Ecology and conservation of sharks in a nursery area in the São Paulo state coast, Brazil

Rafael Cabrera Namora

Sharks are an important component of the marine coastal fauna in the southeastern of Brazil. In this region several species have been exploited or caught as by-catch without any regulatory measures. Identification and conservation of essential fish habitats are important elements of providing adequate management and conservation for shark populations. At least five shark species are utilizing the Brazilian southeastern coast as nursery ground, making this area crucial for the conservation of these species. This project intends to be the precursor in direct effort for conservation of shark nurseries in Brazil, by producing knowledge about ecology and fishery aspects that could be used in the management for sharks as well as subsidies for the creation of news marine protected areas.