CEFAS23-157 ITT for technical expertise to support the Sri Lanka shark and ray trade, under the Ocean Country Partnership Programme (OCPP)

It is estimated that over one-third of sharks, skates and rays (elasmobranchs) are threatened with extinction worldwide due to a combined effect of global fishing pressure, conservative life history characteristics, and high market price for the fins of some species. Shark fisheries tend to be diverse and unregulated small-scale fisheries, often characterised by illegal fishing, non-systematic data collection and high volumes of bycatch, which presents a challenging management scenario for shark fishing nations. The diversity of species landed makes accurate species identification challenging but vital for effective fisheries management and conservation.

In February 2023 Cefas supported species identification training through the UK Governments Ocean Country Partnership Programme (OCPP) to frontline fisheries staff in Sri Lanka and engaged with the fisheries directorate to discuss evidence priorities. Support with the revision of Sri Lanka's current National Plan of Action (NPOA) for elasmobranchs and the associated activities around this was identified as a priority. This includes the need to develop a full list of elasmobranch species being caught, landed, and traded in Sri Lanka followed by the development of a national ID guide. This resource would then be used as a training reference for existing and future staff within the fisheries departments, customs, and coastguards in the field to support robust data collection, identify and prosecute illegal activities and thus promote sustainable elasmobranch fisheries.

The overarching aims and objectives of the project are:

1. To review and update the National Plan of Action (NPOA) for Sri Lanka's elasmobranch populations in collaboration with the Fisheries department of Sri Lanka and Cefas and socialise the developed plan with stakeholders in Sri Lanka.
2. Use visual and DNA-based approaches to identify elasmobranchs sampled at markets across Sri Lanka to support the development of a national identification guide.
3. To provide technical support to two master's students working on DNA analysis of market samples and population assessment methods.
4. Facilitate and deliver workshops on the visual identification of CITES listed elasmobranchs to fisheries and trade management staff, using updated identification guides (post CITES Convention of the Parties in Nov 2022 (COP19)).