IUCN SSC Shark Specialist Group
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News

A third of sharks, rays, and chimaeras are threatened with extinction, as new report narrows in on solutions

2/12/2024

 
NEW PUBLICATION
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The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has released a report, Global Status of Sharks, Rays and Chimaeras, that highlights new knowledge compiled by 353 experts from 115 countries and stresses the urgent need to address overfishing and bycatch in all countries. 

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IUCN WCPA Technical Note 16: Approaches for identifying areas of particular importance for marine biodiversity

30/10/2024

 
TECHNICAL NOTE
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A technical brief on important marine areas has just been released at the 2024 United Nations Biodiversity Conference of the Parties (CoP 16) of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity in Cali, Colombia. ​

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Shortfalls in the protection of Important Shark and Ray Areas undermine shark conservation efforts in the Central and South American Pacific

30/10/2024

 
NEW PUBLICATION
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New update on the Important Shark and Ray Areas (ISRA) project published in the journal, Marine Policy.

Mouton, T. L., Gonzalez-Pestana, A., Rohner, C. A., Charles, R., García-Rodríguez, E., Kyne, P. M., ... & Jabado, R. W. (2025). Shortfalls in the protection of ISRAs undermine shark conservation efforts in the Central and South American Pacific. Marine Policy, 171, 106448.

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Divers, Fishers and Scientists Map Sharks and Rays to Save Them

14/10/2024

 
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© Kris-Mikael Krister on Unsplash
See here for an interactive map developed by Macaranga that features the Important Shark and Ray Areas (ISRAs) delineated within Malaysian waters.

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Protecting Sharks and Rays in Pacific Islands waters

19/9/2024

 
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© Luke Gordon
In this article by the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP), they feature the latest regional workshop from the Important Shark and Ray Areas (ISRA) project in Fiji for the New Zealand and  Pacific Islands region.

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Important Shark and Ray Areas delineatedin the New Zealand and Pacific Islands region: Protecting Sharks and Rays in Pacific Islands waters

19/9/2024

 
PRESS RELEASE
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Participants of the ISRA workshop in Fiji. | © Dr. Rima Jabado
​Important Shark and Ray Areas delineated in the New Zealand and Pacific Islands region Protecting Sharks and Rays in Pacific Islands waters  

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Protecting sharks and rays in Pacific waters

19/9/2024

 
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© Hannes Klostermann / Ocean Image Bank
Read here in this issue of the Samoa Observer about the New Zealand and Pacific Islands' regional workshop for the Important Shark and Ray Areas (ISRA) project.

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Shark News | Issue 10 | September 2024

1/9/2024

 
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We want to invite you to discover the tenth issue of Shark News – the official IUCN Species Survival Commission (SSC) Shark Specialist Group (SSG) magazine.
 
Shark News provides a forum for the exchange of information on all aspects of shark, ray, and chimaera conservation matters for SSG members and the general interested audience.

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Polar waters: A regional compendium of Important Shark and Ray Areas

31/8/2024

 
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The fifth region targeted by the Important Shark and Ray Areas (ISRA) project covered the Polar Waters (Region 1). Stemming from the workshop in Tirana, Albania from 27-29 May, 2024, this resulted in the delineation of 34 ISRAs, four candidate ISRAs, and 11 Areas of Interest.

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A decade of LAMAVE research shapes IUCN Important Shark and Ray Areas in the Philippines

14/7/2024

 
PRESS RELEASE
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See here for the press release by the Large Marine Vertebrates Research Institute Philippines (LAMAVE), featuring the ISRAs delineated in the Asia region

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16 aree per salvare squali e razze

12/7/2024

 
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​The new WWF Italy report on the occasion of World Shark Day highlights the Important Shark and Ray Areas (ISRA) project, providing an update since the Mediterranean regional workshop.

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Researchers Map 43 Important Shark and Ray Areas in Indonesia

7/6/2024

 
PRESS RELEASE
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The Konservasi Indonesia has provided a press release sharing an update on the Important Shark and Ray Areas (ISRA) project from Asia, specifically focusing on the ISRAs delineated in Indonesian waters.

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MMF Helps Shape Seven New Important Shark and Ray Areas in Myanmar & Thailand

27/5/2024

 
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A giant manta swims over reef at Black Rock, Myanmar. Photo by Anna Flam
Read more about the Asia update of the Important Shark & Ray Areas (ISRAs) project from the Marine Megafauna Foundation (MMF).

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122 Important Shark and Ray Areas identified in Asia

22/5/2024

 
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© Bart Lukasik / Ocean Image Bank
In this article from Oceanographic, it features the Important Shark and Ray Areas (ISRA) project, and the release of the compendium of Important Shark and Ray Areas identified in the waters of Asia.

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2023 IUCN SSC Shark Specialist Group's Annual Report

13/5/2024

 
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We welcome you to explore further information about the IUCN SSC Shark Specialist Group’s (SSG) work and results in 2022.

​It is available online on the SSC SSG’s portal

Asia: A Regional Compendium of Important Shark and Ray Areas

8/5/2024

 
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The fourth region region targeted by the Important Shark and Ray Areas (ISRA)  project covered the Asian region. This regional expert workshop was held in Bali, Indoneisa from 22–26 January 2024. This compendium provides an overview of all areas delineated.

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All sawfish now Critically Endangered but sustained conservation efforts can lead to recovery

29/3/2024

 
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New update on sawfish species published in the journal, Oryx.

In November 2021, the IUCN Species Survival Commission Shark Specialist Group held a series of online workshops to reassess the Red List status of the five sawfish species (family Pristidae). This process concluded in December 2023 with the publication of the final assessment, for the Narrow Sawfish Anoxypristis cuspidata.

Source: Harry A.V., Carlson J.K., Espinoza M., Grant, M.I., Haque, A.B., Jabado, R.W. and Rigby, C.L. All sawfish now Critically Endangered but sustained conservation efforts can lead to recovery. Oryx. 2024;58(2):146-146. doi:10.1017/S0030605323001692

MMF’s research pivotal in establishing new IUCN shark and ray protections

19/1/2024

 
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In the third regional workshop in a series of workshops, the Important Shark and Ray Areas (ISRA) project turns towards the Western Indian Ocean (WIO) region. Read more in this article featured on Dive Magazine.

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To protect endangered sharks and rays, scientists are mapping these species' most important locations

11/1/2024

 
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In this article from Yahoo! News, it emphasizes the importance of shark and ray conservation. This led to the discussion on the Important Shark and Ray Areas (ISRA) project and their progress thus far.

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Conservation Efforts to Save Endangered Sharks and Rays in Ghana and Indonesia

11/1/2024

 
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Read more about the importance of conserving sharks and rays in Ghana and Indonesia, and how the ​Important Shark and Ray Areas (ISRA) project can support this. At the time of release in Medriva, the ISRA project had covered the Western Indian Ocean region and was geared towards the Asia region soon after.

Read More
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Copyright © 2025 | IUCN SSC Shark Specialist Group | All Rights Reserved
  • Home
  • About
    • Mission & Vision
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  • Resources
    • Shark News >
      • Shark News | Submission Guidelines
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    • Important Shark and Ray Areas
    • Publications >
      • 2024 Global Status Report
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      • Identification Guide
      • Trade
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    • Scientific References
    • Conservation Strategies >
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      • Conservation Strategies: Angel Sharks
    • Policy Planning >
      • CITES >
        • CITES 17th CoP
      • The Convention on Migratory Species and Sharks
      • The Memorandum of Understanding on the Conservation of Migratory Sharks (Sharks MOU)
      • The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species and Sharks
      • RFMOs
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    • Workshops >
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