Picture yourself on a dive. The water is calm. Suddenly a shadow passes overhead — a manta ray, wings stretching wider than you are tall. Or maybe it’s a whale shark, the gentle giant of the ocean, slowly cruising by. For many divers, these are once-in-a-lifetime encounters. Sadly, they’re also encounters that are becoming harder to find.
Despite decades of conservation work, manta rays, whale sharks and oceanic whitetip sharks are still under serious threat. And this November, the global dive community has a chance to help change that.
What’s Happening at CITES CoP20?
This November, governments from around the world will meet in Uzbekistan for CITES CoP20 (the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species). They will vote on proposals to move manta rays, whale sharks and oceanic whitetip sharks from Appendix II (species not immediately threatened with extinction) to Appendix I (species threatened with extinction).
Appendix I protections would prohibit all international commercial trade, offering these species the strongest safeguard possible.
- Whale sharks were listed under CITES back in 2002.
- Oceanic whitetip sharks and manta rays joined the list in 2013.
But here’s the problem – these protections haven’t been strong enough. Populations have continued to decline, driven by trade, overfishing and habitat loss. In fact, whale shark numbers have dramatically dropped globally since their listing.
With the support of Blancpain, the PADI AWARE Foundation is the only organization representing the dive industry at CITES, calling on governments to vote in favor of all shark and ray proposals.
Why This Matters to Divers
For divers, this isn’t just about policy. These are the animals that make our underwater experiences unforgettable. But these species also play vital roles in healthy marine ecosystems:
- Apex predators, like the oceanic whitetip, help regulate food webs.
- Filter feeders, like mantas and whale sharks, support productivity and balance in the ocean.
- Reef sharks help maintain coral reef resilience in the face of climate change.
Losing them would reshape the ocean as we know it.
And that’s why your voice matters!
Take Action: Sign the CITES Petition
From 1-21 November, PADI AWARE is rallying the global dive community to secure the highest level of protection (Appendix I) for manta rays, whale sharks and oceanic whitetip sharks, prohibiting international commercial trade. To achieve this, we are launching a global petition calling for stronger protections through CITES. The aim is to get 20,000 signatures in the three weeks leading up to CITES.
Your name can help ensure governments vote “yes.”
A Turning Point for Sharks and Rays
Sharks and rays are among the most threatened animals in our ocean, with over a third of all species at risk of extinction. But divers have a unique role to play in their recovery.
This November, let’s make our voices heard at CITES. And in 2026, let’s keep the momentum going with the Global Shark & Ray Census.
Together, we can give these species the future they deserve and keep those unforgettable underwater encounters alive for generations to come.
