A new study published in Science Advances reveals widespread non-compliance with international trade protections for endangered sharks, showing that global wildlife-trade rules are being routinely violated in one of the world’s largest and highest value marine markets.
Alex Schmidt
When it comes to protecting endangered wildlife, paper promises often crumble in the face of profit. A new study published in Science Advances reveals that global trade rules meant to safeguard some of the ocean’s most imperiled sharks are being routinely ignored. Despite international bans and restrictions under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, fins from species like hammerheads and oceanic whitetip sharks continue to appear in alarming numbers in Hong Kong’s bustling markets, what is known as the epicenter of the global shark fin trade.
The CITES treaty, signed by 185 nations, is meant to ensure that international wildlife trade doesn’t push species closer to extinction. Species listed under Appendix II can be traded only if proven to be sustainable and legal, while those on Appendix I are off-limits to commercial trade altogether. Yet, the reality uncovered by researchers from Mote Marine Laboratory, Florida International University, and the Wildlife Conservation Society paints a picture of loopholes, weak enforcement, and ongoing exploitation. Using DNA analysis on more than 16,000 fins collected between 2015 and 2021, the researchers found fins from CITES-listed species in 6.5% of all samples. At first glance, that number may not sound catastrophic, but when compared to official CITES trade reports, the gap becomes staggering. Oceanic whitetip (Carcharhinus longimanus) fins were found to be 70 times more common in the market than what governments have documented, and hammerheads appeared 10 times more frequently than reported. In short, over 95% of trade in these critically endangered sharks is illegal.
Thpse numbers are definitely catastrophic.
“This has been the situation for nearly a decade,” said Dr. Demian Chapman, co-author of the study. “Unless countries take stronger actions, these species may be doomed.” Lead author Dr. Diego Cardeñosa called it “a systemic failure to uphold existing protections,” with his team’s work showing that shark parts continue to move across international borders despite being banned or restricted for years. Many exporting countries claim zero trade in these species, yet Cardeñosa shows the genetic evidence proves otherwise. That disconnect highlights just how difficult it is to track, let alone control, the sprawling global trade in wildlife products. CITES’ effectiveness hinges on whether participating nations actually enforce it; while the treaty provides the framework, it cannot police borders, inspect shipments, or prosecute offenders. That responsibility falls to individual governments — and according to this study, many are failing. And many fingers are pointing at Hong Kong, which remains the world’s largest hub for the shark fin trade, a position that makes it both a key player and a pressure point. While local authorities have strengthened some import controls in recent years, enforcement gaps remain. Shipments containing fins from protected species still slip through customs, often misdeclared under vague product labels or mixed with fins from non-listed species.
Luke Warwick, Director of Shark and Ray Conservation at WCS and a co-author on the paper, believes the key lies in accountability. “CITES is the strongest global tool we have to ensure wildlife trade isn’t driving species toward extinction. When it’s implemented well, it works,” he said. “Forty years ago, green turtles were critically endangered. After global trade stopped, their populations rebounded. That’s the power of CITES.” He and other researchers hope that upcoming CITES meetings will consider upgrading protections for sharks like the oceanic whitetip to Appendix I, which would ban all commercial trade. But even that step won’t be enough without meaningful enforcement. Listing a species on paper is one thing; ensuring it stays out of trade channels is another entirely.
DNA testing has become one of the most powerful tools in uncovering this hidden trade. Much like forensic work at a crime scene, scientists can trace fins back to the species (and sometimes even the region) where the shark was caught. These methods not only expose illegal activity but also offer a path toward greater transparency. Could a future where every shipment is genetically verified be within reach? And if so, what would it take for countries to adopt such measures consistently? The study’s findings are also raising broader questions about how we value marine life and the systems meant to protect it. How can a global treaty remain credible if violations are this widespread? Can nations with limited resources realistically monitor every container that passes through their ports? And what role should consumers play in breaking demand for endangered species products?
There are glimmers of hope. Public awareness around the shark fin trade has grown, with many restaurants removing shark fin soup from menus and major shipping companies refusing to transport fins. Some countries are introducing electronic permitting and traceability tools to better track legal trade. Yet, progress remains uneven, and time is running out for some species. Oceanic whitetip sharks, once abundant across tropical seas, have seen their populations plummet by more than 98% in recent decades. Their fins, long prized for their large size and distinctive shape, have become symbols of both luxury and loss. Ultimately, this new publication is a wake-up call that there is a grave disconnect between commitment and compliance. The question now is whether governments will act on that knowledge or allow loopholes and apathy to dictate the fate of yet another ocean predator. Because if the world’s most endangered sharks are still being sold openly despite a decade of international protection, perhaps it isn’t the sharks that are failing to adapt… it’s us.
