Alopias pelagicus
Current research
Your support powers real conservation. Together with our collaborators, partners, and supporters, we run field-led research that shines a light on the challenges facing marine megafauna - and the solutions that work. ​
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By investing in this work, you help us:
- Generate evidence on behavior, movements and threats.
- Turn science into action to protect species and restore biodiversity.
- Share knowledge that raises awareness and drives better policy.​
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We're deeply grateful to every partner, funder, institution, NGO, community group, and volunteer who makes this possible. Thank you - progress at sea is a team effort, and we couldn't do it without you.
Blue sharks
(Prionace glauca)
Location: Global
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​On-going research:​
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In-water tagging (satellite/camera tags);
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Stereo-video;
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Pelagic BRUVs;
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Testing by-catch mitigation;
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Blue shark recreational angling;
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Global genetics;
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​In-situ DNA sequencing;
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Environmental drivers of species distribution;
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Code of Conduct development with swim-with operators;
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Identifying illegal trade through genetics.
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Milestones:
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Blue shark swim with Code of Conduct;
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Concerted Action approved and now adopted by CMS;
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MISSION BLUE (Mission Erde x MARECO).
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Find out more about blue shark Code of Conduct development below...
Whale sharks
(Rhincodon typus)
Location: Global
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On-going research:​
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Advancing understanding of whale shark occurrence and site fidelity;
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Satellite telemetry;
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Citizen science;
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Threat from microplastics and pollution in critical feeding sites;
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Understanding persistent illegal take and mitigation strategies;
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Shedding light on the risk ship strike poses to whale shark population recovery;
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Video and accelerometer tags to unravel their enigmatic nature​​.
Thresher shark
(Alopias pelagicus)
Location: Indian Ocean
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On-going research:
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Non-invasive species monitoring using stereo-photogrammetry for establishing population baselines in the Indian Ocean;
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Shark-cleaner fish interactions​​.
Tiger shark
(Galeocerdo cuvier)
Location: Indian Ocean
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On-going research:
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Non-invasive species monitoring using stereo-photogrammetry for establishing population baselines in the Indian Ocean;
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AI-powered individual identification;
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Photo-ID networks for population demographics and threat assessment;
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Telemetry to identify critical habitats and behaviours;
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Environmental modelling to identify drivers of abundance and seasonal movements​.
Eagle rays
(Aetobatus narinari, A. ocellatus, A. laticeps)
Location: Global
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On-going research:
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Supporting an MRes student in advancing photo-ID and data automation to enhance research with spotted eagle rays;
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Global ID network, powered by AI;
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Genetics and trade​.
Tope shark
(Galeorhinus galeus)
Countries: Isle of Man
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On-going research:
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Social science to harness LEK from recreational anglers;
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Benthic and pelagic BRUVs;
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Acoustic telemetry (in-development).
Sharks & Rays
(Various)
Location: Global
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On-going research:
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BRUVs for identifying critical habitats and areas of importance;
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Developing genetic tools to aid loopholes in shark & ray trade;
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Telemetry for identifying migratory routes, behaviour and habitats;
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Citizen science across multiple species to support research through engagement of the general public.
Basking Shark
(Cetorhinus maximus)
Countries: Irish Sea
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On-going research:
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Sightings data analysis;
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Citizen science;
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Field research (in-development).
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Milestones:​
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Concerted Action proposed.
Student Support
(BSc, MSc/MRes, PhD)
Location: Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Maldives, Costa Rica, UK, Germany, Qatar
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What we do:
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Mentoring, networking, bursaries, study design and implementation;
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Specifically targeting students working or pursuing a career in marine megafauna research and conservation;
Some of our current student projects include:
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RUVs to identify turtle habitat use and cleaning stations in Lombok;
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Tri-axial accelerometers to investigate the impacts of tourism on endangered whale sharks in North Sulawesi;
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BRUVs to understand the impacts of whale shark provisioning on coral reef fish communities;
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Socioeconomic evaluation of blue shark tourism in the UK;
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Risk of microplastic exposure in whale shark feeding grounds in the Philippines;
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Diversity of sharks and rays in fisheries in the Arabian Gulf;
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Whale shark distribution and seasonality in Malaysian waters;
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Heavy metal and pollution in whale shark feeding grounds in the Maldives;
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Blue shark movements in the NE Atlantic;
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Spotted eagle ray behaviour and population demographics in Costa Rica's pacific coast;
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Blue shark genomics to inform fisheries management.
