Dr. Merry Camhi, who directs WCS’s New York Seascape Program at the New York Aquarium, discusses challenges for sharks at large, and for one beleaguered East Coast species that is the subject of loopholes in shark-finning regulations.

State fishery managers unanimously approve world’s most lenient finning rules for region’s second largest shark fishery Alexandria, Virginia, May 22, 2013 -- Conservationists are denouncing yesterday’s decision by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) to ignore public concerns, advisory panel recommendations, and scientific evidence by voting to weaken an already lenient regulation on shark “finning” (slicing off a shark’s fins and discarding...

Proposals to protect five species of sharks, freshwater sawfish, and two manta ray species have been accepted by CITES. These protections are critical to ensuring that international trade does not threaten the survival of commercially valuable shark and ray species.

Five commercially valuable shark species, manta rays & freshwater sawfish listed  The following statement was issued today by WCS President and CEO Cristian Samper: The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) today celebrates the decision by an historic, broad group of nations from around the world to list five new sharks, freshwater sawfish, and two manta ray species for protection by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). This vote is a fi...

Historic shark conservation decisions still must be confirmed in plenary Bangkok, 11 March 2013. In a highly anticipated Committee vote today, proposals to list under CITES* five species of sharks were supported by more than the two-thirds majority of voting countries needed for adoption. Conservationists are pleased yet mindful that decisions must still be confirmed in the final plenary session later this week.“We are grateful that so many governments spoke unequivocally in support of CITES l...

Wildlife Conservation Society joins call on governments to list species of sharks and rays on CITES NEW YORK (March 6, 2013)—Government delegates to the 16th meeting of the 178 member States of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) convening in Bangkok, Thailand this week can help conserve some of the world’s most threatened sharks and rays—ancient, cartilaginous fish species that are under severe pressure globally from over-fishing –...

During the 2012 IUCN World Conservation Congress in Jeju, Korea, WCS urges government entities to protect sharks and rays from overfishing. WCS advocates improved management of fisheries, limits on catches of certain species, and increased CITES protections.

Wildlife Conservation Society and partners call for regulation of international trade in sharks and rays  JEJU, REPUBLIC OF KOREA, September 4, 2012—The Wildlife Conservation Society and over 35 government agency and NGO partners participating in IUCN’s World Conservation Congress this week are urging the world’s governments to take urgent steps to save the world’s sharks and rays from the relentless pressure of over-fishing for international trade.  WC...

Groundbreaking to Begin this Fall; Grand Opening Set for 2015  57,000 Square Foot  Exhibit to Feature Sharks, Rays, Sea Turtles and Thousands of Fish August 16, 2012--Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg and Wildlife Conservation Society President and CEO Cristián Samper today unveiled the design and announced new funding for the New York Aquarium “Ocean Wonders: Sharks!” building. The City’s Public Design Commission approved the design plan earlier this month for the 57,000 squa...

Whale shark expert Dr. Rachel Graham presented with award by HRH Princess Anne One of World’s Most Prestigious Conservation Awards    NEW YORK (May 13, 2011) – The Wildlife Conservation Society is pleased to announce that WCS shark conservationist, Rachel Graham, is this year’s winner of one of the world’s most prestigious prizes for grassroots nature co...