I am currently the Deputy Chair of the IUCN Species Survival Commission (SSC) and Chair of the IUCN SSC Shark Specialist Group. As a scientist and conservationist, I have spent over 20 years developing and working on conservation initiatives globally. I have extensive experience as a field researcher, director for non-profit organizations, government official, and project manager. My work has primarily centered around bridging the gap between science and policy to ensure issues such as overexploitation, bycatch, threatened species conservation, and illegal trade are tackled. My primary focus and passion has been investigating shark and ray fisheries and trade in understudied regions of the world. I try to combine field work with outreach and advocacy to mobilize and provide policy solutions at the government and community levels. I have led or supervised projects in over 15 countries and my research has been instrumental in influencing decision makers to implement meaningful measures for the protection of species across a range of fisheries.
I am a member of the IUCN Marine Conservation Committee (since 2018), serve as the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS) Appointed Scientific Councilor for Fish (since 2020), and sits on the Advisory Committee for the CMS Sharks Memorandum of Understanding as the representative of the Asia region (since 2017). I am also the founder of the Elasmo Project, a non-profit initiative that encourages and supports work in data-poor areas focused on investigating shark and ray fisheries and trade. I have authored or co-authored over 100 scientific, technical, and popular publications and have received various grants and awards in support and recognition of my work on sharks and rays. In 2019, I received a Pew Fellowship in Marine Conservation.
I am a member of the IUCN Marine Conservation Committee (since 2018), serve as the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS) Appointed Scientific Councilor for Fish (since 2020), and sits on the Advisory Committee for the CMS Sharks Memorandum of Understanding as the representative of the Asia region (since 2017). I am also the founder of the Elasmo Project, a non-profit initiative that encourages and supports work in data-poor areas focused on investigating shark and ray fisheries and trade. I have authored or co-authored over 100 scientific, technical, and popular publications and have received various grants and awards in support and recognition of my work on sharks and rays. In 2019, I received a Pew Fellowship in Marine Conservation.
FIN IDENTIFICATIONSince 2013, I have trained customs officials in over 25 countries on how to identify sharks and shark-like rays (sawfishes, wedgefishes, guitarfishes) from their fins. Trainings are focused on species listed on the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna (CITES) to support with the implementation of regulations under this treaty. |
SOCIALS
You can also follow me here:
Copyright © 2025 | Rima Jabado | All rights reserved