Global wildlife summit could bring nearly 30 shark species under international trade protection

A critical vote at this week’s CITES wildlife conference in Uzbekistan could dramatically expand protections for sharks, with over 180 nations considering new trade regulations for nearly 30 species of houndsharks. The proposal, expected to face a tight vote as early as Thursday, would bring the majority of global shark trade under international oversight for the first time.

The measure targets the Triakidae family of small-to-medium sharks, adding three endangered species—school shark, common smoothhound, and Patagonian narrownose smoothhound—plus 26 similar-looking species to CITES Appendix II. This classification would require countries to establish permit systems ensuring any international shipments are both legal and sustainable.

Despite their name, houndsharks are surprisingly common on dinner plates worldwide, though diners often don’t realize what they’re eating. In southern Europe, they appear in traditional dishes across Greece, Italy, and Spain, while Australians frequently consume them in fish and chips. The meat is often mislabeled or simply called “fish,” masking its true identity from consumers.

As larger shark species have gained CITES protection in recent years, houndshark fins are increasingly appearing in Hong Kong’s massive shark fin trade market, according to genetic research published in Science Advances. “We also need to protect the small sharks,” marine biologist Ralf Sonntag from German NGO Pro Wildlife emphasized from the conference site in Samarkand. The vote represents a pivotal moment for shark conservation, potentially closing loopholes that have allowed these smaller species to remain vulnerable to overexploitation.