The socio-ecological importance of elasmobranchs to coastal communities in a changing climate

Recreational, charter boat and commercial fishers (herein referred to as "fishers") have shaped the fabric of coastal life in Wales, with many still reliant on elasmobranchs to support livelihoods. However, the absence of robust data on elasmobranch state and distributions, specifically associations with habitats and the physical environment, raises challenges when assessing elasmobranch health, ecological function, and social value - all of which are essential for sustainable management of natural resources.

This project will address these critical data gaps by strengthening and building links between fishers, coastal communities, researchers, and policymakers. This project spans the three core SMMR themes. Firstly, we will work closely with fishers and relevant actors to understand the social and cultural values associated with elasmobranchs for Welsh coastal communities.

Through place-based collaborative working, during this project we will: a) gather records and contextual information on elasmobranchs; b) investigate the shifting social values and relationships between communities and elasmobranchs; and c) ensure that fishers' voices are heard in project design and decision-making processes.

Importantly, we will also understand how elasmobranch distributions may shift under different future climate scenarios, with Welsh waters projected to warm by up to 4 C this century1. We will then explore how such shifts in distribution could impact the social and cultural values associated with elasmobranchs and co-develop recommendations for future fisheries management and policy.

We will also build and develop new tools to inform policy and fisheries, bringing together ecological, social and economic approaches. The distribution, abundance, and population-structure of marine fish in Welsh waters is a NRW "Marine and Coastal High Priority Evidence Need". Distribution data of elasmobranchs and how they use Annex-1 protected habitat features (sandbanks, reefs, bays) will inform sustainable marine management (e.g., Wales National Marine Plan and Wellbeing of Future Generations (Wales)), including future Regulation 37 Advice.