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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

Here’s how to help identify Important Shark and Ray Areas in North America!

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The Important Shark and Ray Areas project is coming to North America! Colleagues, if you think your data suggests that you’ve identified an Important Shark and Ray Area in your study site, here’s how to submit your data and participate.
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New Global Report Identifies Critical Habitats for Migratory Sharks and Rays

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Drawing on the expertise of over 1,330 scientists from over 100 countries, the Ocean Travellers Report synthesizes decades of research to map reproductive sites, migratory corridors, feeding grounds, and aggregation hotspots across 70% of the global ocean, including coastal waters, island chains, continental shelves, offshore seamounts, and areas beyond national jurisdiction (ABNJ).
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Only One Percent of Important Shark and Ray Areas in the Western Indian Ocean Are Fully Protected From Fishing Pressure

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The Western Indian Ocean (WIO) is known for its high diversity of chondrichthyans (sharks, rays, and chimaeras). However, intense fishing pressure has led to severe population declines and local extinctions of several species.
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©Lars von Ritter Zahony | Ocean Image Bank

124 Important Shark and Ray Areas Identified Across the European Atlantic

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A landmark scientific workshop has identified 124 Important Shark and Ray Areas (ISRAs) across the European Atlantic, providing the first comprehensive map of critical habitats for threatened species such as Basking Shark, Tope, Spiny Dogfish, Sicklefin Devil Ray, and Angelshark.
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