A new scientific analysis has, for the first time, published a worldwide map that makes clear which marine regions sharks and rays particularly urgently need protection in. The results are intended to help decision-makers, conservation organisations and political bodies designate protected areas specifically where populations are most at risk and there are particularly strong chances of recovery.
Why a protection map is important
Sharks and rays are among the most threatened major groups of marine fauna. Many species grow slowly, reach sexual maturity late and produce only a few offspring. This life-history strategy makes them particularly sensitive to overfishing, illegal fishing and habitat loss. According to global studies, over a third of all shark and ray species are classified as threatened or worse.
Existing conservation measures often focus on individual regions or isolated protected areas. The new map, by contrast, provides for the first time a global, spatially detailed picture of which areas should be a priority for new marine protected areas (MPAs) in order to stabilise populations sustainably.
Priority areas on the map
The analysis identifies 816 marine areas where protection measures would be most effective – for instance because particularly large numbers of threatened species occur there or because fishing pressure and other threats are especially high. These hotspots are located over continental shelves, in deep-sea trenches and along productive ecosystems in both tropical and temperate regions.
One advantage of this map is its strategic focus: instead of creating protected areas in proportion to the size of an ocean basin, states and international bodies can intervene more precisely where the biological benefit is greatest.
Need for protection despite progress
In recent years there have been important advances in the protection of sharks and rays. At the conference of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), international trade in over 70 species was restricted or completely banned – including the whale shark, manta and devil rays, as well as the oceanic whitetip shark.
Such decisions strengthen the legal framework, but are not sufficient on their own: many populations continue to decline because protected areas are missing, too small or poorly enforced. In addition, legal restrictions are not implemented and monitored equally everywhere.
How protection effectiveness can be improved
The new map provides a basis for prioritising conservation initiatives more effectively. Experts emphasise that it achieves the greatest effect when combined with no-take zones for fishing and trade, effective monitoring and local collaboration with coastal communities.
Such area-based protection strategies have already shown positive effects in some coastal regions – for example, when ray and shark species were able to increase in numbers again after protected areas were established.