The 20th Conference of the Parties (CoP) of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), the global forum where governments set the rules for international wildlife trade, concluded on 5 December 2025 with WWF welcoming outcomes that advance protection for species such as sharks and rays. However, the NGO also acknowledged there were a few disappointments – notably, the EU’s proposal to list all eel species on Appendix II was rejected by a wide margin.
WWF European Policy Office applauded the adoption of all proposals to better protect sharks and rays, building on the success of CITES CoP19. It also praised parties for showing unprecedented support to effectively prohibit international trade of whale sharks, manta and devil rays, oceanic whitetip sharks, guitarfishes and wedgefishes.
They also agreed to improve control and monitoring of trade for gulper, tope and smooth-hound sharks.
These decisions are important steps towards recovering fast-declining European sharks and rays from man-made threats such as fisheries and habitat loss, WWF said.
But the European Union’s and Panama’s proposal to list all anguillid eel species in Appendix II – designed to ensure the legality and sustainability of traded species – did not receive the same support.
WWF said that with anguillid eel species almost indistinguishable, the proposal aimed to support enforcement efforts by requiring permits for trade in all eel species to better protect the critically endangered European eel, the only one currently listed in Appendix II.
“Eel trafficking is one of the most lucrative forms of wildlife crime, valued at up to €3 billion according to Europol. We are disappointed that the proposal for stronger protection did not gain the necessary support, as it would have also safeguarded other eel species in decline due to their use as substitutes for the European eel. However, we welcome the new resolution on eel trade, conservation, and management, which will keep global attention and cooperation focused on these vulnerable species,” said Audrey Chambaudet, Wildlife Trade & Wildlife Crime Policy Officer at the WWF European Policy Office.
CITES CoPs take place only every three to four years and mark a key moment for the future of thousands of species protected under the convention.
