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Effectiveness of Marine Reserves in the conservation of rays and sharks

Pleamar program

Description

This project aims to advance the knowledge of the ecology of four species of coastal elasmobranchs: mosaic ray (Raja undulata), painted ray (R. montagui), winged shark (Scyliorhinus stellaris) and catshark (S. canicula) in the Ría de Cedeira Marine Reserve of Fishing Interest and in the Cabo de Palos ‐ Islas Hormigas Marine Reserve.

Through this project, FUAC has contributed to expanding the knowledge of the ecology of two species of rays (R. undulata and R. montagui) and two sharks (S. canicula and S. stellaris) in the RMIP Ría de Cedeira and in the RM Cabo de Palos ‐ Islas Hormigas.

The study has focused on the distribution, abundance and use of the habitat, based on the traditional ecological knowledge (TEC) of fishermen (professional and recreational) and recreational divers in each of the study areas; It has also been possible to analyse the spatial‐temporal dynamics of the species through ultrasonic telemetry experiments, and to determine the effectiveness of the reserves on the protection of coastal elasmobranchs in general and on the species studied in particular.

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Line of action:

Marine ecosystems

Status:

Finalizado

Execution date:

2014

To expand the knowledge of the ecology of two species of rays (R. undulata andR. montagu (i) and twoSharks(S. caniculaandS. stellaris) in the RMIPCedeira Estuaryand in theRM Cabo de Palos ‐ Islas Hormigas.

Actions carried out:

  • The diversity of species, distribution, abundance, habitat use and breeding areas of the elasmobranch species present in the RMIP Ría de Cedeira and in the RM Cabo de Palos – Islas Hormigas have been characterized, by obtaining the TEC of the users of the reserves.
  • It has been possible to analyse the spatio-temporal dynamics of the species by implanting ultrasonic telemetry transmitters in rays and sharks.
  • The habitat use at the microscale (m) of several specimens of ray and shark tagged and released in the RMIP Ría de Cedeira and in the RMI Cabo de Palos – Islas Hormigas has been analyzed. As well as the use of the mesoscale habitat (km) of several specimens of ray and shark tagged and released in both reserves.
  • A mapping of the distribution and abundance of elasmobranch species present in the PIGR has been developed in a Geographic Information System (GIS).

For all the previous contributions, the results of the project have facilitated both the adoption of protection measures and fisheries management for the recovery of their stocks, the maintenance of biodiversity and the sustainable management of fisheries resources.


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Effectiveness of Marine Reserves in the conservation of rays and sharks

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