Why do only 2% of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) effectively protect sharks and rays?
Sharks and rays are often the most vulnerable component of any ecosystem in which they are found. Slow growing, late to mature, and produce few offspring, once overfished populations take decades to recover. Despite this, most MPAs fail to include management measures that account for their vulnerability to all fishing activities, and even fewer factor in the biological, behavioral, and ecological needs of sharks across different life stages.
Furthermore, existing MPAs have limited overlap with important habitats that are critical to effectively conserve sharks and rays.
SBI seeks to correct this by supporting the development of protected and conserved areas, not only to restrict activities to the level that would effectively reduce the mortality of sharks and rays, but also to prioritize protecting their most important habitats worldwide. To do so, SCF has partnered with the IUCN Shark Specialist Group to identify Important Shark and Ray Areas across the globe to prioritize for protection. Once identified, the program seeks to support protected areas that include management measures that effectively reduce shark and ray mortality both inside and outside of MPAs.
In a global biodiversity crisis, why is focusing on sharks specifically within protected areas important?
Sharks and rays play an outsized role across marine ecosystems. Acting as keystone species, they help maintain the health of the entire ecosystem. Sharks are also often the most vulnerable species within any given ecosystem, and efforts to reduce their mortality must involve some of the strictest management measures. Therefore, management measures that reduce shark mortality will inevitably reduce the mortality of species across the entire protected area strengthening the ecosystem’s overall biodiversity and stability.".
As governments across the globe seek to implement their 30x30 obligations, little to no guidance exists to ensure that key components of ecosystems, such as sharks, are adequately managed or sufficiently protected.
Focusing on shark management is a cost-effective and effort-effective way to:
a. Ensure the reduction of mortality for a majority of species across an ecosystem.
b. Measure effectiveness of biodiversity protection and restoration efforts.
Is there scientific evidence that shark populations support wider ecosystem health?
From the tropics to polar waters — surface to the deep sea — there are more than 550 species of sharks playing diverse roles across our ocean. A global study in Science, led by Florida International University and supported by the Shark Conservation Fund, analyzed over 100 studies to compile the many and diverse roles of sharks that are helping to keep our oceans healthy, and outlines actions people can take to protect sharks.
Sharks support healthy ecosystems through their actions, with both direct and cascading effects. Our understanding of the mechanisms through which the loss of sharks might influence the health and stability of ecosystems is improving. Empirical evidence suggests the importance of sharks varies widely among species and among habitats.
Research has demonstrated that Sharks are ecosystem architects:
· Regulating prey populations and changing the behavior of prey.
· Moving important nutrients from nutrient-rich offshore areas into coral reefs, coastlines, and estuaries.
· Providing food for other predators, such as other shark species and killer whales.
· Protecting seagrass and other marine plants from being overgrazed.
· Enhancing an ecosystem’s resilience, aiding in quicker recovery from extreme climate events.
Have MPAs that focus on the conservation of sharks specifically demonstrated their effectiveness on overall shark populations?
Yes. Effectively managed MPAs that include regulations linked to mortality reduction in shark and ray species are found to have more fish, larger fish, and a higher biodiversity of fish. In contrast, shark populations continue to decline within protected or conserved areas that do not specifically provide management for sharks.
Management measures that reduce the mortality of sharks also reduce fishing pressure on other species within the protected area. This will result in long-term benefits not only to shark populations but also to many other less vulnerable species.
Does SCF support or prioritize projects that include efforts to identify Important Shark and Ray Areas?
No, SCF only provides support to the IUCN Shark Specialist Group to identify and delineate Important Shark and Ray Areas (ISRAs). SCF will not provide funding to any other groups seeking either to collect data to support this process, or to identify ISRAs in the future, unless this is done in partnership with the IUCN Shark Specialist Group and at their request. This is to ensure that the process is as streamlined as possible and that any data collected meets the requirements of the ISRA process.
What regulations does SCF prioritize to protect sharks and broader ecosystems in protected areas?
SCF will provide support to establish, expand, or improve MPAs or other forms of spatial management measures that include one or more of the following:
· No Take Areas.
· Prohibition of all shark take/retention.
· Prohibition of destructive fishing gear like gillnets and longlines.
· Prohibition of take/retention of endangered and critically endangered shark species.
How does SBI link in with other initiatives promoting marine protection and 30x30?
The SBI complements the work of many environmental organizations, philanthropists, and governments working to achieve 30x30. For example, the Blue Action Fund partners with SBI initiatives in Guinea Bissau, the Rainforest Trust in Madagascar, Oceans 5, and the Wildlife Conservation Society in Papua New Guinea. Shark-specific management actions can be incorporated to enhance existing spatial management plans.
"Through public-private funding partnerships, we have unlocked additional resources and added to each other strengths. Together, we measure not just intentions, but tangible progress on the ground, spotlighting key species that embody the heartbeat of our oceans. In this shared journey, SCF exemplifies the essence of effective funder collaboration, where passion meets proficiency, and collective efforts can yield a legacy of lasting impact." – Markus Knigge, Executive Director, Blue Action Fund
“Our partnership with the SCF has been vital to ensuring the greatest possible impact for some of the most imperiled species on the planet.” - Steve Bernacki, Rainforest Trust
Why support the SBI rather than directly support shark protection projects?
Support provided to the Shark Conservation Fund for the SBI program is spread across multiple impactful projects in partnership with other SBI donors, rather than a single project.
Additionally, SCF’s role as a convenor and global strategist with expert staff will accelerate existing efforts and build networks of projects. SCF staff bring specialized expertise, ensuring that funded projects are effectively designed and implemented to protect sharks. Not every grantee or philanthropic organization is equipped to understand the management needs and policies that are proven to reduce shark mortality. SCF provides this expertise to strengthen potential projects, ensuring every dollar invested in the SBI program impactful.