2025: A Pivotal Year for Sharks
- Naiara Budia Pinero
- Jan 1
- 4 min read
Wins, warnings, and what comes next
2025 has been a defining year for sharks and rays — one marked by groundbreaking research, major global policy wins, and stark reminders of the threats sharks continue to face. This year underscored why shark conservation matters and why action, not awareness alone, is essential.
Below is a snapshot of the biggest shark conservation moments of 2025 and what they mean for the future of shark protection.
Key Wins for Sharks in 2025
Advancing Shark Science
In early 2025, researchers tagged the largest great white shark ever recorded in the Atlantic, expanding our scientific understanding of this iconic species. These kinds of discoveries help map critical habitats, migration routes, and breeding areas, all of which are essential for effective conservation and fisheries management.
Science-based data is one of the most powerful tools we have for protecting sharks — it informs decision-makers, guides policy, and underpins sustainable management strategies.
Citizen Science: When Every Sighting Counts
One of the most impactful trends in 2025 continued to be the rise of citizen science. Divers, snorkellers, recreational ocean users, and enthusiasts around the world contributed underwater photos and observations that help scientists track individual sharks and rays over time.
For example:
Leopard shark photo ID projects are helping researchers understand local movements and site fidelity in the Andaman Sea. https://www.sharkguardian.org/zebra-shark-reseach
Whale shark identification contributions allow scientists to monitor global populations, migration patterns, and long-term trends. https://www.sharkguardian.org/whale-shark-research
These images aren’t just pretty pictures — they’re scientific data points that inform research priorities, conservation strategies, and policy decisions.
A Major Global Win at CITES
One of the most significant conservation milestones of 2025 came at the CITES CoP20 — the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) — a global treaty that regulates international trade in wildlife to ensure it is legal, sustainable, and traceable. CITES works by listing species in three categories (Appendices I, II, and III) that determine the level of trade control required.
In December 2025, more than 70 shark and ray species received strengthened protections under CITES — one of the most comprehensive waves of trade regulation ever adopted for marine animals.
Why this matters:
International trade is a major driver of shark decline. Many sharks and rays are targeted for their fins, meat, gill plates, and other products that enter global markets.
Trade regulation gives countries legal tools to intercept illegal products and enforce sustainable practices.
Protections at CITES don’t just help a single species — they help entire ecosystems by reducing pressure on top predators and keystone species.
CITES protections represent a global commitment to shark and ray conservation. However, implementation and enforcement at national and local levels will determine how much this win translates into real change in the oceans. To learn more about what CITES is and how it works, visit the official CITES website: https://cites.org.
Leopard Sharks: Science, Recovery, and Hope
One of the most meaningful stories of 2025 has come from leopard shark recovery efforts in the Andaman Sea. Once common in the region, these sharks saw drastic declines due to overfishing and habitat loss. This year, researchers and local partners made real progress in returning carefully monitored individuals to the wild and improving our understanding of their ecology.
This work shows what’s possible when science, community engagement, and conservation action come together — and offers a hopeful model for other regions where shark populations have crashed.
Collaboration: Conservation Works Best Together
A defining trend of 2025 was how widely collaboration across organisations and communities deepened. Shark protection is no longer the domain of single NGOs acting alone. Instead, real impact is happening where:
NGOs and research institutions share data and strategies
Local communities are empowered as conservation partners
Dive centres, citizen scientists, and regional advocates work together
These collaborations matter because they combine local knowledge with scientific research, build shared responsibility, and support solutions that benefit both wildlife and coastal communities.
At Shark Guardian, collaboration sits at the heart of everything we do — from education and citizen science to research and policy advocacy.
The Ongoing Threats Sharks Still Face
Despite progress in 2025, sharks and rays remain under intense pressure. The biggest drivers of decline continue to be:
Overfishing, both targeted and as bycatch
Habitat destruction, especially from destructive fishing methods
Climate change, which alters ocean conditions and species distributions
International trade, which continues to create demand for shark parts
These threats are interconnected — and they require coordinated solutions across borders, sectors, and communities.
Looking Ahead to 2026
As we move into 2026, Shark Guardian’s focus remains clear and stronger than ever. Our priority is to expand education and outreach, reaching even more schools, dive centers, and youth groups worldwide with engaging shark and ocean conservation programs that inspire long-term stewardship. We will continue to support science-led conservation through our global citizen science platforms — including our shark and ray ID projects and Marine Tracker app — ensuring that public data directly contributes to research and protection efforts. By working closely with local stakeholders, we aim to empower communities to become leaders in sustainable marine conservation, creating real economic and ecological benefits through initiatives such as community-led monitoring and responsible ecotourism. Our shark diving expeditions will continue to raise awareness, collect valuable data, and connect people directly with the species we strive to protect. And finally, we’ll hold governments and industries accountable, advocating for stronger legislation, enforcement, and ethical practices that prioritize the long-term survival of sharks and ocean ecosystems.
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