Dr. Aaron Savio Lobo, Head of the Marine programme at WCS-India participated in the WCS Global Shark Conservation Meet held in Belize between 26 February – 1 March 2024. He presented the overall strategy of the marine programme in India and provided an update on the programme´s shark and ray work in India.
Approximately 50 participants attended the meeting, including WCS marine representatives, global marine directors, partner NGOs, and the IUCN SCC Shark Specialist Group Chair. The meeting focussed on strengthening partnerships and exploring the various tools to enhance capacities for the global conservation of sharks and rays, which aligns with WCS´s global shark conservation strategy.
The meeting also included a visit to Glovers Reef, a partially submerged atoll located off the southern coast of Belize, where WCS has a research station and has sustained efforts towards the conservation of sharks and rays and the country’s wider ocean health. This visit also included government officials from Belize who were exposed to some of the global marine conservation efforts WCS has been involved with.