The Angola Elasmo Project: A Journey from Research to Shark and Ray Conservation
17 Jun 2025 - Ana Lúcia Furtado Soares, Ludwig Maximilians University of Munich, Germany | 15h30 | Hybrid Seminar
CASUAL SEMINAR IN BIODIVERSITY AND EVOLUTION
Angola’s coastal waters harbor a diverse elasmobranch fauna, sharks and rays, that remain among the least studied in the eastern Atlantic. Historically, the scarcity of baseline scientific data has hindered effective management and conservation, leaving many species vulnerable to overfishing, habitat loss, and unregulated fisheries. The Angola Elasmo Project was founded to fill this critical knowledge gap by establishing the first comprehensive, long-term research and conservation programme focused on Angola’s shark and ray populations. Since 2019, the AEP has systematically generated essential biological and ecological data through extensive fishery surveys, covering over 50,000 specimens. By combining rigorous scientific monitoring with socio-economic assessments involving local fishers, the project reveals the status, life histories, and spatial ecology of key species previously unknown in the region.
Beyond data collection, the AEP prioritizes community engagement, raising awareness in fishing communitiess and promoting co-management strategies essential for sustainable conservation in data-poor settings. This seminar will showcase how the Angola Elasmo Project bridges the gap between scientific knowledge and conservation action and aims to inspire students and early-career scientists by presenting practical strategies for translating research into impactful, real-world conservation outcomes.
Ana Lúcia Furtado Soares is a marine scientist, PhD candidate at the Ludwig-Maximillian University of Munich and founder of the Angola Elasmo Project, a pioneering initiative dedicated to the research and conservation of sharks and rays along Angola’s coast. With a background in marine sciences and extensive field experience in elasmobranch ecology, Lúcia has led efforts to document biodiversity, engage small-scale fishing communities, and raise awareness of the alarming decline of shark populations in Angola. Her work bridges scientific research with community-based conservation, aiming to influence fisheries policy and marine protection strategies. She is also a member of the IUCN Shark Specialist Group for Africa and collaborates internationally with Shark Project International, Sve Our Seas Foundation and other partners. Lúcia’s approach emphasizes inclusive conservation, capacity-building, and the critical role of local knowledge in driving ecological change.
[Host: Nuno Queiroz, Movement Ecology - MOVE]
Zoom Link: https://videoconf-colibri.zoom.us/j/94166628246
Zoom Link: https://videoconf-colibri.zoom.us/j/94166628246