The second Important Shark and Ray Areas (ISRA) regional expert workshop was held in hybrid mode (in person and online) in Thessaloniki, Greece from 8–12 May, 2023. The goal was to identify and delineate three-dimensional and discrete portions of habitat that are critical to the survival of sharks, rays, and chimaeras (hereafter ‘sharks’), and that have the potential to be managed for conservation. The region covered included the Mediterranean and Black Seas. This scientific collaboration amongst regional and global experts resulted in the identification of 65 Important Shark and Ray Areas, 6 candidate ISRAs, and 20 Areas of Interest. Identified ISRAs range in size from small underwater areas of 0.09 km2 at depths of 1,100–1,150 m (Palmahim Brine Pools ISRA in Israel) to large areas of 219,913 km2 (Strait of Sicily and Tunisian Plateau ISRA which is transboundary in nature encompassing waters of Italy, Libya, Malta, and Tunisia) from surface waters to a depth of 2,000 m. This compendium provides an overview of all areas delineated.

© International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Species Survival Commission (SSC) Shark Specialist Group, 2023