At the 20th meeting, the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) added all Mustelus species to Appendix II of CITES with an 18-month delayed implementation, effective June 5, 2027. Mustelus species include smooth dogfish, Florida smoothhound, and Gulf smoothhound sharks.
The international trade of species included in Appendix II requires the issuance of CITES export permits or re-export certificates by the exporting/re-exporting country. A permit may be issued when the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), the lead agency for CITES implementation in the United States, determines that a specimen was acquired legally, and that its trade is not detrimental to its survival in the wild.
The species included in Appendix II are vulnerable to overexploitation but not necessarily at risk of extinction. They include “look-alike species” that are difficult to distinguish in trade. Although the Atlantic and Gulf of America smoothhound shark complexes consist of healthy shark stocks, the entire Mustelus genus was included in the Appendix II listing because their products in trade (e.g., meat, dressed carcasses, and dried fins) are similar in appearance to those of the tope shark (Galeorhinus galeus), Patagonian narrownose smoothhound (Mustelus schmitti), and common smoothhound (M. mustelus).
This means that, as of June 5, 2027 specific permits will be required from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) to import, export, or re-export smoothhound sharks. Information on the requirements and implementation of this permit can be found on the USFWS website.
More information on how CITES works for sharks is provided on the CITES website.
How will dealers be affected?
If you are a dealer and you plan to engage in international trade of smoothhound sharks (e.g., importing, exporting, or re-exporting), including the parts and products of this species, you will need to apply for and obtain appropriate CITES documents as of June 5, 2027.
Please note, imports of specimens of CITES species must:
- Have proper documentation
- Be brought into ports designated by USFWS
When will this go into effect?
This will become effective June 5, 2027.
Does this affect the product I have now?
Yes. If you have any smoothhound sharks, including smoothhound shark fins, that are landed before June 5, 2027, you MUST obtain a Pre-Convention Certificate before you can export that product. That certificate must show that the sharks were landed and/or obtained before the June 5, 2027, implementation date.
How do I get CITES permits?
An explanation of the overall CITES permitting process can be found on the USFWS website.
How do I get CITES permits?
USFWS will be conducting outreach to affected industries in the coming months. Questions about CITES can be directed to the USFWS Division of Management Authority:
Phone: (703) 358-2095
Email: managementauthority@fws.gov
