Within the framework of marine biodiversity conservation strategies, certain taxonomic groups face heightened vulnerability due to their unique life histories and ecological roles. This vulnerability is exemplified by elasmobranchs (sharks and rays), with over a third of their species considered threatened, primarily due to overfishing, habitat degradation, and climate change. Despite concerted conservation efforts, these species remain targets of commercial interest and are frequently caught by national fishing fleets. The overarching objective of CONECTEE is to assess and reinforce the conservation efforts directed towards the diverse coastal elasmobranch populations along the Spanish Atlantic coast, leveraging scientific evidence. Central to this endeavor is the acquisition of comprehensive knowledge concerning the ecological connectivity of coastal elasmobranchs, essential for crafting proposals for the establishment of new protected areas or the enhancement and adaptation of existing ones to address future challenges, including those posed by climate change (priority research line 5). At the species level, ecological connectivity encompasses two distinct components: population and genetic connectivity.

To address these facets, the project will employ innovative methodologies such as underwater acoustic telemetry for population connectivity assessment and genomic techniques for genetic connectivity analysis, representing significant advancements in ecosystem understanding and monitoring within National Parks’ open waters (priority research line 7).