Session: S-136
Putting marine science in to practice for conservation and management of sharks and rays in South East Asia

Sharks and rays are one of the most threatened species groups in the world. Their elevated extinction risk is a product of rapid global increases in fishing mortality, coupled with conservative life-history traits that make them vulnerable to overfishing. Sharks and rays are increasingly acknowledged as ecologically important and charismatic species, with growing professional interest and public sentiment towards conserving them. This is... [ view more ]

Sharks and rays are one of the most threatened species groups in the world. Their elevated extinction risk is a product of rapid global increases in fishing mortality, coupled with conservative life-history traits that make them vulnerable to overfishing. Sharks and rays are increasingly acknowledged as ecologically important and charismatic species, with growing professional interest and public sentiment towards conserving them. This is reflected in several recent international policy decisions, particularly the Convention on the International Trade of Endangered Species (CITES), to confer greater protection to species and populations at risk. Within this international context, SE Asia is a global priority for shark and ray conservation and management: it’s home to The Coral Triangle, a global hotspot of shark endemism; and to some of the world’s largest shark and ray fisheries and trading hubs. Several countries in the region are committed to meeting their CITES obligations, however putting policy in to practice for effective shark and ray conservation is challenging for several practical and ethical reasons. In particular: complex habitat and population dynamics, diverse species, conflicting human uses and values, limited implementability of species-specific policies, and ethical concerns associated with well-being of shark fishing communities. This symposium will explore how conservationists in Indonesia, Myanmar, Singapore and The Philippines are making marine science matter for sharks and rays, by: a) better understanding conservation and management issues; b) designing nuanced, practical and ethical interventions to better protect habitat, manage fisheries and regulate trade; and, c) measuring impact of initiatives and policies.