The status of sharks and rays in the Eastern Atlantic is poorly known, as is their connectivity with the Western Atlantic. Working with traditional fishers and institutional partners, we are conducting the first fisheries-dependent and independent assessments and long-term monitoring of sharks and rays in Cabo Verde, including critical nursery areas. This work gives us a platform to focus on the spatial ecology of large, threatened and highly migratory elasmobranchs, data deficient species and to conduct broad outreach and education to create alliances between these species and local communities.