Thread by @TheWCS

NEWS: We have a new picture of the state of reef sharks.

After nearly 400 reefs sampled across 58 nations, @globalfinprint global reef shark & ray survey is in. Results are a sobering reminder that we must act now. go.nature.com/2ONoOeo

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Why? Conservation of reef #sharks is crucial. They are vital predators keeping important coral reef ecosystems in balance. (below from Belize)

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There were bright spots in the surveys where @TheWCS works. Melanesia, including Papua New Guinea (video), Solomon Islands & Fiji in many spots. Among others. @wcsfiji @WCSPNG

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SW Indian Ocean is considered a global hotspot for shark and ray biodiversity. This kind of assessment should record a high number of species.

It's telling from the results: even in a global hotspot, abundance of sharks and rays is very low.

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We @WCSocean also work in areas worse hit by overfishing of reef sharks, survey shows. But even here areas of hope remain and these are a focus of our conservation work moving forward.

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The study also shows the importance of the locations where WCS works on shark conservation (Belize, Madagascar, PNG, etc.) to maintaining and rebuilding reef shark populations

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It shows what’s working, too. Namely, says WCS’s @LukeDavid301:

👉Strong protections
👉Well enforced MPAs
👉Removal of gear that catches large numbers of sharks (longlines and gillnets)

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Our @TheWCS team was proud to bring local knowledge in important study areas around the world to this process and co-author this important survey. go.nature.com/2ONoOeo

@WCS_Mada @WCSMozambique @wcsfiji @WCSPNG @WCS_ID @WCSBelize

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