New additions to the global ISRA eAtlas reveal major migration corridors, nursery grounds, and aggregation sites across Atlantic, Caribbean and Pacific waters.
https://iucnssg.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/ISRA-Region-4_North-American-Caribbean-and-Atlantic_compendium-scaled-e1790057551431.webp18102560Alexandra Moratahttps://iucnssg.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/iucn-ssc-shark-specialist-group-ssg-logo-2021-b-w-cropped.pngAlexandra Morata2026-09-24 20:00:352026-09-25 06:15:17259 important shark, ray, and chimaera habitats mapped across North America and the Caribbean
https://iucnssg.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/ocean-1_orig.png800566ElenaSSGhttps://iucnssg.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/iucn-ssc-shark-specialist-group-ssg-logo-2021-b-w-cropped.pngElenaSSG2026-01-14 07:09:252026-09-24 07:01:45New Global Report Identifies Critical Habitats for Migratory Sharks and Rays
https://iucnssg.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/press-release-important-shark-and-ray-areas-in-european-atlantic_orig.jpg800566ElenaSSGhttps://iucnssg.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/iucn-ssc-shark-specialist-group-ssg-logo-2021-b-w-cropped.pngElenaSSG2025-09-23 07:40:262026-09-24 07:02:28124 Important Shark and Ray Areas Identified Across the European Atlantic
Atlantis Dubai announces the selection of seven local and international conservation and sustainability projects set to receive funding from the Atlantis Atlas Project Contribution Programme 2025-26 cycle, including the IUCN SSC Shark Specialist Group. From June 2024 to May 2025, for every green meeting event and marine animal experience participated in by a guest, Atlantis Dubai contributed a portion of earnings, resulting in a $123,000 (USD) fund, which aims to support projects that help protect the ocean and our environment. Since the programme was launched in 2021, the initiative has now raised over half a million dollars ($509,000) and supported 30 projects.
https://iucnssg.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/dsc00813-1_orig.png7331100ElenaSSGhttps://iucnssg.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/iucn-ssc-shark-specialist-group-ssg-logo-2021-b-w-cropped.pngElenaSSG2025-09-17 00:00:002026-09-24 07:00:29Atlantis Dubai Announces Over Half A Million Dollars Of Funding Since The Inception Of Atlantis Atlas Project In Support Of Conservation And Sustainability
As the biodiversity crisis in our oceans continues to raise alarm, major progress to protect pivotal ocean species was achieved today at the UN Ocean Conference.
https://iucnssg.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/ministers-and-supporters-at-launch-of-coalition-to-halt-shark-and-ray-extinction-at-un-oceans-conference-11-june-2025_orig.png8001067ElenaSSGhttps://iucnssg.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/iucn-ssc-shark-specialist-group-ssg-logo-2021-b-w-cropped.pngElenaSSG2025-06-11 00:00:002026-09-24 08:04:35Nations come on board to Halt Shark and Ray Extinction
https://iucnssg.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/press-release-important-shark-and-ray-areas-in-south-american-waters-eng_orig.jpg800566ElenaSSGhttps://iucnssg.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/iucn-ssc-shark-specialist-group-ssg-logo-2021-b-w-cropped.pngElenaSSG2025-05-06 08:04:572026-09-24 08:18:23Critical Habitats for Sharks and Rays Identified Across South America’s Atlantic and Inland Waters
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has released a report, Global Status of Sharks, Rays and Chimaeras, that highlights new knowledge compiled by 353 experts from 115 countries and stresses the urgent need to address overfishing and bycatch in all countries.
Regional press releases available for: International, Asia, Europe, Oceania, and South America
https://iucnssg.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/the-global-status-of-sharks-ray-and-chimaeras-front-cover_orig.jpg800566ElenaSSGhttps://iucnssg.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/iucn-ssc-shark-specialist-group-ssg-logo-2021-b-w-cropped.pngElenaSSG2024-12-02 08:09:532026-09-21 07:44:44A third of sharks, rays and chimaeras are threatened with extinction, as new report narrows in on solutions
“Protecting Sharks and Rays in Pacific Islands waters”
A recent assessment using the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species indicated that more than one-third of sharks, rays, and chimaeras are threatened with extinction.
https://iucnssg.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/2024-09-isra-region-10-new-zealand-and-pacific-islands_orig.jpg800621ElenaSSGhttps://iucnssg.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/iucn-ssc-shark-specialist-group-ssg-logo-2021-b-w-cropped.pngElenaSSG2024-09-25 08:18:102026-09-30 12:34:18Important Shark and Ray Areas delineated in the New Zealand and Pacific Islands region
See here for the press release by the Large Marine Vertebrates Research Institute Philippines (LAMAVE), featuring the ISRAs delineated in the Asia region
https://iucnssg.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/03-map-of-isra-in-the-philippines_orig.png10801080ElenaSSGhttps://iucnssg.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/iucn-ssc-shark-specialist-group-ssg-logo-2021-b-w-cropped.pngElenaSSG2024-07-14 00:00:002026-09-30 13:04:46A decade of LAMAVE research shapes IUCN Important Shark and Ray Areas in the Philippines
The Important Shark and Ray Areas (ISRA) project has released a compendium of Important Shark and Ray Areas identified the waters of Asia. Areas delineated range in size from 0.9 km2 to 420,817.93 km2, encompassing shallow coastal waters to seas as deep as 1,928 m. They are important for a wide range of threatened and non-threatened species including the Widenose Guitarfish Glaucostegus obtusus, the Giant Freshwater Whipray Urogymnus polylepis, the Megamouth Shark Megachasma pelagios.
https://iucnssg.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/press-2024-05-isra-region-9-asia-pdf_orig.jpg800618ElenaSSGhttps://iucnssg.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/iucn-ssc-shark-specialist-group-ssg-logo-2021-b-w-cropped.pngElenaSSG2024-05-08 08:20:372026-08-26 08:21:53122 Important Shark and Ray Areas identified in Asia
259 important shark, ray, and chimaera habitats mapped across North America and the Caribbean
Important Shark and Ray Areas (ISRA), News, Press, Publication releaseNew additions to the global ISRA eAtlas reveal major migration corridors, nursery grounds, and aggregation sites across Atlantic, Caribbean and Pacific waters.
New Global Report Identifies Critical Habitats for Migratory Sharks and Rays
Important Shark and Ray Areas (ISRA), News, Press, Publication releaseIUCN SSC Shark Specialist Group unveils the first-ever coordinated global map of Important Shark and Ray Areas (ISRAs) for CMS-listed sharks and rays
124 Important Shark and Ray Areas Identified Across the European Atlantic
Important Shark and Ray Areas (ISRA), News, PressMajor step forward for threatened species conservation in Northern Europe.
Atlantis Dubai Announces Over Half A Million Dollars Of Funding Since The Inception Of Atlantis Atlas Project In Support Of Conservation And Sustainability
News, PressAtlantis Dubai announces the selection of seven local and international conservation and sustainability projects set to receive funding from the Atlantis Atlas Project Contribution Programme 2025-26 cycle, including the IUCN SSC Shark Specialist Group. From June 2024 to May 2025, for every green meeting event and marine animal experience participated in by a guest, Atlantis Dubai contributed a portion of earnings, resulting in a $123,000 (USD) fund, which aims to support projects that help protect the ocean and our environment. Since the programme was launched in 2021, the initiative has now raised over half a million dollars ($509,000) and supported 30 projects.
Nations come on board to Halt Shark and Ray Extinction
HALT Shark and Ray Extinction, News, PressAs the biodiversity crisis in our oceans continues to raise alarm, major progress to protect pivotal ocean species was achieved today at the UN Ocean Conference.
Critical Habitats for Sharks and Rays Identified Across South America’s Atlantic and Inland Waters
Important Shark and Ray Areas (ISRA), News, Press, Publication releaseResults of five-day workshop on Important Shark and Ray Areas final with 102 areas identified across the region.
A third of sharks, rays and chimaeras are threatened with extinction, as new report narrows in on solutions
PressThe International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has released a report, Global Status of Sharks, Rays and Chimaeras, that highlights new knowledge compiled by 353 experts from 115 countries and stresses the urgent need to address overfishing and bycatch in all countries.
Regional press releases available for: International, Asia, Europe, Oceania, and South America
Important Shark and Ray Areas delineated in the New Zealand and Pacific Islands region
Important Shark and Ray Areas (ISRA), News, Press“Protecting Sharks and Rays in Pacific Islands waters”
A recent assessment using the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species indicated that more than one-third of sharks, rays, and chimaeras are threatened with extinction.
A decade of LAMAVE research shapes IUCN Important Shark and Ray Areas in the Philippines
Important Shark and Ray Areas (ISRA), News, PressSee here for the press release by the Large Marine Vertebrates Research Institute Philippines (LAMAVE), featuring the ISRAs delineated in the Asia region
122 Important Shark and Ray Areas identified in Asia
PressThe Important Shark and Ray Areas (ISRA) project has released a compendium of Important Shark and Ray Areas identified the waters of Asia. Areas delineated range in size from 0.9 km2 to 420,817.93 km2, encompassing shallow coastal waters to seas as deep as 1,928 m. They are important for a wide range of threatened and non-threatened species including the Widenose Guitarfish Glaucostegus obtusus, the Giant Freshwater Whipray Urogymnus polylepis, the Megamouth Shark Megachasma pelagios.