This report presents the first global overview of Important Shark and Ray Areas (ISRAs) for species listed under the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS) and its daughter agreement, the Memorandum of Understanding for the Conservation of Migratory Sharks (Sharks MOU). ISRAs are identified through a standardized, expert-driven process to map habitats essential for shark, ray, and chimaera species. The report highlights more than 800 ISRAs worldwide, illustrating their application through case studies that span coastal, pelagic, and high seas environments. It demonstrates how ISRAs can support CMS implementation, the Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, and other multilateral conservation goals, providing a practical spatial framework to guide policy, management, and investment in shark and ray conservation.

© International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Species Survival Commission (SSC) Shark Specialist Group, 2025