Apr 14, 2026 |
A new scientific study conducted between Inhambane and Benguerra, Bazaruto, reveals that reef structure and fish communities directly influence the presence of sharks and rays.
This new research, published in Nature group’s journal Scientific Reports, provides robust evidence of the decisive role of coral reefs in the distribution of sharks and rays along the southern coast of Mozambique, reinforcing the need for an integrated approach to marine conservation.
The study, led by Calum J.G. Murie of the University of Chester (UC) and co-authored by Mario Lebrato of the Bazaruto Center for Scientific Studies (BCSS), Livia Gavard of Underwater Africa, Inhambane, and Simon P. Oliver (UC), analysed four reefs in the region over the course of a year, combining underwater video monitoring, coral cover assessment and fish community surveys. The research also benefited from contributions from the Bazaruto Centre for Scientific Studies and Underwater Africa.
The results demonstrate that the presence of these marine predators, known as elasmobranchs, is not random, but is directly associated with the ecological characteristics of the reefs. In particular, reefs with different coral structures and levels of complexity support distinct communities of sharks and rays.
The research also highlights a clear relationship between fish communities and the presence of predators. Where the composition of fish species varies, so too do the patterns of shark and ray occurrence, confirming the link between different levels of the food chain.
Another key finding of this research relates to habitat complexity. More structured and diverse reefs tend to offer better conditions for feeding, shelter and mobility of species, reinforcing their ecological function. In contrast, degraded reefs lose not only biodiversity but also the capacity to sustain top-level species.
The study’s authors conclude that the presence of sharks and rays should be understood as a reflection of the overall state of the ecosystem, rather than as an isolated phenomenon. Thus, their conservation depends directly on the simultaneous protection of corals and fish communities.
The study comes at a particularly critical time for the Western Indian Ocean, one of the regions most vulnerable to climate change. Rising sea temperatures, episodes of coral bleaching and changes in oceanographic patterns are placing increasing pressure on these ecosystems.
In this context, long-term data plays a central role. The research highlights the importance of platforms such as the BCSS Ocean Observatory in the Bazaruto Archipelago, which integrates continuous monitoring of corals, fish and environmental variables, enabling more comprehensive and sustained ecological analyses.
This type of scientific infrastructure enables the identification of changes in ecosystems, an understanding of predator-prey dynamics, and supports decisions regarding the management and planning of marine spaces, at a time when the resilience of the oceans increasingly depends on sound scientific knowledge.
For Mozambique, the implications are clear, as reef conservation must be approached from a perspective of ecological connectivity, where habitat protection is an essential condition for species preservation. At the same time, the study reinforces the need for data-driven policies and continued investment in marine scientific research.
The publication forms part of a growing effort in scientific research in the Western Indian Ocean region, which seeks to deepen understanding of ecological relationships in reefs and support more effective conservation strategies in a context of rapid environmental change.
Photos: BCSS
