Seychelles leads region in safeguarding sharks and rays |20 January 2026

Atolls, like Saint Joseph in Seychelles, act as safe spaces for young animals, especially sharks and rays. The shallow water and the coral reef that surrounds the atoll lagoons reduce access for large predatory sharks (Photo © Luke Saddler)

Seychelles leads region in safeguarding sharks and rays

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.

Published in the journal Ecology and Evolution, the study assessed how recently identified Important Shark and Ray Areas (ISRAs) overlap with existing marine protected areas. Of the 125 ISRAs identified across the region, only 7.1 percent currently fall within marine protected areas – and just 1 percent are fully protected no-take zones, where all extractive activities are banned. These findings underscore significant shortfalls in protecting vital breeding, pupping, and feeding grounds for sharks and rays.

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