Sharks, rays and marine protected areas: A critical evaluation of current perspectives

Abstract Marine protected areas ( MPA s) are increasingly advocated for the conservation and management of sharks and rays. However, substantial uncertainty remains regarding which species can benefit from MPA s. Meanwhile, area‐focused protection targets have spurred recent and rapid gains in the creation of large MPA s, many of which carry vague objectives set by a diverse group of stakeholders with potentially different notions of “success.” Here, we capture and critically evaluate current views on the use of MPA s for shark and ray conservation. Through interviews with scientists, MPA managers, fisheries experts, conservation practitioners, advocates and policy experts ( n  = 53), we demonstrate a variety of perspectives regarding: (a) the effectiveness of MPA s as a tool for shark and ray conservation; (b) which factors influence the success of MPA s for sharks and rays; and (c) the desired outcomes of these MPA s. While MPA s created specifically for sharks and rays were viewed to be slightly more effective than regular MPA s as a tool for shark and ray conservation, both were generally considered insufficient in isolation. Despite greater emphasis on social success factors (e.g., local support) over biophysical success factors (e.g., size), biological outcomes (e.g., increased abundance) were prioritized over social outcomes (e.g., livelihood benefits). We argue that a stronger focus on achieving social outcomes can enhance the potential for MPA s to benefit sharks and rays. In revealing current thinking regarding the drivers and indicators of MPA success for sharks and rays, the results of this study can inform efforts to conserve and manage these species.