Press Release · Geneva, Switzerland
Sea Shepherd Conservation Society participated in the 81st Meeting of the Standing Committee of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) from November 2–6 in Geneva, Switzerland. CITES is an international agreement between governments. It aims to ensure that international trade in wild animals and plants is legal, sustainable and traceable, and does not threaten the survival of the species in the wild.
Led by Sea Shepherd’s President of the Board and CEO, Pritam Singh, the delegation held high-level meetings and conversations to share the frontlines and direct-action work of the organization to protect marine wildlife around the world.
Related to the protection of the Vaquita porpoise and totoaba fish, both endemic and endangered species of Mexico, Sea Shepherd issued the following statement:
CITES SC81 · Vaquita and Totoaba
Sea Shepherd Statement
Sea Shepherd welcomes the progress made by the Government of Mexico on their Compliance Action Plan (CAP) and remains committed to working on its effective implementation. We also acknowledge the new October 2026 Agreement for the Upper Gulf of California.
Sea Shepherd’s ships and crews are already working with the Government of Mexico to fully enforce the new Agreement. Through our on-the-water presence, we work with our partners to ensure that the Zero Tolerance Area, Gillnet Prohibition Zone and designated extension areas are free from gillnet fishing. Additionally, we continue each year working with the Government of Mexico and independent scientists to undertake both visual and acoustic surveys to determine current distribution of Vaquita and using this data to ensure the areas where Vaquitas are detected are free of gillnets.
Based on the progress made on the Compliance Action Plan (CAP) and the 2026 Agreement, the Standing Committee should forgo economic sanctions and ask Mexico to finalize the CAP and continue implementing the 2026 Agreement.
Sea Shepherd remains determined to make every effort alongside the Mexican Government to ensure a gillnet free habitat for the Vaquita.
Upper Gulf of California · Vaquita Defense
All details about the 81st Meeting of the CITES Standing Committee are available on the CITES website.
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About Sea Shepherd
Sea Shepherd Conservation Society is a US nonprofit that has defended marine wildlife and habitats since 1977. Working with governments, our ships and crews stop illegal fishing, remove illegal nets and protect threatened species and the places they live.
Media inquiries: media@seashepherd.org
