The Benguela Current Ecosystem, which runs along the west coast of South Africa, the entire Namibian coastline and into southern Angola, is one of the world's most productive marine ecosystems and supports a huge array of marine life, including seabirds, cetaceans (whales and dolphins), Cape fur seals and chondrichthyans (sharks, skates, rays and chimaeras). However, almost no research has focused on chondrichthyans in Namibia to date, meaning we know remarkably little about which species are found in Namibian waters, where their key habitats are, the roles they play in food webs and the threats they face. This publication is the first ever identification guide focusing on chondrichthyans in Namibian waters. Previously published guides which included chondrichthyans have covered all marine 'resources' in Namibian waters (Bianchi et al. 1999), or have covered 'southern Africa' (e.g. Compagno et al. 1989), a large region encompassing two significantly different current systems and assemblages of species. Based on an up-to-date species list, this guide includes only species that have been confirmed (from at least one reliable record) to occur in Namibian waters. This guide is intended for a wide readership, including any member of the public interested in learning more about Namibia's sharks, skates, rays and chimaeras. However, one of the primary drivers for producing this guide was to support researchers and students of marine life in Namibia, in research activities focusing on chondrichthyans. The purpose of this guide is therefore twofold. For the general public, we hope that this guide will serve to increase their fascination in sharks and their relatives, and deepen understanding amongst Namibians of the incredible diversity of life found just beyond the coastline. For Namibia's scientific community, including researchers, fisheries observers and students of biology and fisheries science, this guide will be an invaluable reference for identifying animals caught as bycatch (incidental catch of non-target species) in fishing gears and chondrichthyan specimens captured or recorded during scientific surveys. We hope that this resource will support students, researchers and managers to conduct high-quality research on chondrichthyans in Namibian waters, and that the resulting information contributes to management and conservation actions that ensure a healthy, productive ocean for the benefit of all Namibians.
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Sharks_Skates_Rays and Chimaeras of Namibia.pdf | 4.61 MB |