Mexico Finally Bans Catching Five Threatened Atlantic Shark Species

Mexico has implemented new national regulations that prohibit fishing vessels from catching or keeping five threatened shark species in Atlantic waters, marking a significant step forward for marine conservation. The ban covers bigeye thresher sharks, silky sharks, critically endangered oceanic whitetip sharks, endangered shortfin makos, and most hammerhead species.

Under the new rules, longline fishing operations in waters managed by the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) – including the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Sea – are now forbidden from retaining, storing, transporting, or selling these protected sharks, whether whole or in parts. Violations of these regulations could result in significant penalties for fishing vessels.

While shark conservationists applaud the protective measures, many point out that Mexico’s action comes years behind schedule. The regulations are based on ICCAT recommendations made between 2009 and 2021, meaning some protections are more than a decade overdue. Although ICCAT’s recommendations are legally binding for member countries like Mexico, each nation must incorporate them into domestic law to make them locally enforceable.

Mexican fisheries have historically caught substantial numbers of sharks in both Atlantic and Pacific waters, making these new protections particularly crucial for species recovery. The government stated that these measures help Mexico fulfill its international commitments while promoting “responsible, sustainable fishing practices that respect protected species.” This regulatory update represents a critical victory for marine biodiversity, as shark populations worldwide have declined dramatically due to overfishing and bycatch in commercial fishing operations.