Right now, our Sea Save team is on the ground in Samarkand, Uzbekistan for CITES CoP20 — the once-every-three-years global meeting that decides the fate of threatened wildlife. For the next two weeks, governments will debate proposals that could change the future of our ocean.
If you want to follow what actually happens in these rooms — the wins, the setbacks, the drama, the species decisions in real time — you must sign up as a Sea Save Virtual Delegate. Otherwise, you’ll miss the inside updates that we only send to our core group during the conference. Some of our followers do not want to receive daily updates – so we created this special signup/
Here is what’s at stake, and what you’ll be following with us:
• Whale sharks
We are pushing to uplist them to Appendix I. This would shut down almost all international commercial trade in their parts. Whale sharks are slow to mature, easy to exploit, and disappearing in many regions. This is a rare chance to close global loopholes.
• Manta rays
Mantas reproduce slowly and are still hunted for their gill plates. Appendix I protection would cut off international markets and help stop the targeted fisheries that are collapsing their populations.
• Oceanic whitetip sharks
Once abundant, now critically endangered. An Appendix I uplisting would be the strongest global step we can take to stop their fins and meat from moving through international trade networks.
And beyond these three priorities, Virtual Delegates will also get updates on other marine proposals highlighted on our CITES CoP20 page — including protections for sea cucumbers, ornamental reef species, and the critically important totoaba/vaquita issue.
CITES only meets every three years. The decisions being made here will shape marine conservation through the end of the decade. If you aren’t signed up as a Virtual Delegate, you’ll miss the most important two weeks of ocean policy this cycle.
Join us at the Sea Save table. Come behind the scenes with us. See what truly happens when the world debates the future of endangered species.
With appreciation from Samarkand,
Phil, Georgienne, Jay, and Tobias
CITES CoP20, Uzbekistan