Sharks and Rays–Wildlife Conservation Network

Sharks and rays are an essential part of a marine ecosystem.

MarAlliance works to conserve sharks and rays throughout the Americas, as well as in Micronesia—a small group of islands in the western Pacific Ocean—and Cabo Verde, Africa.

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Despite their intimidating reputations, sharks have far more to fear from us than we do from them.

Sharks and rays—who are in the same class of fish—are vulnerable to human induced threats like pollution, climate change, and overfishing. Global demand for their meat and fins is also contributing to severe declines in shark populations. Twenty four percent of sharks and rays worldwide are now endangered to extinction, due primarily to overfishing, and to a lesser extent due to pollution, climate change, and habitat degradation. After surviving for 400 million years on this planet, sharks and rays are now in serious trouble. Sharks and rays are an essential part of a marine ecosystem, their disappearance endangers the oceans.

MarAlliance, led by founder Dr. Rachel Graham, works to conserve sharks and rays throughout the Americas, as well as in Micronesia—a small group of islands in the western Pacific Ocean—and Cabo Verde, Africa. Scientific research to support fisheries management and conservation efforts as well as training local communities—from students to fishers—about marine wildlife are at the heart of MarAlliance’s work. MarAlliance also supports the creation and expansion of marine protected areas and legislation that enables sustainable fisheries to minimize threats and maximize protection of sharks and rays.

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We know far less about ocean wildlife than animals on land.

Rachel Graham tells TV network HITN about MarAlliance's efforts to learn more about the incredible big fish, like sharks and rays, that inhabit our oceans and their work to protect threatened marine life and create healthy seas.

The canaries in the coal mine for how our reefs are actually doing are the large marine wildlife, like sharks and rays.

Dr. Rachel Graham

Dr. Rachel Graham, Founder and Executive Director

Rachel has been fascinated by the ocean ever since her childhood in Tunisia. She’s worked with fishers to establish effective conservation goals for nearly 20 years. In 2011, she won the prestigious Whitley Fund for Nature Gold Award, and in 2014 she founded MarAlliance to promote impactful and inclusive grassroots science and conservation of marine wildlife. Rachel is probably best known for her successful conservation work with whale sharks and she is now focused on protecting what she calls “toothy” sharks, as well as rays and other threatened marine species.

A Unique Conservation Approach

Fostering Behavioral Change

Working primarily with local communities and creating corresponding educational programs, MarAlliance is changing how people think of sharks and rays. They tackle issues of sustainable fisheries, responsible seafood consumption, and critical habitat protection through the lens of sharks and rays. They also show people the value of large marine species, both as indicators of the health of the oceans and as magnets for eco-tourism. Because fishing often results in the unintentional killing of sharks and rays, MarAlliance seeks to reduce the use of unsustainable fishing gears such as nets and longlines and helps create alternative pathways for income besides fishing.

Science for Conservation

MarAlliance works with governments, academia, other NGOs, the private sector, and fishermen to increase the understanding of target species that is needed to support effective management and conservation efforts. They also work on building the next generation of monitors; training students and other partners in techniques for monitoring sharks, rays, and turtles, and assessing how marine protected areas impact the health of large marine species.

Building Collaboration

MarAlliance has worked to establish local and international networks of partners to replicate and advance research and outreach efforts, helping to strengthen and promote the conservation of marine wildlife. They now operate in nine countries throughout the world and have 24 partners they work closely with to achieve the greatest conservation success possible.

Fostering Behavioral Change

Working primarily with local communities and creating corresponding educational programs, MarAlliance is changing how people think of sharks and rays. They tackle issues of sustainable fisheries, responsible seafood consumption, and...

Science for Conservation

MarAlliance works with governments, academia, other NGOs, the private sector, and fishermen to increase the understanding of target species that is needed to support effective management and conservation efforts. They...

Building Collaboration

MarAlliance has worked to establish local and international networks of partners to replicate and advance research and outreach efforts, helping to strengthen and promote the conservation of marine wildlife. They...

Fostering Behavioral Change

Working primarily with local communities and creating corresponding educational programs, MarAlliance is changing how people think of sharks and rays. They tackle issues of sustainable fisheries, responsible seafood consumption, and critical habitat protection through the lens of sharks and rays. They also show people the value of large marine species, both as indicators of the health of the oceans and as magnets for eco-tourism. Because fishing often results in the unintentional killing of sharks and rays, MarAlliance seeks to reduce the use of unsustainable fishing gears such as nets and longlines and helps create alternative pathways for income besides fishing.

Science for Conservation

MarAlliance works with governments, academia, other NGOs, the private sector, and fishermen to increase the understanding of target species that is needed to support effective management and conservation efforts. They also work on building the next generation of monitors; training students and other partners in techniques for monitoring sharks, rays, and turtles, and assessing how marine protected areas impact the health of large marine species.

Building Collaboration

MarAlliance has worked to establish local and international networks of partners to replicate and advance research and outreach efforts, helping to strengthen and promote the conservation of marine wildlife. They now operate in nine countries throughout the world and have 24 partners they work closely with to achieve the greatest conservation success possible.

Impact by the Numbers

5

countries received technical advice for the development of National Plans of Actions for Sharks

1st

baselines for sharks and rays in Belize, Honduras, and selected sites for Mexico, Guatemala, Panama and Cabo Verde conducted by MarAlliance

Where Your Money Goes

$50 covers the cost of bait required for underwater video monitoring of sharks.

$100 funds the monitoring of large marine species by one fisher.

$250 supports running two school presentations with materials.

Watch Dr. Rachel Graham's Expo Talk on Sharks and Rays

MarAlliance—led by founder Dr. Rachel Graham—works to conserve sharks and rays throughout the Americas, as well as in Micronesia and Cabo Verde, Africa.

News & Stories

From Nets to Networks

Fishers are a primary source of, and thus a necessary solution to, the problem of unsustainable fishing. Moreover, they live... Learn More

"Elasmovangelizing"

As I checked into my flight recently at Panama’s International Airport, I was asked a slew of security questions, where... Learn More

Every Tiger Shark Counts: No.52's Transatlantic Journey

Somewhere in the Atlantic Ocean a powerful figure cuts her way through the choppy water. A tiger shark—six feet long... Learn More

Protecting Wildlife: The Untapped Solution to the Climate Crisis

We’ve all seen the headlines: Climate change. Ocean acidification. Biodiversity loss. Mass species extinction. We know we are living through... Learn More

Climate Crisis is a Wildlife Crisis

From the desertification of the African savannah to the melting of the Arctic glaciers, climate change is transforming the landscape... Learn More

Celebrating Women in Conservation

Women play an integral role in conservation, with countless pioneering female conservationists working globally to save endangered wildlife. Tomorrow, on... Learn More

Keeping Hammerheads out of Nets

The rumbling of the motorboat was gone. Rachel could no longer hear the whistle of the wind or the squawking... Learn More

A Snapshot of the Fall 2018 Wildlife Conservation Expo

October in San Francisco signals the return of our flagship Wildlife Conservation Expo, providing wildlife enthusiasts with the opportunity to... Learn More

Let Them Eat Lionfish

Unlike many islands in the turquoise waters of Panama’s indigenous Guna Yala region, Aglidub is truly off the beaten path.... Learn More

Seeking the Elusive and Reclusive Sawfish

It’s a gorgeous afternoon; a generous breeze moving off the sea is keeping the heat in check. Rachel Graham of... Learn More

A New Image for Sharks

Most of us have never encountered a shark in the ocean; we've only seen them on television or in the... Learn More

Get the Most Out of Shark Week

Shark Week is back! Sharks are often misunderstood, feared by most people and given a bad reputation by the media.... Learn More

Under the Seas with Dr. Rachel Graham

Dr. Rachel Graham had what she calls her “Aha Moment” when she met a 22-foot long whale shark underwater for... Learn More

Expanding the Network: WCN Steps Into Exciting New Territory

It's no exaggeration to say that the WCN network of conservationists, donors, and staff approach their commitment to protecting wildlife... Learn More

World Environment Day 2018

Today—on World Environment Day—we'd like to highlight some of the actions our Conservation Partners are taking to help create a... Learn More

Photography Credits: Joshua Asel, MarAlliance