Widespread diversity deficits of coral reef sharks and rays
journal contribution
posted on 2024-11-17, 12:57authored byColin A Simpfendorfer, Michael R Heithaus, Michelle R Heupel, M Aaron MacNeil, Mark Meekan, Euan Harvey, C Samantha Sherman, Leanne M Currey-Randall, Jordan S Goetze, Jeremy J Kiszka, Matthew J Rees, Conrad W Speed, Vinay Udyawer, Mark E Bond, Kathryn I Flowers, Gina M Clementi, Jasmine Valentin-Albanese, M Shiham Adam, Khadeeja Ali, Jacob Asher, Eva Aylagas, Océane Beaufort, Cecilie Benjamin, Anthony TF Bernard, Michael L Berumen, Stacy Bierwagen, Chico Birrell, Erika Bonnema, Rosalind MK Bown
A global survey of coral reefs reveals that overfishing is driving resident shark species toward extinction, causing diversity deficits in reef elasmobranch (shark and ray) assemblages. Our species-level analysis revealed global declines of 60 to 73% for five common resident reef shark species and that individual shark species were not detected at 34 to 47% of surveyed reefs. As reefs become more shark-depleted, rays begin to dominate assemblages. Shark-dominated assemblages persist in wealthy nations with strong governance and in highly protected areas, whereas poverty, weak governance, and a lack of shark management are associated with depauperate assemblages mainly composed of rays. Without action to address these diversity deficits, loss of ecological function and ecosystem services will increasingly affect human communities.