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Dryad

Video from: Towards dynamic conservation and dynamic management of a migratory shark species in the Eastern Tropical Pacific

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Sep 25, 2026 version files 1.34 GB

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Abstract

Highly migratory pelagic species such as the silky shark (Carcharhinus falciformis) are experiencing widespread population declines, largely driven by targeted fisheries and bycatch. While existing spatial conservation measures such as marine protected areas (MPAs) play an important role in safeguarding marine biodiversity, such highly mobile predators continue to face pressures beyond static boundaries. To better understand and support dynamic conservation and management of this species, we developed a high-resolution (daily, 9 km) species distribution model (SDM) to assess habitat suitability across the Eastern Tropical Pacific using ~17 years of satellite tracking data. Our daily projections reveal that habitat suitability varies markedly in response to environmental conditions, including El Niño events, and a dynamically changing contribution of MPAs and Important Shark and Ray Areas. Our findings suggest a potential pathway towards near-real-time dynamic management and conservation, and the need for integrated spatial protection strategies that account for multiscale environmental variability in shark habitat.