The identified habitats are used by these species as reproductive areas or aggregation sites, feeding locations, or migratory pathways. Many shark and ray species found in Asian waters are assessed as threatened with extinction, and these newly identified areas should be considered for protection or fisheries management measures.

“ISRAs are a practical guide to protecting critical habitats for sharks and rays that can be used by relevant country management authorities as a baseline for establishing species-based protected areas with a strong scientific basis,” noted Dr Fahmi of the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) in Indonesia and Regional co-Vice-Chair for the IUCN SSC Shark Specialist Group Asia region.

A regional workshop was held in January of this year in Bali, Indonesia, and brought together a team of 33 scientists including 23 experts from throughout the region along with 208 of contributors. The ISRA Criteria that were discussed throughout the workshop have been designed to capture important aspects of shark biology, ecology, and population structure and to encompass multiple aspects of species vulnerability, distribution, abundance, and key life cycle activities, as well as areas of high diversity. Almost 200 preliminary Areas of Interest were considered, and after review by an expert Independent Review Panel, the finalised list of 122 approved ISRAs (and 45 areas of Interest) is now available in the Compendium and the freely accessible eAtlas.

“We are pleased to put sharks and rays on the map through this biocentric process,” said Elisabeth Fahrni Mansur, Senior Manager of the Marine Conservation Program for the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) in Bangladesh and Regional co-Vice Chair for the IUCN SSC Shark Specialist Group Indian Ocean region. “The Swatch-of-No-Ground ISRA was identified from information provided by coastal fishers equipped and trained by WCS for improved at-sea safety in return for the provision of fishing effort and catch data. ISRAs support efforts to improve area-based conservation for sustaining globally threatened shark and ray populations, along with other marine wildlife and fisheries vital for a healthy ocean and healthy people.”

Now that these important areas have been identified, they can be prioritised for the protections they need or be considered in other area-based management measures by local governments.