Oceanic whitetip sharks are quickly disappearing from the ocean, largely due to the illegal trade of their fins for shark fin soup. But, led by Panama, we have reached a turning point, says a new piece co-authored by @WCSsharks for @TIME. time.com/7362449/shark-conse…

"Good News About #Sharks" | By @JuanCaNavarro, Cristina Mittermeier & Luke Warwick for @TIME "Ideas" #Shark conservation requires global leadership, and #Panama is setting the pace for ocean #conservation. time.com/7362449/shark-conse… @WCSsharks @Sea_Legacy #oceanicwhitetip #ocean

Countries showed extraordinary support to safeguard #sharks and rays at #CITESCoP20, adopting all 7 proposals, including 3 unanimously. This momentum can translate into on-the-water action through MPAs that drive #30x30 goals. See how #MaputoNationalPark is leading the way:  for-the-ocean.org/cites-deli…

#Whalesharks are an iconic and beautiful species, and their new #CITES trade regulations mark historic conservation progress. Sustainable tourism could advance their protection, but a new study highlights the need stronger management measures and robust enforcement. Read more: bit.ly/44S7Zq6

History was made at #CITESCoP20 - all seven shark and ray proposals officially adopted, turning the tide for the ocean’s most vulnerable species.🦈🌊 Thank you the the champion governments for making this landmark moment happen. @TheWCS @ifawglobal Infographics by WCS

#Sharks & Rays Gain Sweeping Protections From #Wildlife Trade | By @AlexaRoblesGil for @NYTScience The species brought under an international trade ban “are some of the species that have been traded almost to #extinction,” said Luke Warwick. nytimes.com/2025/12/02/scien… @WCSsharks

From @nytimes: Sharks and Rays Gain Sweeping Protections From Wildlife Trade These represent the first time there’s been recognition that some sharks and rays are wildlife, just like elephants or rhinos, WCS’s Luke Warwick tells the paper. nytimes.com/2025/12/02/scien…

Sweeping trade protections adopted for sharks and rays at #CITESCOP20. “It’s taken 20-30 years to get recognition that sharks and rays — keystone predators in marine ecosystems globally — need that protection,” WCS’s Luke Warwick tells @washingtonpost. washingtonpost.com/climate-s…

WCS Celebrates Historic and Sweeping Trade Protections for Sharks and Rays Adopted at CITES CoP20. All CITES shark and ray proposals pass - marking the most comprehensive advance in global shark conservation in CITES history. WCS’s Luke Warwick: “This is a landmark victory, and it belongs to the Parties who championed these protections. Countries across Latin America, Africa, the Pacific, and Asia came together in a powerful show of leadership and solidarity, passing every shark and ray proposal tabled for the CoP covering over 70 species." Read the full statement here: bit.ly/4poL9il

Historic victory for sharks: #CITESCoP20 Parties voted to list oceanic whitetip sharks on Appendix I, the highest level of protection offered by CITES. “A watershed moment for all sharks and rays,” said WCS’s Luke Warwick. Read more: bit.ly/4olha9w

The @CITES #Cop20 has kicked off in Samarkand, Uzbekistan! Curious about the conference and what it means for sharks? Listen to: apple.co/481c8u1

“If the whale shark disappears from the world, I will lose my livelihood.” This is what’s at stake at the ongoing #CITESCOP20. In a new short film from the Philippines, filmmaker Steve De Neef captures the importance protecting species like this.

At #CITESCOP20, governments face last chance to save whale sharks, manta rays, and more. “The science is unequivocal, and the tools and support to implement CITES already exist for governments once listings pass,” says @WCSsharks. Read more: bit.ly/3M1qTnS

Markets are still selling fins from iconic #sharks and #rays. How can @CITES #CoP20 deliver the protections these species need? Learn more: bit.ly/4nEs0Hc

LISTEN: Despite over a decade of protections, a widespread illegal trade in shark and rays persists. This underscores the importance of the upcoming #CITESCOP20 meeting, where governments have the opportunity to take stronger action. 🔊 apple.co/4nShUmo

Despite over a decade of international protections, a widespread illegal trade in CITES-listed sharks remains, a new WCS co-authored study reveals. Upcoming #CITESCoP20 provides an opportunity to address. Read more: bit.ly/3WGuha2

Despite protections, endangered #sharks continue to be traded in large numbers.🚨 SCF grantees found high presence of oceanic whitetip shark fins in Hong Kong, bolstering calls for full trade bans at @CITES #CoP20 to protect these iconic species. Read more: bit.ly/3WGuha2 📸: Alexander Schmidt

International trade protections from @CITES have proven valuable to helping sharks and rays in the past. The upcoming #CITESCoP20 meeting is a major opportunity to make further progress. wcs.org/cites-cop20

Mining the Deep-Sea Could Further Threaten Endangered #Sharks and Rays | By @ECAlberts for @MongabayOrg Luke Warwick agreed that deep-sea mining introduced the risk of metal accumulation and metal toxicity. news.mongabay.com/2025/10/mi… @WCSsharks #conservation #bioaccumulation

Oceanic whitetip sharks: ~80% decline in 3 generations Whale sharks: ~50% decline in 75 years Manta & devil rays: up to 99% decline in some regions A CITES Appendix I listing would ban international commercial trade. Keep them in our oceans, not on the market. Sign: only.one/act/cites-2025