Half a century of rising extinction risk of coral reef sharks and rays

C. Samantha Sherman (), Colin A. Simpfendorfer, Nathan Pacoureau, Jay H. Matsushiba, Helen F. Yan, Rachel H. L. Walls, Cassandra L. Rigby, Wade J. VanderWright, Rima W. Jabado, Riley A. Pollom, John K. Carlson, Patricia Charvet, Ahmad Ali, Fahmi, Jessica Cheok, Danielle H. Derrick, Katelyn B. Herman, Brittany Finucci, Tyler D. Eddy, Maria Lourdes D. Palomares, Christopher G. Avalos-Castillo, Bineesh Kinattumkara, María-del-Pilar Blanco-Parra, Dharmadi, Mario Espinoza, Daniel Fernando, Alifa B. Haque, Paola A. Mejía-Falla, Andrés F. Navia, Juan Carlos Pérez-Jiménez, Jean Utzurrum, Ranny R. Yuneni and Nicholas K. Dulvy
Additional contact information
C. Samantha Sherman: Simon Fraser University
Colin A. Simpfendorfer: James Cook University
Nathan Pacoureau: Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Jay H. Matsushiba: Simon Fraser University
Helen F. Yan: James Cook University
Rachel H. L. Walls: Simon Fraser University
Cassandra L. Rigby: James Cook University
Wade J. VanderWright: Simon Fraser University
Rima W. Jabado: James Cook University
Riley A. Pollom: Species Recovery Program, Seattle Aquarium
John K. Carlson: NOAA Fisheries Service
Patricia Charvet: Programa de Pós-graduação em Sistemática, Uso e Conservação da Biodiversidade (PPGSis - UFC), Acesso Público
Ahmad Ali: Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center, Jalan Pelabuhan LKIM, Chendering
Fahmi: Research Center for Oceanography, National Research and Innovation Agency - Indonesia
Jessica Cheok: Simon Fraser University
Danielle H. Derrick: Simon Fraser University
Katelyn B. Herman: Georgia Aquarium
Brittany Finucci: National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA)
Tyler D. Eddy: Memorial University of Newfoundland
Maria Lourdes D. Palomares: University of British Columbia
Christopher G. Avalos-Castillo: Fundación Mundo Azul
Bineesh Kinattumkara: Zoological Survey of India, Marine Biology Regional Centre
María-del-Pilar Blanco-Parra: Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnología
Mario Espinoza: Universidad de Costa Rica, San Pedro de Montes de Oca
Daniel Fernando: Blue Resources Trust
Alifa B. Haque: University of Oxford
Paola A. Mejía-Falla: Wildlife Conservation Society - WCS Colombia
Andrés F. Navia: Fundación colombiana para la investigación y conservación de tiburones y rayas - SQUALUS
Juan Carlos Pérez-Jiménez: El Colegio de la Frontera Sur
Jean Utzurrum: Marine Wildlife Watch of the Philippines, G/F Bonifacio Ridge Building, 1st Avenue
Ranny R. Yuneni: WWF-Indonesia
Nicholas K. Dulvy: Simon Fraser University

Nature Communications, 2023, vol. 14, issue 1, 1-11

Abstract: Abstract Sharks and rays are key functional components of coral reef ecosystems, yet many populations of a few species exhibit signs of depletion and local extinctions. The question is whether these declines forewarn of a global extinction crisis. We use IUCN Red List to quantify the status, trajectory, and threats to all coral reef sharks and rays worldwide. Here, we show that nearly two-thirds (59%) of the 134 coral-reef associated shark and ray species are threatened with extinction. Alongside marine mammals, sharks and rays are among the most threatened groups found on coral reefs. Overfishing is the main cause of elevated extinction risk, compounded by climate change and habitat degradation. Risk is greatest for species that are larger-bodied (less resilient and higher trophic level), widely distributed across several national jurisdictions (subject to a patchwork of management), and in nations with greater fishing pressure and weaker governance. Population declines have occurred over more than half a century, with greatest declines prior to 2005. Immediate action through local protections, combined with broad-scale fisheries management and Marine Protected Areas, is required to avoid extinctions and the loss of critical ecosystem function condemning reefs to a loss of shark and ray biodiversity and ecosystem services, limiting livelihoods and food security.

Date: 2023
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-35091-x

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