Sharks International 2022 convened 600 scientists, advocates, and educators from 69 countries online and in person to discuss the conservation status, research, management, and protection of sharks and rays.
Key themes of concern and hope permeated discussions, highlighting the urgent need for global unity, transparency, and cooperation. Dr. Michelle Heupel emphasized the importance of understanding shark movements and supporting researchers and conservationists in her keynote address.
Sharks International serves as a quadrennial gathering to unite individuals across disciplines and countries to share knowledge and chart a course for the future of shark and ray conservation. Previous conferences were held in Australia (2010), South Africa (2014), and Brazil (2018), with Sri Lanka set to host the next conference in 2026.
The 2022 forum employed a hybrid model, blending a five-day online event with a three-day in-person event in Valencia, Spain. Presenters addressed diverse topics such as shark movement ecology, technological advancements, fisheries management, and human dimensions of fisheries.
The conference featured various formats, including talks, poster sessions, networking opportunities, and public engagement events like Sharks in the Garden and Shark Night. Workshops also enabled discussions on policy issues such as CITES COP19, enhancing engagement beyond the conference.
The Sharks International community remains active between conferences, fostering ongoing collaboration and engagement leading up to the next gathering in Sri Lanka. Despite challenges posed by COVID-19 and global economic turmoil, the conference demonstrated the value of bringing together diverse stakeholders to drive progress in shark and ray conservation.
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