Bonn, 31 August 2021 – Marine Research and Conservation Foundation (MARECO) signed the Memorandum of Understanding on the Conservation of Migratory Sharks (Sharks MOU) on 26 August 2021 as a Cooperating Partner.

We are pleased to welcome our latest partner MARECO, dedicated to the conservation of threatened marine megafauna and their habitats.

The UK based charity is supporting governments to enhance management and conservation strategies for sharks and rays, many of which are listed under CMS, through dedicated research effort. More specifically, MARECO is supporting the development and implementation of Concerted Actions for the whale shark, following its adoption at COP12 in 2017 in Manila, Philippines. For a highly migratory species like the whale shark, international cooperation is vital. MARECO is a strong advocate for the MOU by emphasizing its relevance and importance and is encouraging Range States to become Signatories to the agreement.

MARECO will work closely with shark and ray Range States, in particular in the Southeast Asian region, focusing on research, awareness raising and facilitating collaborative work to fill crucial knowledge gaps necessary for conservation action. They will actively support the conservation of, and research on CMS- and/ or Sharks MOU - listed species, including blue sharks, rhinobatids, mobulids and whale sharks, and ensure proper dissemination of scientific results, to maximise science-based decision making for species management and conservation.