Silky shark tagging study reveals gaps in marine protected areas
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Updates every hour. Last Updated: 26-Apr-2026 08:16 ET (26-Apr-2026 12:16 GMT/UTC)
· Satellite tracking of silky sharks shows they spend about half their time beyond the safety of Eastern Tropical Pacific marine reserves
· Researchers warn that highly mobile silky sharks remain vulnerable to industrial fishing fleets despite a growing MPA network
A new scientific study has revealed major gaps in the protection of critical shark and ray habitats across the Western Indian Ocean – but has also highlighted Seychelles as a clear regional leader in safeguarding these species.
Among sharks and rays, species within the first four million years of existence are significantly more likely to go extinct than older species, according to a study led by researchers from the University of Zurich based on fossils from the last 145 million years. This shows that in addition to environmental stressors, the evolutionary age of species also plays a crucial role in their survival.
Drone footage revealed constant violations of Mexico’s whale shark tourism rules, even when far fewer boats were on the water than regulations allow. The findings raise broader questions about whether popular wildlife encounters — from manta rays and sea turtles to whales and even elephants — are truly “ecotourism” and highlight the need for stronger monitoring and community-led stewardship.