The International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) has adopted a series of new measures to safeguard some of the Atlantic’s most vulnerable shark species. At this year’s annual meeting in Seville, member nations approved new retention bans for basking and white sharks, imposed stricter limits on South Atlantic shortfin mako catches, and advanced key compliance processes. However, efforts to reform ICCAT’s long-debated shark finning ban failed yet again.
The 2025 session featured a record number of shark-focused proposals, underscoring the growing concern among scientists and conservation groups over increasingly fragile populations.
A major decision came with ICCAT’s agreement to prohibit the retention of basking and white sharks—two species considered globally threatened. Advocates say the bans, led by the United Kingdom, close critical loopholes and reinforce international obligations.
“New retention bans for basking and white sharks will close gaps in the protection of these globally threatened species,” said Ali Hood, Director of Conservation at the Shark Trust. She added that the commitment to ensure prompt and careful release could lay the groundwork for new handling protocols to boost survival rates.
Updated stock assessments presented by ICCAT scientists showed that shortfin mako sharks continue to face unsustainable levels of fishing pressure. In response, member nations agreed to cut the South Atlantic catch limit by 50%, setting an annual cap of 1,000 metric tons, including both landed and discarded dead sharks.
While conservationists welcomed the reduction, they stressed that further action remains necessary.
“Shortfin makos are among the Atlantic’s most valuable yet vulnerable shark species,” said Sonja Fordham, President of Shark Advocates International. “We urge countries to improve reporting, reduce bycatch, and extend protections to other regions.”
ICCAT’s Compliance Committee highlighted mixed progress, noting that although several countries improved enforcement, significant non-compliance continues to weaken conservation efforts.
Mexico received commendation for new regulations aligning with long-standing ICCAT obligations.
“We’re encouraged to see years of work on compliance finally yielding results,” said Shannon Arnold, Associate Director at the Ecology Action Centre. However, she cautioned that ongoing non-compliance still threatens “highly threatened hammerhead and silky sharks,” urging stronger action from ICCAT.
For another year, attempts led by the EU and United States to strengthen ICCAT’s shark finning ban were blocked. The proposal—which would require all sharks to be landed with their fins naturally attached—was opposed by Japan and China, despite wide support from other member nations. The reform is widely recognized as an international best practice to prevent finning at sea.
While this year’s ICCAT meeting produced meaningful protections for several imperiled species and enhanced transparency on compliance, the continued failure to reform the finning ban highlights deep political divisions that hinder global progress.
With scientists issuing increasingly urgent warnings about shark population declines, conservation groups stress that strong diplomacy and full implementation of agreed measures will be essential in the months ahead.
