IUCN Shark Specialist Group
Project Leader: Sarah Fowler
Background
The completion of the SSG’s global ten year programme to complete Red List assessments for all sharks, rays and chimaeras presents significant opportunity to build upon results and develop new projects. The development of the SSG’s new website through the support of SOSF in 2008 provides an excellent opportunity to strategically launch this with the ‘Global Shark Red List Assessment’ in 2009 to maximise publicity for these projects.
The Global Shark Red List Assessment has been developed through regional workshops. These results must also be published and disseminated effectively if they are to achieve their full potential for informing the public, influencing decision-makers all over the world, and guiding the development of effective conservation and management policies. During 2009 the SSG will continue the communications and capacity building programme initiated in 2008 and to develop significant new products that will enhance its effect.
These products are outlined below.
The Global Shark Red List Assessment has been developed through regional workshops. These results must also be published and disseminated effectively if they are to achieve their full potential for informing the public, influencing decision-makers all over the world, and guiding the development of effective conservation and management policies. During 2009 the SSG will continue the communications and capacity building programme initiated in 2008 and to develop significant new products that will enhance its effect.
These products are outlined below.
- Launch of Global Shark Red List Assessment and Website
- Re-establishment of SSG and Capacity Building for Regional Network Web Pages
- Development of a SSG newsletter - Shark News
- Regional Red List Reports
Aims & objectives
Funding provided by SOSF is allowing the SSG to complete its work and publish all findings through a multi-lingual website. The website will provide a forum for the SSG to present all relative information to it members and policy makers. The site will include sections from the SSG work on the Global Shark Assessment, CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna), CMS (Convention on Migratory Species), and IPOA-Sharks (implementation of the FAO international plan of action for the conservation of sharks). The website will also contain the finished assessment of the first global IUCN Red List of threatened species. This will be the first completed assessment of an entire marine taxonomic class and is due to be launched at the 4th IUCN World Conservation Congress in Oct 2008.
In addition to the new website the major aim of the SSG’s communications and capacity building programme is to enable the SSG to continue to build upon the important work that it has undertaken over the past 17 years, by continuing to improve its capacity for effective communication and the dissemination of its members’ expertise.
The four major objectives for 2009 are the launch of the SSG’s ‘Global Shark Red List Assessment’, essential reformation of the SSG network and support for its Regional Vice-Chairs in the development and administration of regional WebPages, the re-launch of Shark News and production of further reports in the SSG’s regional Red List series. This improves the SSG’s contribution to the work of international instruments and initiatives, such as CITES, CMS and the IPOA–Sharks, and inform the development of global, regional and local policy and management decisions.
In addition to the new website the major aim of the SSG’s communications and capacity building programme is to enable the SSG to continue to build upon the important work that it has undertaken over the past 17 years, by continuing to improve its capacity for effective communication and the dissemination of its members’ expertise.
The four major objectives for 2009 are the launch of the SSG’s ‘Global Shark Red List Assessment’, essential reformation of the SSG network and support for its Regional Vice-Chairs in the development and administration of regional WebPages, the re-launch of Shark News and production of further reports in the SSG’s regional Red List series. This improves the SSG’s contribution to the work of international instruments and initiatives, such as CITES, CMS and the IPOA–Sharks, and inform the development of global, regional and local policy and management decisions.