Sharks and rays on the world's coral reefs are facing a serious risk of extinction, according to a new study.
Coral Reef Shark and Ray Species at Risk of Extinction
Researchers from Simon Fraser University in Vancouver have learned that 59 percent of reef sharks and rays are threatened with extinction, and they could have a dire effect on the ecosystem and coastal communities, Daily Mail reported.
The study examined the assessment of the conservation status of all 1,200 species of sharks and rays coordinated in 2021 by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). About 134 of the species live in the coral reefs.
The researchers used a range of previous studies and fishing data and found that reef sharks and rays were more at risk than other sharks and rays. Larger species that travel long distances are also more vulnerable due to crossing different jurisdictions with varying levels of protection.
The researchers noted that sharks and rays are "key functional components of coral reef ecosystems," exhibiting signs of depletion and local extinction.
Marine mammals, sharks, and rays are the most threatened groups on coral reefs.
Reasons Behind Increasing Risk of Extinction Among Coral Reef Sharks and Rays
There are several reasons why coral reef sharks and rays are at risk of extinction. However, the biggest threat, according to the study, is overfishing, which accounted for 75 percent of the sharks and rays studied.
Climate change and habitat degradation are other factors. Coral reefs are extremely sensitive to small environmental changes, making them an increasingly at-risk habitat.
A study from the University of Hawaii found that 50 percent of the Earth's coral reefs will be permanently damaged by 2035 when looking at multiple stressors, considering its current condition, and by 2050 when looking at a single stressor, according to Daily Mail in a separate report.
Fishermen targeting sharks or rays threatened two-thirds of the species, while unintentional catching threatened 98 percent.
Of the 134 species, 109 were used for human consumption. Some use ray skin to create leather, while others sell fins and shark meat on the market.
In countries with a weak policy in conserving sharks and rays, like Brazil, Tanzania, and Indonesia, the risk of extinction for the said species is even higher.
Researchers Suggest Immediate Action
The decline of coral reef sharks and rays has occurred for over half a century. The greatest declines happened before 2005.
The researchers called for immediate action through local protection. They also suggested combining it with broad-scale fisheries management and Marine Protection Areas to avoid extinction and loss of critical ecosystem function.
There are currently 150 388 species on the ICUN Red list, with 42 108 being threatened with extinction. If no action is taken, 28 percent of all species could disappear.
The study is published in Nature Communications.
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