Tensions between the fishing sector and marine conservation groups have reached a new critical point. Various environmental organizations have raised their voices to demand an immediate halt to the capture, commercialization, and export of all three species of the thresher shark (Alopias spp.).

The trigger is a radical shift in their international legal protection status, which forces signatory nations to drastically overhaul their fishing policies.

The Turning Point: Appendix I of the CMS

On June 27, 2026, a crucial amendment to the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS) officially came into force. This modification placed the thresher shark into Appendix I, the category that grants the highest level of protection globally.

What does this mean in practice? As a binding international treaty, member states—including Costa Rica—assume the legal commitment to:

  Strictly prohibit the intentional and commercial capture of the species.

  Completely halt the export of its products and byproducts (such as fins and meat).

  Implement urgent conservation plans to protect their critical habitats.

The Environmentalist Complaint: A Loophole Defying the Law

Despite the clarity of the international mandate, ecological organizations report that local fishing authorities have continued to allow the landing and sale of these sharks, shielded by outdated technical guidelines and quotas.

 “Continuing the commercialization of the thresher shark not only puts a species on the brink of extinction at further risk, but it also exposes the country to severe international sanctions for treaty non-compliance,” stated spokespeople from the conservation sector.

The thresher shark was already listed on local threatened species registries due to the drastic decline of its populations over recent decades, driven mainly by bycatch and the lucrative Asian fin market. However, its new standing within the CMS eliminates any legal gray area: its commercial exploitation must end.

The strict enforcement of this regulation represents a complex challenge for regional fishing communities. Thresher sharks often get entangled in nets and longlines intended for other commercial species like tuna or mahi-mahi.

To comply with international law without crippling the fishing economy, experts point out that governments must act urgently on two fronts:

 1. Release Training: Instructing fishing fleets on techniques for the quick and safe release of specimens caught accidentally.

 2. Satellite and Scientific Monitoring: Increasing transparency on the high seas to ensure that incidental catches do not end up camouflaged in local markets.

The future of the thresher shark now depends on how quickly institutions transition from paper to action on the water. The conservation clock is ticking.

What are your thoughts on this new regulation? Do you think governments will successfully balance marine protection with the livelihoods of fishermen? Leave your comment below!

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