Integrating local ecological knowledge, citizen science and long‐term historical data for endangered species conservation: Additional records of angel sharks (Chondrichthyes: Squatinidae) in the Mediterranean Sea

All three species of angel sharks (genus Squatina) inhabiting the Mediterranean Sea are listed as Critically Endangered in the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List of Threatened Species due to overexploitation. New records from Cyprus, Greece, Italy and Libya were collected from c...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Aquatic conservation 2019-06, Vol.29 (6), p.881-890
Main Authors: Giovos, Ioannis, Stoilas, Vasilis‐Orestis, Al‐Mabruk, Sara AA, Doumpas, Nikolaos, Marakis, Philippos, Maximiadi, Mary, Moutopoulos, Dimitrios, Kleitou, Periklis, Keramidas, Ioannis, Tiralongo, Francesco, Maddalena, Alessandro
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Angelshark
Conservation
Digital media
Endangered & extinct species
Endangered species
Fish conservation
Fisheries
Fishery data
History
International cooperation
Marine fishes
mediterranean
Nature conservation
New records
Overexploitation
Protected species
Rare species
sawback angelshark
Sharks
smoothback angelshark
Social media
Threatened species
unconventional sources
Wildlife
Wildlife conservation
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Summary:All three species of angel sharks (genus Squatina) inhabiting the Mediterranean Sea are listed as Critically Endangered in the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List of Threatened Species due to overexploitation. New records from Cyprus, Greece, Italy and Libya were collected from citizen‐scientists and integrated with local knowledge obtained using structured interviews in the four countries. Observations and reports, together with an analysis of the reconstructed fisheries data, resulted in the identification of areas of interest, a review of the illegal trade of the species and a debate about the credibility of fisheries data for assessing threatened and/or protected species. Unconventional sources of information, such as social media, were identified as important tools for monitoring rare and endangered marine wildlife. This work will contribute to promoting international cooperation for advancing angel shark conservation in line with the Eastern Atlantic and Mediterranean Angel Shark Conservation Strategy.
ISSN:1052-7613
1099-0755
DOI:10.1002/aqc.3089