Beyond Jaws: Exploring Shark Science and Conservation

Dr. Ruth Leeney is a passionate conservation scientist with a diverse background in scientific research, social science, and communications. A National Geographic Explorer, Ocean Conservation Fellow with the New England Aquarium, and an active member of the IUCN Shark Specialist Group and the Marine Social Sciences Network, Ruth has dedicated her career to understanding and protecting threatened marine vertebrates. With a PhD from the University College of Dublin, where she studied the critical habitats of the harbor porpoise, Ruth has worked extensively on sawfishes, marine mammals, and other vulnerable species. Currently, she leads the Namibia Sharks and Rays projects in the Namibian Nature Foundation, advocating for interdisciplinary approaches in conservation efforts.

Connect with us:

Website: https://bit.ly/37TMqeKInstagram: https://bit.ly/3eorwXZ

Beyond Jaws is supported by Save Our Seas Website: https://saveourseas.com/

Dave: Website: https://www.lostsharkguy.com/ Instagram: https://bit.ly/3q1J9Q5

Andrew: Website: https://www.speakupforblue.com/ Instagram: https://bit.ly/37g5WkG

In this episode, we have the privilege of sitting down with Dr. Rima Jabado, the founder of the ElasmoProject and deputy chair of the IUCN Species Survival Commission. As a leading authority in the field, Dr. Jabado has dedicated over two decades to global conservation efforts, bridging the gap between science and policy to protect endangered species.

Dr. Jabado's incredible journey began with her childhood love for the ocean, nurtured by summers spent on the beaches of Greece. Her path eventually led her to study political science, seeking to understand how policies shape change. But it was her encounters with marine life, from dried seahorses to the sight of a six-gill shark's head, that ignited her passion for marine conservation.

We explore how Dr. Jabado's unique background, spanning Lebanon, Greece, Canada, and Australia, contributed to her multilingual skills and global perspective. Her desire to explore the world and volunteer on various marine projects led her to James Cook University in Australia, where she discovered a whole new dimension of marine research and conservation.

However, it was a fortuitous visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) that transformed Dr. Jabado's trajectory. Drawn by family connections and the opportunity to contribute to coral monitoring and turtle nesting programs, she unexpectedly found herself deeply engaged in the burgeoning field of marine conservation in the UAE. Through her work, she uncovered startling facts about the country's involvement in the shark fin trade, leading her to pursue a groundbreaking PhD in environmental science.

Dr. Jabado's research and advocacy have been instrumental in influencing decision-makers to implement meaningful measures for the protection of sharks and rays. Her expertise has taken her to over 15 countries, where she has supervised vital projects and authored numerous scientific papers. We discuss the challenges she has faced, the impact of her work, and the ongoing battle to conserve these majestic species.

Join us as Dr. Rima Jabado shares her wealth of knowledge and experiences, shedding light on the global conservation efforts for sharks and rays. From policy-making to scientific research, this episode will captivate your imagination and leave you inspired to take action.

Key topics discussed in this episode:

• Dr. Jabado's childhood connection to the ocean and early encounters with marine life
• The influence of her multilingual background and international experiences on her work
• The transformative journey from political science to marine conservation
• The importance of bridging the gap between science and policy in conservation efforts
• Dr. Jabado's groundbreaking research on shark fin trade in the UAE and its global implications
• The challenges and triumphs of advocating for shark and ray conservation
• The impact of Dr. Jabado's work on decision-making and species protection
• The ongoing global efforts to conserve sharks and rays and the role of collaborations and education

Join us for this captivating episode as we delve into the world of shark and ray conservation with Dr. Rima Jabado, an extraordinary advocate fighting for the future of these remarkable creatures.

Connect with us:

Website: https://bit.ly/37TMqeKInstagram: https://bit.ly/3eorwXZ

Beyond Jaws is supported by Save Our Seas Website: https://saveourseas.com/

Dave: Website: https://www.lostsharkguy.com/ Instagram: https://bit.ly/3q1J9Q5

Andrew: Website: https://www.speakupforblue.com/ Instagram: https://bit.ly/37g5WkG

In this episode of the Beyond Jaws podcast, the host and co-host interview Dr. Andrea Marshall, the "Queen of the Mantas." Dr. Marshall shares her journey of becoming a marine biologist, her passion for the ocean, and her experiences with man rays in Mozambique. She also discusses the Marine Megafauna Foundation, which she founded with Dr. Simon Pierce, and her efforts to help the Mozambican community. Dr. Marshall's work has earned her numerous accolades, including being named a National Geographic Emergent Explorer and being inducted into the Women's Divers Hall of Fame.

Connect with us:

Website: https://bit.ly/37TMqeKInstagram: https://bit.ly/3eorwXZ

Beyond Jaws is supported by Save Our Seas Website: https://saveourseas.com/

Dave: Website: https://www.lostsharkguy.com/ Instagram: https://bit.ly/3q1J9Q5

Andrew: Website: https://www.speakupforblue.com/ Instagram: https://bit.ly/37g5WkG

Dr. Oscar Sosa joins Dr. David Ebert and Andrew Lewin to share his shark career story including why he chose to do graduate work in Japan and how he continues to be influenced by Japanese scientists and their culture. He also recounts the first time he met Dave and what his first impression of him was way back in the 80s.

Connect with us:

Website: https://bit.ly/37TMqeKInstagram: https://bit.ly/3eorwXZ

Beyond Jaws is supported by Save Our Seas Website: https://saveourseas.com/

Dave: Website: https://www.lostsharkguy.com/ Instagram: https://bit.ly/3q1J9Q5

Andrew: Website: https://www.speakupforblue.com/ Instagram: https://bit.ly/37g5WkG

Dr. Ximena Velez Zuazo joins Dr. David Ebert and Andrew Lewin on the podcast to discuss her career in conservation genetics of sharks and other iconic species such as marine mammals and sea turtles.

Ximena has studied a diverse array of species that has led her to a career where she has published about Sustainable Development Goals, predators, gene flow, etc.

Connect with us:

Website: https://bit.ly/37TMqeKInstagram: https://bit.ly/3eorwXZ

Beyond Jaws is supported by Save Our Seas Website: https://saveourseas.com/

Dave: Website: https://www.lostsharkguy.com/ Instagram: https://bit.ly/3q1J9Q5

Andrew: Website: https://www.speakupforblue.com/ Instagram: https://bit.ly/37g5WkG

Dr. Patricia Charvet joins Dr. David Ebert and Andrew Lewin on the podcast to discuss growing up in Brazil and studying saltwater and freshwater rays in her home country.

Patricia discusses her love for science and how she had a diverse interest in science and marine biology.

Connect with us:

Website: https://bit.ly/37TMqeKInstagram: https://bit.ly/3eorwXZ

Beyond Jaws is supported by Save Our Seas Website: https://saveourseas.com/

Dave: Website: https://www.lostsharkguy.com/ Instagram: https://bit.ly/3q1J9Q5

Andrew: Website: https://www.speakupforblue.com/ Instagram: https://bit.ly/37g5WkG

Dr. Francisico J. Concha (aka Pancho) joins Dr. David Ebert and Andrew Lewin on the podcast to discuss his work on sharks in his home country of Chile. Pancho shares stories of trailblazing shark science in Chile and building a shark science program that offers opportunities for graduate students to learn from him and work on their own shark research.

Tune in to hear how Pancho and his colleagues handled an earthquake while at work.

Connect with Pancho:

IG: https://www.instagram.com/chondrolab_uv/?next=%2F Twitter: https://twitter.com/chondrolab

www.chondrolab.cl

Dr. Cynthia Awruch joins Dr. David Ebert and Andrew Lewin on the podcast to talk about her career as a shark scientist. Originally from Argentina, Cynthia ended up in Tasmania, Australia (a couple of times) to study reproductive endocrinology, physiology, conservation, and sustainable management of marine wildlife and now studies ethics in research.

Cynthia discusses her career path, her performance background, and her love for studying ethics in marine science and conservation. She also discusses how her family history has shaped her passion for traveling and enjoying life to the fullest.

Connect with us:

Website: https://bit.ly/37TMqeKInstagram: https://bit.ly/3eorwXZ

Beyond Jaws is supported by Save Our Seas Website: https://saveourseas.com/

Dave: Website: https://www.lostsharkguy.com/ Instagram: https://bit.ly/3q1J9Q5

Andrew: Website: https://www.speakupforblue.com/ Instagram: https://bit.ly/37g5WkG

Dr. Colin Simpfendorfer joins Dr. David Ebert and Andrew Lewin on the podcast to talk about how he navigated and continues to navigate his career in shark science while moving countries with his shark science partner, Dr. Michelle Heupel. Colin talks about how he and Michelle would follow their passions in research while the other adapted, successfully.

Connect with us:

Website: https://bit.ly/37TMqeKInstagram: https://bit.ly/3eorwXZ

Beyond Jaws is supported by Save Our Seas Website: https://saveourseas.com/

Dave: Website: https://www.lostsharkguy.com/ Instagram: https://bit.ly/3q1J9Q5

Andrew: Website: https://www.speakupforblue.com/ Instagram: https://bit.ly/37g5WkG

Guy Stevens joins Dr, David Ebert and Andrew Lewin for this episode to discuss how he founded the Manta Trust in the Maldives and why he grew it to an international organization with collaborators and partners doing great work revealing more information on the ecology of Manta and Devel rays.

Connect with the Manta Trust: Website: www.mantatrust.org Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mantatrust/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/MantaTrust

Connect with us:

Website: https://bit.ly/37TMqeKInstagram: https://bit.ly/3eorwXZ

Beyond Jaws is supported by Save Our Seas Website: https://saveourseas.com/

Dave: Website: https://www.lostsharkguy.com/ Instagram: https://bit.ly/3q1J9Q5

Andrew: Website: https://www.speakupforblue.com/ Instagram: https://bit.ly/37g5WkG