Mission Blue Chief Scientist Co-Authors Study on Shark and Ray Protection in the Western Indian Ocean

Mission Blue Chief Scientist Dr. Tessa Hempson is among the authors of a new study published in Ecology and Evolution examining how well critical shark, ray, and chimaera habitats are protected across the Western Indian Ocean.

The research assessed 125 Important Shark and Ray Areas, spanning more than 2.8 million square kilometres, and found substantial gaps in existing marine protection. These areas support 104 shark, ray, and chimaera species, many of which are threatened with extinction, underscoring the importance of protecting the habitats they rely on.

The study highlights how Important Shark and Ray Areas can help guide marine spatial planning and future conservation efforts by identifying places that are especially significant for feeding, reproduction, movement, and other key life stages. By combining published science with local knowledge, fisheries information, visual surveys, and citizen science, the research provides a stronger foundation for more targeted protection across the region.

For Mission Blue, the findings reinforce the importance of science-led, place-based conservation and ensuring that marine protection reaches the areas where vulnerable species need it most.

Explore the article in full online at onlinelibrary.wiley.com.