| Grantee | Wildlife Conservation Society ↗ |
| Location | Eastern Africa |
| Grant Amount | $1,281,538 |
| Duration | 3 years |
| Type of Grant | Core |
The southwest Indian Ocean (SWIO) is a global hotspot for shark and ray species richness and endemism, yet overfishing and high demand in international trade have caused major population declines with 41% of the shark and ray species in the region now threatened with extinction. Marine protected areas (MPAs) are an important tool to ensure the conservation of this imperiled group but to date few MPAs in the SWIO consider shark and ray conservation needs. The IUCN’s Important Shark and Ray Area (ISRA) process was completed in the region in 2023 and provides a science-based approach to identify ecologically important locations for sharks and rays in which spatial management measures should be focused. This project will support improved management for sharks and rays in Kenya, Madagascar, Mozambique, and Tanzania through focused efforts for spatial management and other mortality reduction measures in shark and ray hotspots.