve their precious fisheries and marine resources and improve livelihoods. There are several different approaches we use to realise our different conservation goals and in this blog, I would like to focus on whale shark conservation work and why it is important in Tanzania.

Using technology to save the oceans: new tool to detect illegal fishing

Added to Press Releases on 15 November 2017

DETECT-IT is a new data analytics tool that will help businesses, non-governmental organizations, customs officers, law enforcement and fisheries officials to search quickly through fish trade data to identify potential illegally caught and traded fish products around the world.

Shortfin mako and blue shark management improvements needed at ICCAT

Added to Updates on 13 November 2017

A summary overview of the WWF shark-focused position (link included) that encourages ICCAT (International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas) to finalize the adoption of important amendments to the Convention that will enable the Commission to manage all shark fisheries and adopt a precautionary approach and ecosystem-based management for its future decisions. The 25th Regular Meeting of ICAAT will be held 14-22 November 2017.

CMS listing not enough to protect sharks

Added to Press Releases on 29 October 2017

Global shark conservation coalition that includes the WWF welcomes new shark listings on UN wildlife treaty, while stressing urgent need for implementation

WWF becomes a cooperating partner to the CMS Sharks MoU

Added to Updates on 24 October 2017

WWF today signed on to become Cooperating Partner to the Sharks Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) of the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS). The signing took place at the CMS Conference of the Parties meeting in Manila.

WWF and TRAFFIC welcome CITES shark listings;
“now the real work begins”

Added to Press Releases on 04 October 2017

Four additional shark species, including all species of thresher sharks and the silky shark, today became officially protected under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), although WWF and TRAFFIC caution that progress in protecting such threatened species will only be meaningful if previous and current measures are implemented effectively.

Dramatic increase in shark fin re-exports from Hong Kong to Macau

Added to Press Releases on 26 September 2017

Shark fin re-exports from Hong Kong to Macau rose a staggering 62 per cent year-on-year in 2016, up to 143,396 kilos from 88,029 kilos in 2015. This is the first time re-exports to Macau exceeded those to mainland China.

Official statement from WWF Ecuador

Added to Press Releases on 23 August 2017

OFFICIAL STATEMENT BY THE DIRECTOR OF WWF ECUADOR ABOUT THE RECENT ARREST OF A CHINESE SHIP CARRYING ILLEGAL MARINE SPECIES INSIDE THE GALAPAGOS MARINE RESERVE Considering the recent arrest of a Chinese reefer refrigerated cargo ship with significant quantities of pelagic fish species in its holds, including internationally protected sharks, inside the Galapagos Marine Reserve, WWF publically rejects all forms of industrial fishing and the entrance of banned ships in the Galapagos Marine Reserve. These activities threaten the integrity of ecosystems and the biodiversity of this important UNESCO Natural World Heritage Site.

Calls for better traceability after report identifies Singapore as world’s second largest shark fin trader

Added to Press Releases on 26 May 2017

Singapore is the world’s second largest shark fin trader by value after Hong Kong according to a new report by TRAFFIC and WWF, who are calling on Singapore to improve transparency in the global shark fin trade through more robust monitoring.

Sulu Seas shark tourism expedition

Added to Blogs on 24 May 2017

By Andy Cornish

One of the more gratifying experiences for a conservationist is seeing the approaches you’ve developed coming into fruition in the real world, and having a positive effect.