Guardians of The Deep: Namibia’s sharks and rays
Sharks, rays, skates and chimaeras are unlike most fish. They have skeletons made of cartilage rather than bone, and inhabit oceans worldwide, as well as in some estuaries and even in freshwater environments. Namibia is home to 87 of these species: 52 sharks, 27 skates and rays, and eight chimaeras. Crucially, 29 are listed as […] The post Guardians of The Deep: Namibia’s sharks and rays appeared first on The Namibian .
Sharks, rays, skates and chimaeras are unlike most fish. They have skeletons made of cartilage rather than bone, and inhabit oceans worldwide, as well as in some estuaries and even in freshwater environments.
Namibia is home to 87 of these species: 52 sharks, 27 skates and rays, and eight chimaeras.
Crucially, 29 are listed as threatened on the IUCN Red List, meaning one-third of all known species in Namibian waters are at risk.
A major concern is that some could be lost before they are fully understood. Despite their importance to marine ecosystems, research on sharks, rays, skates and chimaeras in Namibia remains limited.
Some species, such as the Great White shark, are top predators, while others are both predators and prey. Each plays a role in maintaining ecosystem balance.
If a species disappears, ocean health can suffer and potentially reduce fish stocks, weakening the ocean’s ability to regulate climate change.
