Shark and ray conservation framing, Important Shark and Ray Areas (ISRAs), sea turtle links, and citizen science.
The network supported shark and ray conservation in Okinawa, including work around Important Shark and Ray Areas (ISRAs), sea turtle protection, citizen science, and school outreach so that Okinawa’s marine life could be better understood and defended.
Okinawa is now home to seven officially recognized Important Shark and Ray Areas (ISRAs).
These sites were proposed by shark and ray researchers from Okinawa and accepted in January 2025 by the IUCN SSC Shark Specialist Group.
Current efforts, coordinated through the NPO, focus on expanding research (including tagging and environmental surveys) to better understand the spatial and temporal use of these areas. In parallel, we work closely with local communities, fisheries, and government partners to build shared knowledge and capacity, supporting informed and inclusive conservation planning in Okinawa.