Dedman, Simon, Moxley, Jerry, Papastamatiou, Yannis P., Braccini, Matias, Caselle, Jennifer E., Chapman, Demian D., Cinner, Joshua Eli, Dillon, Erin M., Dulvy, Nicholas K., Dunn, Ruth Elizabeth, Espinoza, Mario, Harborne, Alastair R., Harvey, Euan S., Heupel, Michelle R., Huveneers, Charlie, Graham, Nicholas A.J., Ketchum, James T., Klinard, Natalie V., Kock, Alison A., Lowe, Christopher G., MacNeil, M. Aaron, Madin, Elizabeth M.P., Mccauley, Douglas J., Meekan, Mark G., Meier, Amelia C., Simpfendorfer, Colin A., Tinker, M. Tim, Winton, Megan, Wirsing, Aaron J., and Heithaus, Michael R. (2024) Ecological roles and importance of sharks in the Anthropocene Ocean. Science, 385 (6708).

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Abstract

In ecosystems, sharks can be predators, competitors, facilitators, nutrient transporters, and food. However, overfishing and other threats have greatly reduced shark populations, altering their roles and effects on ecosystems. We review these changes and implications for ecosystem function and management. Macropredatory sharks are often disproportionately affected by humans but can influence prey and coastal ecosystems, including facilitating carbon sequestration. Like terrestrial predators, sharks may be crucial to ecosystem functioning under climate change. However, large ecosystem effects of sharks are not ubiquitous. Increasing human uses of oceans are changing shark roles, necessitating management consideration. Rebuilding key populations and incorporating shark ecological roles, including less obvious ones, into management efforts are critical for retaining sharks’ functional value. Coupled social-ecological frameworks can facilitate these efforts.

Item ID:	85738
Item Type:	Article (Research - C1)
ISSN:	1095-9203
Copyright Information:	Copyright © 2024 the authors, some rights reserved; exclusive licensee American Association for the Advancement of Science.
Date Deposited:	05 Jun 2025 02:35
FoR Codes:	31 BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES > 3103 Ecology > 310305 Marine and estuarine ecology (incl. marine ichthyology) @ 100%
SEO Codes:	18 ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT > 1802 Coastal and estuarine systems and management > 180201 Assessment and management of coastal and estuarine ecosystems @ 100%
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