[1] Focusing primarily on threatened wildlife, mainly endangered elasmobranchs and their habitats, the Save Our Seas Foundation supports research, conservation and education projects worldwide.

[14] Most sharks and ray species are highly vulnerable to overfishing, as they grow slowly, mature late and live for a long time.

D’Arros Island is separated from St Joseph Atoll by a channel one kilometre (0.6 mile) wide and 70 metres (230 feet) deep.

The marine environment surrounding D’Arros Island and St Joseph Atoll has a high diversity of habitats and species, providing a suitable ocean observatory for scientific studies.

These diverse projects have focused mostly on threatened species such as sharks, turtles, seabirds, fish and corals, but have also included habitat assessments, feasibility surveys and oceanography.

[41] It provides funding and guidance for their projects, facilitates international cooperation among researchers and maintains an active communication link to forge a global conservation plan of action.