Important Shark and Ray Areas: a new tool to optimize spatial planning for sharks

«Overall, delineating Important Shark and Ray Areas globally will transform shark conservation and contribute to reducing mortality in this highly threatened group.»

PRESS RELEASE | March 9, 2023

​«Initiatives have been developed for specific taxa, such as birds (Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas) and marine mammals (Important Marine Mammal Areas) and for biodiversity more generally (Key Biodiversity Areas and Ecological or Biologically Significant Marine Areas). These approaches are now well accepted and utilized in spatial and conservation planning. Until recently, such an approach had yet to focus on sharks and their relatives, the rays and chimaeras (hereafter collectively referred to as sharks), one of the most threatened faunal lineages (37% of species are categorized as threatened with extinction on the IUCN Red List).» 

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«Spatial planning is a priority for biodiversity conservation, and area-based measures have become a key element for identification of sites that are particularly important for biodiversity. Initiatives have been developed for specific taxa, such as birds (Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas) and marine mammals (Important Marine Mammal Areas) and for biodiversity more generally (Key Biodiversity Areas and Ecological or Biologically Significant Marine Areas). These approaches are now well accepted and utilized in spatial and conservation planning. Until recently, such an approach had yet to focus on sharks and their relatives, the rays and chimaeras (hereafter collectively referred to as sharks), one of the most threatened faunal lineages (37% of species are categorized as threatened with extinction on the IUCN Red List). Overexploitation, unregulated or poorly managed fisheries and trade and, to a lesser extent, habitat degradation and loss, are driving steep declines in many shark populations. Existing area-based conservation approaches have not been designed with this conservation challenge in mind and have not adequately responded to the risk profile of sharks globally.»


Reference |
Kyne, P., Notarbartolo di Sciara, G., Morera, A., Charles, R., Rodríguez, E., Fernando, D., . . . Jabado, R. (2023). Important Shark and Ray Areas: A new tool to optimize spatial planning for sharks. Oryx, 57(2), 146-147. doi:10.1017/S0030605322001624 

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