Translating Global Finprint results into conservation outcomes

The Global Finprint project is producing a huge amount of information on sharks and rays that occur on coral reefs. While the information is interesting from a purely marine ecology perspective, greatest benefit will flow by... [ view full abstract ]

The Global Finprint project is producing a huge amount of information on sharks and rays that occur on coral reefs. While the information is interesting from a purely marine ecology perspective, greatest benefit will flow by ensuring that it is translated into products that can be used by conservation and management decision makers to improve the status of populations where necessary. To achieve this Global Finprint has a multi-pronged strategy that involves: 1) analyses to maximise the scientific evidence for where the greatest changes in abundance and diversity in communities of coral reef sharks and rays have occurred, 2) identification of priority countries and regions of greatest concern, 3) input into processes that assess the status of populations and at times provide protections for at risk species and places (e.g. IUCN Red List, CITES, CMS), 4) production of summary data and conclusions for locations that have been sampled by the Global Finprint team, 5) partnering with NGOs to provide information useful for their conservation programs, and 6) engagement with decision makers at regional workshops to explain project outcomes and provide guidance on possible management responses. Examples of each of these strategies will be provided, and the benefits for coral reefs, sharks and rays will be discussed.