New Global Report Identifies Critical Habitats for Migratory Sharks and Rays

PRESS RELEASE | 14 January 2026

IUCN SSC Shark Specialist Group unveils the first-ever coordinated global map of Important Shark and Ray Areas (ISRAs) for CMS-listed sharks and rays

A new global report released by the IUCN SSC Shark Specialist Group, with support from the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Climate Action and Nuclear Safety and the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS), identifies over 750 Important Shark and Ray Areas (ISRAs) across 70% of the world’s ocean. Drawing on contributions from 1,330 experts in more than 100 countries, the Ocean Travellers Report provides the first coordinated global map of critical habitats for migratory sharks and rays — including reproductive sites, feeding grounds, migratory corridors, and aggregation hotspots.

With sharks and rays now the second most threatened group of vertebrates, ISRAs offer a standardized scientific foundation to guide marine spatial planning, fisheries management, environmental assessments, and international commitments under CMS, the Sharks MOU, the Global Biodiversity Framework, and the SDGs. The report underscores the need for coordinated, science-based action to protect essential habitats in both national waters and the high seas.

Read the full press release here:

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