Aldabra Atoll in Seychelles designated Important Shark and Ray Area

Aldabra Atoll in Seychelles is designated Important Shark and Ray Area

Hey, did you hear the news about Aldabra Atoll? It’s just been recognized as an Important Shark and Ray Area (ISRA) by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Species Survival Commission shark specialist group. According to the Seychelles Islands Foundation (SIF), Aldabra’s got these specific marine habitats that are super important for the survival and well-being of sharks, rays, and chimaeras – those soft-bodied, cartilaginous fish.

SIF actually submitted Aldabra’s nomination back in August 2023, and it went through this whole evaluation process at an ISRA workshop in Durban, South Africa, last September. They even had an independent review panel check it out before giving it the thumbs up.

This ISRA thing is all about scientific criteria, considering stuff like how restricted the species’ ranges are and their status on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Aldabra had a ton of evidence backing it up, mostly from sighting records and photos collected over the years by Aldabra staff, volunteers, and researchers.

Dr. Frauke Fleischer-Dogley, the head of SIF, mentioned how this designation is a big deal for focusing attention on protecting these threatened animals, especially with so many coral reef sharks and ray species at risk. Since they submitted the nomination, they’ve already logged over 500 more sightings on Aldabra, with exact locations this time!

And get this, Aldabra’s now part of a special group of areas globally recognized for their biodiversity. This designation is like a call to action, pushing policymakers and stakeholders to really step up conservation efforts and make sure these areas are protected for the long haul. Exciting stuff, huh?

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