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Newsletter of the IUCN SSC Shark Specialist Group #6 | July 20222 Our Vision A world where sharks, rays, and chimaeras are valued and managed sustainably. Our Mission To secure the conservation, management and, where necessary, the recovery of the world’s sharks, rays, and chimaeras by mobilizing tech- nical and scientific expertise to provide the knowledge that enables action. Photo by Michael Scholl | Save Our Seas Foundation Our Vision A world where sharks, rays, and chimaeras are valued and managed sustainably. Our Mission To secure the conservation, management and, where necessary, the recovery of the world’s sharks, rays, and chimaeras by mobilizing tech- nical and scientific expertise to provide the knowledge that enables action. 4 Editorial: A note from the Chair 6 Q&A with Early Career Scientists within the SSG 16 Sharks and the SPAW Protocol in the Wider Caribbean Region 28 Shark Spotlight: Paddlenose Spookfish 30 Interactive Shark Alley Exhibit opens at the Two Oceans Aquarium 36 Face-to-face with the world’s most Dangerous Predator Editor-in-chief Michael Scholl Chief Editor Rima Jabado Associate Editor Alexandra Morata Contributing Editor Chelsea Stein Proofreader Michael Scholl Rima Jabado Alexandra Morata Design & art direction scholldesign.com Published by the IUCN SSC Shark Specialist Group (SSG) Dr. Rima W. Jabado P.O. Box 29588 | Dubai United Arab Emirates Copyright Notice | All content, information, text, materials, names, images, illustrations and visual representations (including, without limitation, from our members, partners, affiliates, contractors, employees and representatives) ap- pearing on our website (iucnssg.org), in our publications (e.g. Shark News) or made available by us in any format (“Content”) is protected by intellec- tual property (“IP”) laws and may not be used, republished, retransmitted, reproduced, downloaded or other- wise used (except for downloading for private and non-commercial use) without the express written consent of the Chair of the IUCN SSC Shark Specialist Group (SSG), author or copyright holder. This IP also extends to all trademarks appearing on the site, including the IUCN SSC SSG logo. The Content remains the exclusive property and copyright of the text authors, photographers, and illustrators in their respective credits or captions. Disclaimer | The content, views and opinions expressed in the articles presented in the Shark News magazine are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the IUCN SSC Shark Specialist Group (SSG) or its members. The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in the articles belong solely to the author, and not necessarily to the author’s employer, organization, committee or other group or individual. The designa- tions employed in this publication and the presentation of material therein do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the IUCN SSC Shark Specialist Group (SSG), the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) or the Species Survival Commission (SSC). 40 Sharks International 2022 – Only three months to go! 42 The IUCN Green Status of Species Webinar 46 Global Genetic Reference Database of eDNA Barcodes 48 Experts Consider Shark Week a ‘Missed Opportunity’ 54 Preventing Shark and Ray Extinctions is Not Enough 60 Future Oceans: Priority Areas for Biodiversity Conservation 80 The First Record of a Saw Shark from Namibia 82 Tracking threatened sharks and rays in West Africa 86 Conservation, Fisheries, Trade and Management Status of CITES- Listed Sharks 92 The Ecological Significance of Sharks 94 All About Sawfishes 100 Diagnostic Book on Sawfishes in Costa Rica 110 Funding Opportunities 112 Upcoming Meetings 113 Our Sponsors and Supporters Photo by Single Fin Photo | Ocean Image Bank | theoceanagency.org Cover photos: Spotted Ratfish (Hydrolagus colliei) usually live between 50 and 400 meter depths, but at night when hunting for crusta- ceans and mollusks it reaches shallow depths. The photo was taken during a night dive on the house reef of the God’s Pocket Resort (Vancou- ver Island, British Columbia, Canada) at a depth of 15 meters. Photos by Claudio Zori4 Artwork by Keith Witmer A note from the Chair Rima Jabado Dear readers, Over the last decade, I have spent considerable time working across the African continent. I have often felt that there is so little information and so few projects focused on sharks in so many countries where we simply know nothing about the status of species and their inter- actions with fisheries. So, I was thrilled to see contributions from the African region for this issue. We feature work being done in South Africa through the Two Oceans Aquarium, which has set up a Shark Alley exhibit. This encourages visitors to shift their perceptions of sharks from ‘man-eaters’ to ‘predators in danger’. In parallel, also in South Africa, a team from WILDOCEANS has been working with beachgoers to promote awareness of the need to con- serve species and the importance of sharks in maintaining healthy ecosystems. This work is essential in a country where White Sharks (Carcharodon carcharias) are often encountered and where sharks are often feared. We have exciting news from Guinea Bissau, where a team has tagged Critically Endangered species in a natural wonderland – the Bijagos Archipelago. This collaborative effort between local communities, government, and national and inter- national partners is already providing some much-needed data on how this huge expanse of mangroves and intertidal flats can support a large diversity of sharks. We also have a report of the first record of a Saw Shark from Namibia – the first record of this species group from anywhere along the coast of western Africa! There are undoubtedly many other stories out there, and I look forward to reading more from these emerging projects. In a timely fashion, as Shark Week has taken over the screens around the world, scientists provide their opinion on this longstanding TV show. There are always mixed feelings about this – but many feel that this program does not benefit sharks, science, or conservation. Read more from our regular Q&A contributor Chelsea Stein about some of the analyses done in relation to hosts, guests, species featured, and overall messaging of the program since it was launched in 1988. She also introduces us to three early career SSG members working in the field in Brazil, Ghana, and Indonesia. Their work, although set in different landscapes, tell the same story of dedication to research and conservation of sharks. It’s so great to see this new generation of shark scientists working tirelessly to make a difference, and I can’t wait to read about the work of others from the remaining SSG regions. Many members and non-members have also been publishing books and reports on sharks to raise the profile of the species and ensure accurate information is available. Authors have provided insight into their work to highlight the ecological significance of sharks, shared beautifully illustrated children’s books on saw- fishes, and introduced us to an interactive online book on sawfishes in Costa Rica. We feature a report on how to improve synergies between Regional Fisheries Bodies and the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna (CITES). This information is particularly relevant as new proposals to list sharks on CITES are current- ly being evaluated. However, several new initiatives have been launched, shifting from the traditional fisheries or trade management focus of conservation. Andy Cornish from WWF introduces us to SARRI – the Shark and Ray Recovery Initiative – where sites have been chosen around the world to work with coastal communities, local partners, and experts to secure shark recovery zones. Our feature story is once again related to Important Shark and Ray Areas (ISRA) as we move closer to making this a reality. With core funding from the Shark Conservation Fund, it is exciting to share how this approach can complement other similar area-based biodiversity and seascape approaches. Both projects are progressing at a fast pace, so we hope to keep providing updates about them. By the time the next issue of Shark News is released, many of us will have met at Sharks International in Valencia, Spain. Decisions on abstracts have just been made, and the global shark community will meet online and/or in-person to share their work. The organizers have provided additional information on how to keep updated on events and contribute. With the support of the IUCN Green Status of Species Working Group, the SSG also held an online webinar on this first inter- national standard for measuring conservation actions’ effectiveness using a science-based species recovery metric. All our webinars are available to watch on our YouTube and Vimeo channels, and we urge you to subscribe to these channels to stay updated. Again, thank you to all our contributors who keep making Shark News a reality. As usual, this could not happen without the dedication and support provided by Michael and Peter Scholl. I am so very grateful. RimaLemon Shark (Negaprion brevirostris) eye | Bimini, The Bahamas Photo by Hannes Klostermann | Ocean Image Bank | theoceanagency.org6 W ith 237 members from 83 countries and territories, the IUCN SSC Shark Specialist Group is one of the largest special- ist groups within the IUCN Species Survival Commission. Across the group’s nine regions, we have many early-career scien- tists pursuing exciting work for shark, ray, and chimaera research, policy, and conservation. In this Q&A series, we will showcase some of these members, sharing their input into the SSG’s work and their ongoing work. • Dr Natascha Wosnick, Postdoctoral Fellow at Universidade Fed- eral do Paraná, SSG South America region • Issah Seidu, Founder and Team Leader of AquaLife Conservancy, SSG Africa region • Benaya Simeon, Shark and Ray Senior Officer at Wildlife Conser- vation Society, SSG Asia region What type of research do you focus on? Natascha: Conservation physiology applied to elasmobranch fisheries management, and human dimensions of elasmobranch artisanal fishing in Brazil Issah: Shark fisheries in Ghana Benaya: Shark fisheries management in Indonesia What project(s) are you currently working on? Natascha: My current research focuses on the sublethal effects of commercial fishing on elasmobranchs. More specifically, I investi- gate how commercial capture impairs elasmobranch recruitment and survival rates during the reproductive period, aiming to improve artisanal fisheries management in Brazil. I also investigate the impacts of pollution on coastal species’ Early-Career Scientists within the SSG In this Q&A series, get to know members across the group’s nine regions. Written by Chelsea Stein Photo by Natascha WosnickPhoto by Natascha Wosnick resilience and physiology, and how environmental contamination can reduce species’ ability to recover from the stress imposed by commercial fisheries. Lastly, I investigate the conflicts between artisanal communities and current legislation and potential strate- gies to reduce the lack of compliance with fishing bans on threat- ened species. Issah: I am currently working on a Zoological Society of London [ZSL) Evolutionarily Distinct and Globally Endangered (EDGE) of Existence and Rufford Foundation supported project, which seeks to assess the catch characteristics, size and maturity structure, as well as socio-economic and trade dynamics of EDGE Sharks and Rays, with a focus on guitarfishes in Western Ghana. In addition, I am supplementing these objectives with building a strong collaboration with fishers, traders, and government officials to develop conservation strategies for sharks and rays in Ghana in the near future. Benaya: I am currently working on saving sharks in Indonesia through developing and implementing science-based management re- forms. Promoting shark fisheries management through critical habitat protection, fisheries input and output control, raising awareness and capacity building, and building some economic support for shark fishers families affected by the shark fishing limits. As a large fishing country, Indonesia has its own complexity with shark fisheries management, with each island having a diverse culture and fishing behaviour. Implementing fisheries management to protect shark populations needs a science-based approach. I always aim to support and collaborate with governments, universi- ties, and local communities in my projects. As a member of the IUCN SSC Shark Specialist Group, what does your role involve? Natascha: I am part of the Bycatch Working Group, the Assess Working Group, and as a regional member for South America, I support the Regional Vice-Chairs in any request for the region. Issah: My current roles involve contributing to the updated Red List assessments of West African endemic and near-endemic sharks and rays. I also circulate information on sharks and rays through conferences, publications, and newsletters relevant to members. Benaya: I am contributing to any updates to the Red List assess- ments of sharks and rays from Indonesia, including population, distribution, fishing pressure, social economics, etc., based on my experiences from some sites across Indonesia. I circulate informa- tion and international updates for local partners to improve shark conservation action in Indonesia. What gets you excited about sharks, rays, and/or chimaeras? Natascha: What excites me most about Chondrichthyes is their di- versity and ability to cope with several stressors of both human and environmental origin. It is incredible to study the physiological aspects of these animals and discover incredible adaptations that make them unique. Issah: Growing up, we were made to believe that sharks are “man eaters.” This perception stuck with me until I started studying sharks to determine that sharks’ diet does not contain humans. I understood that sharks are really intelligent and curious animals and may bite humans out of curiosity, but will definitely swim away disinterested. Benaya: Located in the core of the Indo-Pacific, Indonesia has a high diversity of shark species; some of them are too cute, and some Photo by Issah Seidu Specimens of the Blackchin Guitarfish (Glaucostegus cemiculus)8 Photos by Natascha Wosnick Educating children about the conservation of guitarfish in BrazilCanoe vessels landed at Dixcove landing site in Ghana Photos by Issah Seidu Team members at Dixcove community measuring Blue Shark (Prionace glauca)Next >