A whale shark found dead in Salido, West Sumatra. All commercial international trade in whale sharks has been banned. AFP
A whale shark found dead in Salido, West Sumatra. All commercial international trade in whale sharks has been banned. AFP
A whale shark found dead in Salido, West Sumatra. All commercial international trade in whale sharks has been banned. AFP
A whale shark found dead in Salido, West Sumatra. All commercial international trade in whale sharks has been banned. AFP

Shark fishing ban to bring endangered species back from brink


Nick Webster
  • English
  • Arabic

Shark conservation has been boosted by a new international trade ban that offers greater protection for 70 species of sharks and rays.

Restrictions on shark and ray fishing were announced at a major conference on protecting wildlife in trade.

The UN Conference of the Parties to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES Cop20) is taking place in Uzbekistan, with 185 countries participating.

Whale sharks, and all manta and devil rays have been upgraded to Appendix I, which represents the highest level of protection by banning all commercial international trade of these species and their products.

Whale sharks have been seen swimming in shallow waters off the UAE.

Protection agreements were passed to include a full international trade ban on oceanic whitecap sharks, manta and devil rays, and whale sharks, as well as zero export quotas for wedgefish and giant guitarfish.

A fisherman with a manta ray in Havana, Cuba. AFP
A fisherman with a manta ray in Havana, Cuba. AFP

Other restrictions include regulated trade permits for gulper, smoothhound and tope sharks.

The listings closed major loopholes in the international market for fins, gill plates, meat and other products. These long-standing pressures have accelerated population collapse.

Globally, more than 37 per cent of shark and ray species are threatened with extinction, while pelagic sharks such as hammerheads and blue sharks have declined by more than 70 per cent in 50 years.

Reef sharks are functionally extinct on one in five coral reefs surveyed worldwide, due to overfishing and habitat loss.

Conservationists hailed the vote as a significant moment for marine conservation.

“This is a landmark victory,” said Luke Warwick, director of shark and ray conservation at the Wildlife Conservation Society.

“These decisions could not be more urgent: sharks and rays are the second-most imperilled group of species on the planet, and many are running out of time.

“These animals are vital to the health and balance of our oceans, shaping entire marine ecosystems integrity.”

New hope

Mr Warwick said the decision offered hope of pulling the most vulnerable species back from the brink of extinction, as long as the new regulations are properly enforced.

“This vote gives these species a real chance at recovery, and now we must carry this momentum through into swift implementation. The world chose action over extinction and recognised sharks as essential marine wildlife, and these decisions offer real hope for the future of our oceans. We cannot let up now.”

Conservation efforts in the UAE have focused on captive breeding programmes for endangered shark species, to revitalise populations in the Arabian Gulf.

In 2024, eleven Arabian carpet sharks and four honeycomb stingrays were released into the Jebel Ali marine reserve as part of a government conservation scheme.

The release of Arabian carpet sharks and honeycomb stingrays at Jebel Ali Marine Reserve, Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National
The release of Arabian carpet sharks and honeycomb stingrays at Jebel Ali Marine Reserve, Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Scientists have also spotted an endangered bramble shark off the UAE coast, a sign of success for local conservation efforts and coral reef regeneration programmes.

Dozens of new coral reefs have been planted off the east coast in an attempt to revitalise the marine environments in which sharks thrive.

All nine species of manta and devil rays are threatened with extinction, according to the latest IUCN Red List update in October.

Although manta rays were first listed in Appendix II in 2013, populations have continued to decline by as much as 92 per cent in some regions.

Shut down illegal trade

Trade in the gill plates of devil rays has not been effectively regulated or kept within sustainable limits and there are significant levels of unreported and illegal trade.

Due to very few regulations on catching deep-sea sharks, populations of gulper sharks have plummeted by 80 per cent.

The sharks grow slowly, mature late in life, and produce very few young, so populations are slow to recover once depleted.

Fins from endangered whale sharks, the world’s largest fish, continue to be traded internationally as a luxury food item.

Conservationists hope the move to categorise them in Appendix I will shut down commercial trade and provide a critical safeguard against further declines.

“For too long, sharks that have roamed our oceans for millions of years have been slaughtered for their fins and meat,” said Barbara Slee, senior programme manager at the International Fund for Animal Welfare.

“People may fear sharks, but the truth is we pose a far greater threat to them, with more than 100 million killed every year.

“These new protections will help shift that balance and recognise and honour these sharks as more than just fishery commodities.”

Wicked: For Good

Director: Jon M Chu

Starring: Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo, Jonathan Bailey, Jeff Goldblum, Michelle Yeoh, Ethan Slater

Rating: 4/5

Essentials

The flights
Etihad and Emirates fly direct from the UAE to Delhi from about Dh950 return including taxes.
The hotels
Double rooms at Tijara Fort-Palace cost from 6,670 rupees (Dh377), including breakfast.
Doubles at Fort Bishangarh cost from 29,030 rupees (Dh1,641), including breakfast. Doubles at Narendra Bhawan cost from 15,360 rupees (Dh869). Doubles at Chanoud Garh cost from 19,840 rupees (Dh1,122), full board. Doubles at Fort Begu cost from 10,000 rupees (Dh565), including breakfast.
The tours 
Amar Grover travelled with Wild Frontiers. A tailor-made, nine-day itinerary via New Delhi, with one night in Tijara and two nights in each of the remaining properties, including car/driver, costs from £1,445 (Dh6,968) per person.

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COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
 
Started: 2021
 
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
 
Based: Tunisia 
 
Sector: Water technology 
 
Number of staff: 22 
 
Investment raised: $4 million 
Company%C2%A0profile
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What can victims do?

Always use only regulated platforms

Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion

Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)

Report to local authorities

Warn others to prevent further harm

Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence

Day 3, Abu Dhabi Test: At a glance

Moment of the day Just three balls remained in an exhausting day for Sri Lanka’s bowlers when they were afforded some belated cheer. Nuwan Pradeep, unrewarded in 15 overs to that point, let slip a seemingly innocuous delivery down the legside. Babar Azam feathered it behind, and Niroshan Dickwella dived to make a fine catch.

Stat of the day - 2.56 Shan Masood and Sami Aslam are the 16th opening partnership Pakistan have had in Tests in the past five years. That turnover at the top of the order – a new pair every 2.56 Test matches on average – is by far the fastest rate among the leading Test sides. Masood and Aslam put on 114 in their first alliance in Abu Dhabi.

The verdict Even by the normal standards of Test cricket in the UAE, this has been slow going. Pakistan’s run-rate of 2.38 per over is the lowest they have managed in a Test match in this country. With just 14 wickets having fallen in three days so far, it is difficult to see 26 dropping to bring about a result over the next two.

Who's who in Yemen conflict

Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government

Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council

Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south

Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory

Film: Raid
Dir: Rajkumar Gupta
Starring: Ajay Devgn, Ileana D'cruz and Saurabh Shukla

Verdict:  Three stars 

Other key dates
  • Finals draw: December 2
  • Finals (including semi-finals and third-placed game): June 5–9, 2019
  • Euro 2020 play-off draw: November 22, 2019
  • Euro 2020 play-offs: March 26–31, 2020
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
What vitamins do we know are beneficial for living in the UAE

Vitamin D: Highly relevant in the UAE due to limited sun exposure; supports bone health, immunity and mood.Vitamin B12: Important for nerve health and energy production, especially for vegetarians, vegans and individuals with absorption issues.Iron: Useful only when deficiency or anaemia is confirmed; helps reduce fatigue and support immunity.Omega-3 (EPA/DHA): Supports heart health and reduces inflammation, especially for those who consume little fish.

MATCH INFO

Uefa Champions League final:

Who: Real Madrid v Liverpool
Where: NSC Olimpiyskiy Stadium, Kiev, Ukraine
When: Saturday, May 26, 10.45pm (UAE)
TV: Match on BeIN Sports

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if you go

The flights
Emirates flies to Delhi with fares starting from around Dh760 return, while Etihad fares cost about Dh783 return. From Delhi, there are connecting flights to Lucknow. 
Where to stay
It is advisable to stay in Lucknow and make a day trip to Kannauj. A stay at the Lebua Lucknow hotel, a traditional Lucknowi mansion, is recommended. Prices start from Dh300 per night (excluding taxes). 

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Greatest Royal Rumble results

John Cena pinned Triple H in a singles match

Cedric Alexander retained the WWE Cruiserweight title against Kalisto

Matt Hardy and Bray Wyatt win the Raw Tag Team titles against Cesaro and Sheamus

Jeff Hardy retained the United States title against Jinder Mahal

Bludgeon Brothers retain the SmackDown Tag Team titles against the Usos

Seth Rollins retains the Intercontinental title against The Miz, Finn Balor and Samoa Joe

AJ Styles remains WWE World Heavyweight champion after he and Shinsuke Nakamura are both counted out

The Undertaker beats Rusev in a casket match

Brock Lesnar retains the WWE Universal title against Roman Reigns in a steel cage match

Braun Strowman won the 50-man Royal Rumble by eliminating Big Cass last

 

 

Janet Yellen's Firsts

  • In 2014, she became the first woman to lead the US Federal Reserve 
  • In 1999, she became the first female chair of the White House Council of Economic Advisers 
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WOMAN AND CHILD

Director: Saeed Roustaee

Starring: Parinaz Izadyar, Payman Maadi

Rating: 4/5

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Like a Fading Shadow

Antonio Muñoz Molina

Translated from the Spanish by Camilo A. Ramirez

Tuskar Rock Press (pp. 310)

Company%20Profile
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MATCH INFO

Manchester United 1 (Fernandes pen 2') Tottenham Hotspur 6 (Ndombele 4', Son 7' & 37' Kane (30' & pen 79, Aurier 51')

Man of the match Son Heung-min (Tottenham)

Company%20profile
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Most F1 world titles

7 — Michael Schumacher (1994, ’95, 2000, ’01 ’02, ’03, ’04)

7 — Lewis Hamilton (2008, ’14,’15, ’17, ’18, ’19, ’20)

5 — Juan Manuel Fangio (1951, ’54, ’55, ’56, ’57)

4 — Alain Prost (1985, ’86, ’89, ’93)

4 — Sebastian Vettel (2010, ’11, ’12, ’13)

Call of Duty: Black Ops 6

Developer: Treyarch, Raven Software
Publisher:  Activision
Console: PlayStation 4 & 5, Windows, Xbox One & Series X/S
Rating: 3.5/5

The nine articles of the 50-Year Charter

1. Dubai silk road

2.  A geo-economic map for Dubai

3. First virtual commercial city

4. A central education file for every citizen

5. A doctor to every citizen

6. Free economic and creative zones in universities

7. Self-sufficiency in Dubai homes

8. Co-operative companies in various sectors

­9: Annual growth in philanthropy

Updated: December 05, 2025, 7:25 AM