Monitoring Threatened Elasmobranchs in the South Aegean

The South Aegean Sea is considered an important area for several threatened species of sharks and rays, yet scientific information on their distribution, abundance, and ecology remains limited. This lack of data hinders the development of effective conservation and management measures for these highly vulnerable species.

The project "Monitoring Threatened Elasmobranchs in the South Aegean" was implemented to improve knowledge of threatened elasmobranch populations through non-fisheries-dependent monitoring. The study focused on collecting baseline ecological data, documenting species occurrence, and identifying areas of conservation importance for sharks and rays in the region.

The information gathered contributes to a better understanding of the distribution and habitat use of threatened elasmobranchs in the South Aegean and provides a scientific basis for future conservation planning, management actions, and policy development aimed at protecting these species in Greek waters.