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Important Shark and Ray Areas (ISRA)

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Important Shark and Ray Areas (ISRA)

Important Shark and Ray Areas (ISRA) are “discrete, tri-dimensional portions of habitat, important for one or more shark species, that have the potential to be delineated and managed for conservation”.

ISRA

Why Important Shark and Ray Areas?

Chondrichthyans (sharks, rays, and chimaeras – hereafter referred to as ‘sharks’) are facing a global extinction crisis. According to the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, it is now estimated that over one-third of sharks are threatened with extinction. Over the last century, fisheries have had a massive cumulative impact on sharks and this threat has been compounded by habitat loss and climate change. Threat levels are highest in coastal habitats where 75% of threatened species occur. This makes sharks one of the most threatened taxon in the marine environment, second only to Amphibians at the global scale.

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Sand tiger shark
Carcharias taurus

Bluespotted Lagoon Ray
Taeniura lymma

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What are ISRA?

ISRA are not MPAs. The identification of ISRA is an evidence-driven, purely biocentric process based on the application of scientific criteria supported by the best available science.

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NEWS

Stay updated on ISRA developments from around the world

IUCN WCPA Technical Note 16: Approaches for identifying areas of particular importance for marine biodiversity

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A technical brief on important marine areas has just been released at the 2024 United Nations Biodiversity Conference of the Parties (CoP 16) of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity in Cali, Colombia.
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Shortfalls in the protection of Important Shark and Ray Areas undermine shark conservation efforts in the Central and South American Pacific

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We’re excited to share our latest paper. This research looked at how Important Shark and Ray Areas (ISRAs) overlapped with marine protected areas in the Central and South American Pacific region.
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©Kris-Mikael Krister on Unsplash

Divers, Fishers and Scientists Map Sharks and Rays to Save Them

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Knowing where different sharks and rays reproduce, feed, hang out, and rest, is important for conservation. A new atlas of these areas is sparking optimism for these threatened fishes.
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Participants of the ISRA workshop in Fiji. | © Dr. Rima Jabado

Important Shark and Ray Areas delineated in the New Zealand and Pacific Islands region: Protecting Sharks and Rays in Pacific Islands waters

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PRESS RELEASE - Important Shark and Ray Areas delineated in the New Zealand and Pacific Islands region Protecting Sharks and Rays in Pacific Islands waters
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