Sharks and rays, some of the most fascinating marine creatures, are increasingly facing the threat of extinction worldwide. In Ghana, over 65% of shark species fall under the categories of critically endangered, endangered, or vulnerable. The situation is no better in Indonesia, where the population of thresher sharks has significantly declined due to hunting. These alarming trends call for urgent and concerted conservation efforts. The work of Dr. Issah Seidu in Ghana and Rafid Shidqi in Indonesia highlights the important role science can play in these efforts.

Besides individual efforts in Ghana and Indonesia, global initiatives like the Important Shark and Ray Areas project are making strides in shark and ray conservation. The project identifies and protects critical areas for sharks and rays, using a series of regional workshops and expert reviews. The goal is to inform countries’ existing spatial planning, fisheries management processes, and other conservation planning. So far, over 65 and 125 Important Shark and Ray Areas have been identified in the Mediterranean and Black seas region and the Western Indian Ocean, respectively. These identified areas could potentially be incorporated into marine protected areas or other types of ocean preserves.

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