Bertarelli-Annual-Report-2024-FULL - Flipbook - Page 44
Bertarelli Foundation
Conservation Impact
We aim to act on our science to benefit the conservation of species
and habitats in the Indian Ocean. This year, we contributed to a
status report led by the world conservation union on sharks, rays,
and chimaeras in the Indian Ocean including recommendations for
management and conservation. Plastic pollution data by
programme scientists was presented as a case study for
the Global Plastics Treaty and to relevant
businesses and policymakers.
The Global Status of Sharks,
Rays and Chimaeras:
Indian Ocean
Jabado, R.W., Morata, A.Z.A., Bennett, R.H., Finucci,
B., Ellis, J.R., Fowler, S.L., Grant, M.I., Barbosa Martins,
A.P., & Sinclair, S.L. (eds.) (2024). Gland, Switzerland
https://doi.org/10.59216/ssg.gsrsrc.2024
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The IUCN SSC Shark Specialist Group published an
update on their first status report for sharks, rays and
chimaeras since it was originally published 20 years
ago in 2005. Scientists from across the Marine Science
Programme came together to contribute their knowledge
and data for the Indian Ocean chapter. The section
discussing the Chagos Archipelago was led by Marine
Science researcher Dr Claire Collins and supported
by Dr David Curnick, Dr Tom Letessier and Dr Joanna
Harris. Together they identified priority research areas
to establish the impact of changes in illegal fishing
pressure on the shark and ray populations in the Chagos
Archipelago. Data gaps highlighted include the lack of
information on catch composition, fishing gear used
and crew detail as well as the need for an understanding
of both the awareness and deterrence effect that the
MPA management is having. The chapter also discusses
recommendations for policy, science, research,
management and conservation which should allow
managers of the MPA to consider future priorities of how
to focus resources to best address and protect the sharks,
rays and chimaeras in the region.
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