Happy World Migratory Bird Day! Migratory birds connect ecosystems and communities across the world, travelling between different countries and habitats throughout their lives. World Migratory Bird Day raises awareness of the need to protect migratory birds and the habitats they depend on.

Important Shark and Ray Areas (ISRAs) of North America! Excited to have contributed to two ISRAs in this region 😄🦈🥞🌊

From documentation review and visual screening to targeted genetic identification, the protocol helps ensure inspections are consistent and that evidence collected can support enforcement action. Designed for dried, frozen, and processed fins — including mixed consignments and fin trimmings.

New tool for shark and ray trade enforcement A new practical protocol provides customs and enforcement officers with a step-by-step approach to inspecting shark and ray fin consignments and supporting implementation of CITES regulations.

For the Shark Specialist Group, this is an opportunity to strengthen the connections between our work and wider marine conservation efforts, ensuring that the science and expertise developed through shark, ray and chimaera conservation contribute to broader conservation priorities.

The discussions focused on identifying shared priorities and opportunities for greater collaboration across marine conservation, from tackling fisheries impacts to protecting species and ecosystems.

Sharks and rays are part of a much bigger marine conservation picture. In September, our Chair, Rima Jabado, co-hosted the IUCN SSC Marine Conservation Committee (MCC) Strategic Planning Workshop in Tenerife in her role as MCC Co-Chair.

The goal was to identify and delineate three-dimensional and discrete portions of habitat that are critical to the survival of sharks, rays, and chimaeras, and that have the potential to be managed for conservation. This led to the identification of 259 ISRAs in the regions!

ISRA Workshop – North American Pacific and Caribbean Atlantic, 2–6 March 2026, Playa del Carmen, Mexico The combined 11th and 12th Important Shark and Ray Areas (ISRA) regional expert workshop was held in hybrid mode earlier this year.

This was achieved with the support from the Shark Conservation Fund, Paul M. Angell Family Foundation, @rewildorg.bsky.social