The problem
Migratory sharks and rays play a key ecological role through movements within and among marine ecosystems, yet many populations are declining. Addressing the decline is especially challenging for wide-ranging species, as they may undertake movements between countries with disparate conservation priorities.
The action and the science
To identify key habitats and movement corridors of threatened sharks and rays we need to track them. This includes using satellite tags and acoustic tags that rely on an array of underwater receivers along the coast. The underwater receiver array we maintain spans the borders of South Africa and Mozambique, and data on these shark and ray movements are shared on networks throughout the western Indian Ocean.
The impact
By identifying key habitats and movement corridors for threatened sharks and rays, we are able to highlight the need for transboundary cooperation, improved protection in these areas, and improved regulations within existing MPAs and beyond them.
How ocean users can help
Support for research can be through joining the ORI Cooperative Fish Tagging Project, or through financial contributions for tagging and tracking threatened sharks and rays.
