Sharks & Rays

Elasmobranchs are among the most vulnerable animals on the planet, with several species having faced population declines by up to 90% as a direct result of unplanned fishing, unintentional capture and other human-driven threats. We seek to halt this staggering decline by addressing critical gaps in baseline knowledge to implement effective on-ground action involving community outreach, capacity development and policy change towards conserving sharks and rays in Indian waters.

Our approach includes understanding elasmobranch fishery socioeconomics through surveys and studying fishing efforts and behaviour via questionnaires. This information will contribute to the landing surveys and provide a bigger picture of ground realities, helping us implement on-ground strategies for engagement more effectively towards elasmobranch conservation.

We are also involved in spatial conservation strategies for marine areas through research, strengthening local and regional capacity, and increasing awareness of MPAs (Marine Protected Areas) and OECMs (Other Effective area-based Conservation Measures) by working on policy and engagement with important stakeholders to achieve the same.


 

Team

Alissa Barnes

Alissa holds a Master's degree in Wildlife Biology and has been working to understand elasmobranch fisheries since 2015. A lot of her initial work focussed on gathering baseline information about the fishery across multiple states along the west coast and understanding the drivers behind the fisheries. 


 

Avik Banerjee

After pursuing a Master's degree in Wildlife Biology and Conservation from NCBS - WCS-India, Avik focused his career working on different marine species like dolphins, octopuses and turtles. Currently, he is working on understanding elasmobranch fisheries so that we can work with stakeholders to address this issue of bycatch.


 

Eswar Narayana

Eswar obtained a Master’s degree in Microbiology and a Doctoral Degree from Acharya Nagarjuna University in Environmental Sciences in 2020. Apart from data collection on sharks and rays, he also worked on creating and sustaining alliances with relevant stakeholders such as local communities, NGOs, State and Central Government agencies, and other relevant institutions.  
 


 

Lavina

Lavina has done her Master's in Marine Science. She is responsible for conducting fieldwork at Ratnagiri to strengthen the management of elasmobranchs by collecting data, analysing and providing inputs towards the implementation of project activities, and developing and sustaining alliances with relevant stakeholders.


 

Sharang P.

Sharang holds a Master’s degree in Ecology and Environmental Science from Pondicherry University. He has worked on various marine conservation and fisheries subjects across India, including socio-economic aspects of ghost gear mitigation, elasmobranchs fishery and  fisheries economics. Currently, he is assessing the biological, fisheries and conservation aspects of elasmobranchs in Kerala.  

 

Credits: Photo - Joydeep Sarkar, Avik Banerjee, Lavina

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