Pating Patrol is a program that aims to build the capacity of fisherfolk, public market vendors, and tour operators to better identify protected species and increase reporting of sightings and incidental catches.

The input from the target audience will contribute to data needed to improve regulation (e.g., gear modification, reporting templates). The outcome is a stronger “soft enforcement” approach (i.e, encouraging compliance through education, prevention, and community relations), which is expected to lessen seizures or arrests from illegal shark trade, thus minimizing illegal shark trade in the long term.

Trainings are held near Important Shark and Ray Areas (ISRAs), expert-identified habitats around the world that are important for one or more species of sharks, rays, or chimaeras.