Seychelles’ Aldabra Atoll officially designated as Important Shark and Ray Area

PRESS RELEASE |  April 14, 2024

Aldabra Atoll has officially been designated as an Important Shark and Ray Area (ISRA) by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Species Survival Commission shark specialist group.

An ISRA is defined as 'discrete, three-dimensional portions of habitat, critical for one or more shark species, that are delineated and have the potential to be managed for conservation'. In simpler terms, this designation has been awarded to Aldabra as it contains specific marine habitats that are deemed critical for the survival and well-being of sharks, rays, and chimaeras (which are soft-bodied, cartilaginous fish). Sharks (including rays and chimaeras) belong to the most threatened marine taxon and more than a third of shark species are threatened with extinction due to impacts from fisheries, habitat loss, and climate change.

The nomination of Aldabra Atoll was submitted by SIF in August 2023, to be evaluated during the ISRA workshop held in Durban, South Africa in September which focussed on the Western Indian Ocean region. The submission then underwent peer review by an Independent Review Panel before it was validated. ISRA designations are based on scientific criteria that consider factors such as the species’ range restriction, their status on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, the importance of the habitat for various life stages of sharks (such as breeding, feeding, or migration), and the special attributes of the habitat in terms of distinctiveness (biological, behavioural, or ecological), and diversity. Aldabra Atoll was designated as ISRA for six species, namely the blacktip reef shark, tawny nurse shark, sharptooth lemon shark, scalloped hammerhead shark, spotted eagle ray, and reef manta ray, that fulfilled the criteria of being considered threatened on the IUCN Red List, and being found in a marine habitat that is important for their reproduction and feeding.

The ISRA designation marks Aldabra’s 8th international designation and makes it one of nine ISRAs in Seychelles, including Alphonse Atoll, Baie Laraie at Curieuse, Bay Ternay at Mahe, Conception Island, D’Arros and St. Joseph Atoll, La Passe at Silhouette, Saint François Atoll and the Seychelles Inner Islands. The majority of available evidence from Aldabra came from opportunistic sighting records and photos/videos collected over many years by Aldabra staff, volunteers and visiting researchers, highlighting the value of rigorously recording opportunistic sightings. 

Dr Frauke Fleischer-Dogley pointed out that this designation helps SIF to re-focus on one of the most threatened group of animals on reefs' with 60%  of coral reef shark and ray species globally being at risk of going extinct. Since the submission of the nomination over 500 additional opportunistic sightings have already been made on Aldabra and this time the exact locations have been recorded too. 

ISRAs, though not classified as marine protected areas (MPAs) and lacking legal mandates, is valuable in support of shark conservation as it draws the attention of policymakers and decision-makers involved in designing and implementing MPAs, conducting environmental impact assessments, and marine spatial planning exercises. Aldabra has joined a select group of globally recognised areas crucial for biodiversity. It is imperative that this designation serves as a catalyst for heightened awareness and action, urging policymakers and stakeholders to prioritize conservation efforts and ensure the long-term protection of these vulnerable species and their habitats.

Dr Rima Jabado, Deputy Chair of the IUCN Species Survival Commission (SSC) and Chair of the IUCN SSC Shark Specialist Group, added that sharks and rays play a key role in supporting the health of marine ecosystems. ISRAs are now providing a critical tool to support with the conservation of these species by consolidating the most up-to-date scientific data from regional experts, but also from citizen scientists, that can really allow policy makers to take action and safeguard remnant populations.