RAYS AND SHARKS

Rays and sharks are fascinating animals, both for the dance of their swimming and for the fear that some of them inspires us. Usually located at the top of the food chain, these species play a major role in marine ecosystems. Because of their biology so unusual in the world of fish (for many species, females give birth to few descendants, after long periods of gestation), the populations of the majority of these species are particularly sensitive to fishing. Thus, many species of sharks and rays are currently considered vulnerable or endangered (see list on the IUCN - International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources website). Awareness of the urgency of protecting these species is recent and many efforts must be made for the conservation of rays and sharks.