Mapping Important Shark and Ray Areas (ISRAs) in the Central and South American Pacific: Existing knowledge and data needs

• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0322445
• Publication Date: 2025-05-07T17:57:52Z
• Authors: Emiliano García-R...; Adriana Gonzalez-...; Ryan Charles; Marta D. Palacios; Giuseppe Notarbar...; Joanna Alfaro-Shi...; Cristopher G. Ava...; Elpis J. Chávez; Mario Espinoza; Ana Hacohen-Domené; Alex R. Hearn; Felipe Galván-Magaña; James T. Ketchum; Frida Lara-Lizardi; Jorge Manuel Mora...; Naití Morales Ser...; Paola A. Mejía-Falla; Andrés F. Navia; César R. Peñaherr...; Francisco Polanco...; Yehudi Rodríguez-...; Luz E. Saldaña-Ruiz; Oscar Sosa-Nishizaki; Ximena Velez-Zuazo; Rima W. Jabado
• Keywords: Critical habitat; Marine protected area

Identifying critical habitats is key to the conservation and recovery of threatened species. A third chondrichthyans (sharks, rays, chimaeras) are with extinction but robust biological ecological information delineate for many species remains limited. Here, we investigated (1) research outputs trends across Central South American Pacific region determine whether sufficient was available identify habitats; (2) regional Important Shark Ray Areas (ISRAs) were spatially representative; (3) what which traits most commonly used in delineation (4) discuss how ISRAs can inform priorities area-based management support chondrichthyan conservation. Sixty-five identified 97 190 occurring (51%). Across life-history processes, reproductive areas (n = 50). Of 821 published studies (2,160 entries), 31.48% (28% entries) primarily focused on fisheries 48.51% included enough ISRA process. Most (58.98%) these originated from Mexico 342, 744 Ecuador 147, 276 entries). France Honduras had least relevant apply Criteria. Significant data gaps oceanic (including beyond national jurisdiction), deepwater (>200 m), along southern part (i.e., Chile). Deepwater species, chimaeras, 21% knowledge that did not allow identification ISRAs. If decisions this based ISRAs, effectively implemented enforced, diversity hotspots at could receive protection, including 79% 54% those considered range-restricted. Increased monitoring efforts, a corresponding increase funding fill existing important region.