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Global Analyses of Chondrichthyans |
Global Conservation Status of Sharks and Rays
The rapid expansion of human activities threatens ocean-wide biodiversity. Numerous marine animal populations have declined, yet it remains unclear whether these trends are symptomatic of a chronic accumulation of global marine extinction risk. The first systematic analysis of threat for a globally distributed lineage of 1,041 chondrichthyan fishes (sharks, rays, and chimaeras) was published in the journal eLife in 2014.
This paper estimated that one-quarter are threatened according to IUCN Red List criteria due to overfishing (targeted and incidental). Large-bodied, shallow-water species are at greatest risk and five out of the seven most threatened families are rays. Overall, chondrichthyan extinction risk is substantially higher than for most other vertebrates, and only one-third of species are considered safe. Population depletion has occurred throughout the world’s ice-free waters, but is particularly prevalent in the Indo-Pacific Biodiversity Triangle and Mediterranean Sea. Improved management of fisheries and trade is urgently needed to avoid extinctions and promote population recovery.
Media Releases:
Dulvy, N. K., Fowler, S.L., Musick, J.A., Cavanagh, R. D., Kyne, P. M., Harrison, L. R., Carlson, J. K., Davisdson, L. N. K., Fordham, S.V., Francis, M. P., Pollock, C. M., Simpfendorfer, C. A., Burgess, G. H., Carpenter, K. E., Compagno, L. V. J., Ebert, D. A., Gibson, C., Heupel, M. R., Livingstone, S. R., Sanciangco, J. C., Stevens, J. D., Valenti, S. and White, W. T. 2014. Extinction risk and conservation of the world's sharks and rays. eLife: eLife 2014;3:e00590.
This paper estimated that one-quarter are threatened according to IUCN Red List criteria due to overfishing (targeted and incidental). Large-bodied, shallow-water species are at greatest risk and five out of the seven most threatened families are rays. Overall, chondrichthyan extinction risk is substantially higher than for most other vertebrates, and only one-third of species are considered safe. Population depletion has occurred throughout the world’s ice-free waters, but is particularly prevalent in the Indo-Pacific Biodiversity Triangle and Mediterranean Sea. Improved management of fisheries and trade is urgently needed to avoid extinctions and promote population recovery.
Media Releases:
- IUCN Press Release: This eLife paper was released at the start of the year marking the 50th anniversary of The IUCN Red List. The findings are part of the first ever global analysis of these species carried out by the IUCN Shark Specialist Group (SSG).
- PRNewswire-USNewswire
- YouTube Video Summarizing Findings: SSG Co-Chairs and authors on the eLife paper, Nick Dulvy and Colin Simpfendorfer, summarize the findings of the eLife paper in this short video abstract.
- Infographic
- Fact Sheet, for an updated Fact Sheet Table click here
- Images and Captions for Media Use
- A summary of other media releases are available here
- The IUCN has developed "Amazing Species" profiles for the Giant Guitarfish (Rhynchobatus djiddensis), the Smooth Hammerhead Shark (Sphyrna zygaena), the Great Hammerhead Shark (S. mokarran), the Horn Shark (Heterodontus francisci), and the Dusky Smoothhound (Mustelus canis).
Dulvy, N. K., Fowler, S.L., Musick, J.A., Cavanagh, R. D., Kyne, P. M., Harrison, L. R., Carlson, J. K., Davisdson, L. N. K., Fordham, S.V., Francis, M. P., Pollock, C. M., Simpfendorfer, C. A., Burgess, G. H., Carpenter, K. E., Compagno, L. V. J., Ebert, D. A., Gibson, C., Heupel, M. R., Livingstone, S. R., Sanciangco, J. C., Stevens, J. D., Valenti, S. and White, W. T. 2014. Extinction risk and conservation of the world's sharks and rays. eLife: eLife 2014;3:e00590.
Global Sharks and Rays Initiative
The Global Strategy for the Conservation of Sharks and Rays (2015–2025 ), summarized here, is the product of an intensive 18-month strategic planning process incorporating extensive data analysis and synthesis, including a set of background documents, several technical workshops, and ongoing consultation and review.
This process involved a team of experts representing the following organizations: Shark Advocates International, the Shark Trust, TRAFFIC, Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), and World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) International. The co-chairs of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Shark Specialist Group served as technical advisors and contributors to the planning process. This document presents a summary of the global priorities for shark and ray conservation that have been identified through this collaborative process.
Fundamental elements of the strategy include: improvements in governance frameworks and regimes for shark and ray conservation; data collection and scientific investigation to further the understanding of sharks and rays and the pressures on their populations; development and deployment of tools to strengthen technical capacity; and fostering increased commitment, including political will and financial investment, across multiple sectors.
The NGOs that have partnered to develop the global shark and ray conservation strategy are committed to its implementation, through a Global Sharks and Rays Initiative (GSRI). However, it is clear that such an ambitious effort involves a much broader range of private and public sector organizations, agencies, and institutions. This Global Strategy provides a roadmap for expanding commitments and prompting action to ensure the conservation of these vulnerable and valuable fishes.
This process involved a team of experts representing the following organizations: Shark Advocates International, the Shark Trust, TRAFFIC, Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), and World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) International. The co-chairs of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Shark Specialist Group served as technical advisors and contributors to the planning process. This document presents a summary of the global priorities for shark and ray conservation that have been identified through this collaborative process.
Fundamental elements of the strategy include: improvements in governance frameworks and regimes for shark and ray conservation; data collection and scientific investigation to further the understanding of sharks and rays and the pressures on their populations; development and deployment of tools to strengthen technical capacity; and fostering increased commitment, including political will and financial investment, across multiple sectors.
The NGOs that have partnered to develop the global shark and ray conservation strategy are committed to its implementation, through a Global Sharks and Rays Initiative (GSRI). However, it is clear that such an ambitious effort involves a much broader range of private and public sector organizations, agencies, and institutions. This Global Strategy provides a roadmap for expanding commitments and prompting action to ensure the conservation of these vulnerable and valuable fishes.