Belated thanks to the LIFE Programme for inviting LIFE European Sharks to present at the LIFE Platform Meeting in Valencia last week.
We were asked how sharks and rays can be meaningfully integrated into the EU Nature Restoration Regulation. Our view is that restoration efforts and much needed community engagement should concentrate on critical areas for these species — including recognised IUCN SSC Shark Specialist Group #ISRAs (Important Shark and Ray Areas) and emerging hotspots.
At the same time, we need to strengthen the enabling conditions for recovery — or at least halt further degradation — by ensuring that protected species are correctly identified and released. That means clarifying regulations (currently spread across 10+ different legal instruments) and making them far better known among stakeholders and enforcement authorities.
And one final point for the IUCN SSG community: protected species lists are made – and unmade- based on RedList listings. 10-year assessments are simply too slow for the pace at which elamos decline and conservation and policy decisions are being made.
Thanks LIFEintermares for your great work and hospitality!
LIFE European Sharks (LIFE22-GIE-IT-LIFE-EU-SHARKS/101114031) is co-financed by the European Union through the LIFE Programme. The project is coordinated by Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn with partners in Croatia (Sveučilište u Splitu – University of Split), France (Parc naturel marin du Cap Corse et de l’Agriate) and Italy (Acquario di Livorno, Centro di Competenza Distrettuale, DREAm Italia – Progetti europei Corpo delle Capitanerie di Porto – Guardia Costiera, MedSharks, Shoreline and DAGRI UNIFI)
