My research currently focuses on chondrichthyans (sharks, rays and chimaeras) and more broadly on approaches for involving communities in research, management and conservation. My research falls broadly into three categories.

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Sawfishes

Sawfishes are endangered worldwide. In 2012 I founded Protect Africa's Sawfishes, a research and conservation project that worked with local communities to conduct research, conservation and education activities relating to sawfishes, guitarfishes and wedgefishes, in Africa and in other low income countries.

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Deep water sharks, rays and chimaeras

There is an incredible diversity of sharks, rays and chimaeras that live in the twilight zone (waters deeper than 200 metres) and deeper, but little is known about the population sizes, biology and behaviour of these animals. But we do know that deep water fisheries accidentally catch them, and are causing serious declines in some populations. My research aims to better understand the impact of fisheries on deep sea chondrichthyans, but also to bring the fascinating world of the deep ocean to life, and motivate more people to take an interest in this remote but precious part of our planet.  

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Community-led monitoring and management

With concerted efforts underway to designate 30% of our waters as marine protected areas (MPAs) by 2030, there is growing acknowledgement that communities are an essential part of this process. I am especially interested in how a more equitable approach to ocean monitoring and management can help us reach this target, benefitting not only marine life but also coastal communities through enhanced or sustained connections with the ocean, employment opportunities, and a voice in decision-making processes.