en Stock assessment Stock assessment پژوهشي Orginal research papers <span lang="TR" style="font-size:11.0pt"><span calibri="" style="font-family:"><span style="color:black">Shark and ray populations are increasingly threatened, highlighting the need for effective management and conservation. This study aimed to identify hotspot areas for these species in the waters of Kuala Dungun, Malaysia. Monthly onboard observations were carried out on trawl, longline, and fish trap vessels from June 2023 to May 2024. Hotspot analysis was then performed using the Getis-Ord Gi* statistic in QGIS </span></span></span><span lang="TR" style="font-size:11.0pt"><span calibri="" style="font-family:"><span style="color:black">platform. Significant hotspots for <i>Carcharhinus sorrah, Chiloscyllium punctatum, C. hasseltii, Rhynchobatus australiae</i>, and <i>Maculabatis</i> spp. were primarily identified in coastal regions, as well as in proximity to Fish Aggregating Devices (FADs) and artificial reefs. The association between hotspots and FADs/artificial reefs suggests these structures may enhance abundance, benefiting both conservation and fisheries productivity. Bamboo shark egg cases were also reported on traps located near FADs. The findings emphasize the importance of habitat protection and the implementation of marine spatial planning to support sustainable management practices.</span></span></span> Fisheries Management, Fish Population Dynamics, Hotspot area, Sharks, Rays, Marine Spatial Planning 549 569 http://jifro.ir/browse.php?a_code=A-10-4930-3&slc_lang=en&sid=1 A.S.A. Ahmad Sharikin shaqiq99@gmail.com 100319475328460058938 100319475328460058938 No Faculty of Fisheries and Aquaculture Sciences, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, 21030 Kuala Nerus, Terengganu, Malaysia A. Mohamad abdullahm@umt.edu.my 100319475328460058939 100319475328460058939 No Faculty of Fisheries and Aquaculture Sciences, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, 21030 Kuala Nerus, Terengganu, Malaysia M. Hanif Fadzli hanif9611@gmail.com 100319475328460058940 100319475328460058940 No Faculty of Fisheries and Aquaculture Sciences, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, 21030 Kuala Nerus, Terengganu, Malaysia S. Adam serena.adam@wwf.org.my 100319475328460058941 100319475328460058941 No WWF-Malaysia, 1 Jalan PJS 5/28A, Petaling Jaya Commercial Centre (PJCC), 46150 Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia R. Mat Piah rumeaida@umt.edu.my 100319475328460058942 100319475328460058942 Yes Faculty of Fisheries and Aquaculture Sciences, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, 21030 Kuala Nerus, Terengganu, Malaysia