The IUCN/SSC Shark Specialist Group
IUCN/SSC Red List
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North and Central America Shark Specialist Group Red List Workshop
Mote Marine Lab, Florida, USA
15th-18th June 2004
The Workshop will be primarily in English, with some Spanish translation
(en Espaņol)
Call for Participants
IUCN Shark Specialist Group
The Shark Specialist Group (SSG) was established in 1991. The group consists of 150 of the world's shark and ray experts actively engaged in research, management, conservation and/or policy formulation. The SSG provides leadership for the conservation of threatened species and populations of all sharks, skates, rays, and related species, and promotes their long-term conservation, effective management of their fisheries and habitats. The SSG is charged with the preparation of species assessments for the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. This list is widely recognised as the most comprehensive source of information on the global conservation status of plant and animal species and is updated annually. The detailed assessments evaluate the conservation status of individual species, identify processes that threaten them and, if necessary, propose objectives for their recovery. In order to complete Red List assessments for sharks and rays, SSG workshops have already been conducted in Subequatorial Africa, South America, Australasia and the Mediterranean. For more information on the Red List, visit www.redlist.org
Sharks and Rays
Sharks and closely related rays are particularly vulnerable to overfishing because they grow slowly, mature late and produce few offspring. In addition, most sharks travel across national and international political boundaries, complicating their conservation. Despite growing awareness and political will, shark fisheries management remains hindered by a lack of basic knowledge of the status of most species. Developing and collating this information is essential to establishing and improving shark conservation and management programs.
The Workshop
Building upon the model of success in other regions, this workshop will bring together about 50 of its members and other experts from throughout North and Central America, including the Caribbean. The group will include scientists from California State University's Moss Landing Marine Laboratories, Mote Marine Laboratory's Center for Shark Research, Virginia Institute of Marine Science, and the Florida Program for Shark Research, as well as shark researchers and fishery managers from the U.S., Mexican and Canadian governments, and many other institutions throughout North and Central America.
North and Central American waters support a great diversity of sharks and rays, all of which play an important role in marine ecosystem. These vulnerable species, however, face mounting threats. Critical habitats are being degraded, and fisheries are expanding in many cases before basic life history and population information is known. Few countries in this region have any management for shark and ray fisheries, while other countries often set inconsistent limits for the same migratory populations. Assessment of species' status and development of cooperative partnerships throughout the region are critical elements for improving this situation.
Workshop Aims
Participants will:
- Share information and expertise pertaining to North and Central American shark and ray fauna;
- Compile and analyse existing data on life history and population status;
- Examine current and future threats to the species;
- Complete Red List assessments for each species; and
- Develop prioritized recommendations for the conservation and research of sharks and rays in the region.
Workshop Outcomes
It is envisaged the workshop will receive media attention to raise the profile of the plight of sharks and rays in the region. A published report will be produced which will be an invaluable source of information for the region, providing comprehensive assessments of the threatened status of the region's fauna, together with recommendations for future work priorities. In addition, all assessments will be submitted for inclusion in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
Sponsors
Core funds have been provided by a number of US-based donors. Mote Marine Laboratory are generously providing the venue and other logistic support. We still hope to raise further funds for additional travel costs, Spanish translation and report production.
For further information on participation or to help sponsor the workshop please contact:
Sonja Fordham: Sonja@oceanconservancy.org
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