Policy Position and Actions

@Frogfish Photography

Call to Action! April 2026

After a busy end to 2025, with new international fisheries measures for White and Basking Sharks at ICCAT in November, and the uplisting of Oceanic Whitetips, Whale Sharks and Mantas to CITES Appendix I at the December CoP, policy action continues apace in 2026. The 15th C0P (Conference of Parties) of the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species (CMS) in Brazil last month, ended new protections for
four shark species: thresher sharks (Alopias vulpinus), scalloped hammerhead sharks (Sphyrna lewini) and great hammerhead sharks (Sphyrna mokarran) were added to Appendix I, and the Patagonian narrownose smoothhound (Mustelus schmitti) was added
to Appendix II.

All these listings are a positive move in the right direction for international collaboration in shark conservation. The challenge for conservationists now is to ensure that these measures are implemented effectively to ensure that paper promises follow up into real change for sharks.

Over the coming months the SAFE Shark and Ray policy team will continue to work, alongside external conservation partners, to influence international policy action for sharks. And we will, of course, keep you updated on progress. Closer to home, we continue to be concerned about the lack of management for Cownose Rays on the East Coast. We are working on a plan for a campaign to advocate for better protections through the Atlantic States Marine Fish Management Commission.

We are looking for partners across the 13 states from Maine to Florida who could join our campaign. If you think you could be interested, or want to know more please fill in this quick survey and we’ll contact you very soon.

SAFE SHARK AND RAY POLICY ACTIONS

The SAFE Shark and Ray Conservation Program Plan sets out the following broad aims under the Influencing Conservation Policy pillar of work:

Empowering expertise within zoos and aquariums to advocate for policy and management processes
Expanding, engaging and aligning with international partners to leverage our influence and impact
Aligning with partners to address global shark trade and communicate demand issues
Coordinating global efforts on international fisheries policies

The action plan sets out specific goals to advance the above aims. The first goal is to Activate the global network of aquariums and zoos to collectively voice support for global fisheries and species-specific recovery policy actions. This goal will be delivered through the following actions:

Identify and prioritize key annual international fisheries and species recovery policy opportunities.
Engage SAFE S/R partners involved in shark/fisheries policy to identify strengths and opportunities for collective action.
Coordinate timely and relevant policy support action engaging all levels of AZA and partner institutions as a collective voice.
Drive impactful & measurable public campaigns to engage visitors and followers in support of policy actions.

Supporting our SAFE partners in developing policy capability, confidence and action is a key goal. We see this role as:

Identifying and coordinating support for key international conservation policy actions in collaboration with internal and external partners –

Annual review of opportunities and issues – CITES, Regional Fisheries Management Organizations (RFMOs) and Conservation of Migratory Species
Agreed plan of action communicated with SAFE partners
Coordination of responses and public actions

Coordinating advice and responding to national consultations and proposals in partnership with AZA Government Affairs.

Consult with AZA Government Affairs Committee on a case by case basis
Gather expert opinion and positions
Agreement of submission text & sharing with SAFE partners

Supporting partners in developing actions and forming partnerships for local/regional level issues or actions.

Provide a communication channel for SAFE partners to report local issues
Gather expert opinion and aid in position development

Actions to Date

Since 2020, the SAFE Shark and Ray policy team have been collaborating with external partners and coordinating responses to national issues as well as encouraging US support for international fisheries policy actions:

2021 – US Dept of Commerce – to support Shark League ICCAT advocacy efforts for a Retention ban on Shortfin Mako in the North Atlantic (Outcome ICCAT Nov 2021: Proposal passed for retention ban)
2022 – US Dept of Interior/Dept of Commerce – to support WCS advocacy for listing of requiem and hammerhead sharks on CITES Appendix II (Outcome: Adopted)
2023 – NOAA – response to consultation on prohibition of retention of Oceanic Whitetips in US waters and Hammerheads in US Caribbean waters.
2023 – NOAA – to support Shark League ICCAT advocacy for continuation of Shortfin Mako Retention ban, Blue Shark catch limits, protection for Mantas and Whale Sharks in Atlantic and strengthened high seas finning regulation (Outcome ICCAT Nov 2023: Mako upheld, Blue Shark limits agreed, Manta/Whale Shark passed to 2024, Fins Naturally Attached not adopted)
2024 – NOAA – response to a consultation on a draft recovery plan for Giant Manta Ray in US waters
2025 – NOAA – response to a consultation on the Daggernose Shark in US waters
2025 – NOAA – response to initiation of 5-year status reviews for 6 global elasmobranch species including the Argentine angel shark, Spiny angel shark, Striped smoothhound shark, Narrownose smoothhound shark, Common guitarfish, and Blackchin guitarfish

THE BIG SHARK PLEDGE

The Big Shark Pledge is and international campaign coordinated by SAFE partners, Shark Trust. The campaign is recruiting a community of support for high seas sharks. By signing the pledge, supporters will add their voice to the call for better management of Oceanic Sharks. And they will receive policy updates and opportunities to influence policymakers at key decision points.

Your institution can become a partner by signing the pledge and using your influence to engage your visitors and social media followers to join the community.

Aquariums and Zoos engaging our visitors in conservation action to save sharks is a critical piece for saving species. Download the partner pack for more information and access to downloadable resources to enable you to join the Big Shark Pledge.

Check out this latest video with tips on how you can get your visitors, both in-person and online, involved in this important effort!