Conservation and management of chondrichthyans in the Mediterranean Sea: gaps, overlaps, inconsistencies, and the way forward

Abstract

Over one third of sharks, rays and chimaeras (chondrichthyans) are threatened with extinction globally. In the Mediterranean Sea, more than half of chondrichthyan species face this risk, although a variety of international, regional, and national rules and regulations apply directly and indirectly targeting management and conservation for these species. In this work, we provide an overview of relevant legislation and policies in the region, which regulate, inter alia, commercial fisheries, while highlighting through cases studies how implementation in practice at national level looks like. Horizontal gaps and inconsistencies that hinder chondrichthyan management in the region are also illustrated. Furthermore, we present recommendations for improvement and additional tools that can be used, even if not originally or explicitly targeting chondrichthyans, for improving the management of these taxa in the Mediterranean.