Publication
Widespread diversity deficits of coral reef sharks and rays
Publisher:
American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)
Date:
16-06-2023
DOI:
10.1126/SCIENCE.ADE4884
Abstract: A global survey of coral reefs reveals that overfishing is driving resident shark species toward extinction, causing ersity 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 in idual 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 ersity deficits, loss of ecological function and ecosystem services will increasingly affect human communities.