CELEBRATING SCIENCE AND COLLABORATION ON SHARK AWARENESS DAY

The study, titled “A Systematic Conservation Plan Identifying Critical Areas for Improved Chondrichthyan Protection in South Africa,” aimed to identify key areas within South Africa’s continental waters that are vital for the conservation of these imperilled species.

KEY FINDINGS

1. If 10% of South Africa’s mainland Ocean area, known as the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), were to be designated as Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), it would meet the 30% range protection conservation target for the species included in the study.

2. Some species could have up to 60% of their habitats covered (and protected) and would only require South Africa increasing the current 5.4% MPA network coverage by a further 5%.

WHAT’S TO COME

Looking ahead, the study provides a significant milestone in the conservation of sharks and rays in South Africa. It demonstrates the power of collaboration, data-driven approaches, and innovative conservation planning to address the critical threats facing these iconic marine species.

“A special thank you to all the co-authors and collaborators on this study, as well as all the organisations, individuals and institutions that contributed data,” says Nina Faure-Beaulieu, lead author on the paper and Research Assistant at WILDTRUST. “We certainly couldn’t have done this without you.”

You can access the full paper here: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0006320723002641

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