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Marine conservation

Mixed management boosts reef shark abundance

A global survey using baited cameras on coral reefs demonstrates a near twofold increase in the relative abundance of reef sharks in marine protected areas that are also embedded within areas of effective fisheries management. However, such conservation benefits were not evident for wide-ranging sharks or rays found on the reef.

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Fig. 1: Relative abundance of reef-associated sharks is influenced by social, geographical and management factors.

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Correspondence to David M. P. Jacoby.

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Jacoby, D.M.P. Mixed management boosts reef shark abundance. Nat Ecol Evol (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41559-024-02393-w

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