Elasmobranchs have become lucrative targets with the depletion of traditional fish stocks and the surge in the shark fin trade. Although, in recent decades, much scientific evidence has challenged traditional misconceptions, stereotyped media portrayals persist, and they hinder conservation efforts. So, this special issue was created to highlight the complex behaviour and cognition of sharks and rays.

In the northern part of the Great Barrier Reef, hundreds of female green sea turtles are born for every male, as a result of climate change. A study has found that pollution may further worsen this gender bias, pushing the species closer to extinction. 

Published in the journal Frontiers in Marine Science, the findings describe how exposure to heavy metals like cadmium and antimony and certain organic contaminants can cause more female green sea turtles to be born.