At the CITES CoP 2022, a pivotal proposal co-authored by the diligent team at Sea Save Foundation achieved a resounding success — the comprehensive inclusion of the Bonnethead shark and all hammerhead species in Family Sphyrnidae within CITES Appendix II as lookalike species. The Bonnethead shark (Sphyrna tiburo), which has suffered alarming global population reductions of up to 79%, is now officially classified as Endangered on the IUCN Red List. In some locales, these sharks have seen more than an 80% decline over three generations, with instances of local extinctions — a dire situation that clearly surpasses the CITES criteria for marine species conservation urgency.
Reflecting on the actions of CITES CoP16 in 2013, which brought three large-bodied hammerhead species under the protective umbrella of Appendix II, the Sea Save team recognized the urgency to close a critical loophole. The international fin trade had evolved, now increasingly exploiting smaller and less protected species, including the Bonnethead and other small-bodied hammerheads.
The Sea Save team’s insights and advocacy efforts were instrumental in presenting compelling evidence to CITES Parties and the Animals Committee. As a result, a comprehensive proposal, championed by Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, the European Union, and Panama, was set forth to list all nine described hammerhead species under Appendix II, thereby safeguarding these iconic species from the shadows of illegal trade. This amendment not only secures a future for the Bonnethead shark but fortifies the global commitment to marine conservation. The Sea Save team’s presence at the negotiating table was a testament to their enduring dedication to marine conservation and their strategic influence in shaping a more sustainable trajectory for our ocean’s biodiversity.