Caribbean Sharks Education Program

The Caribbean Sharks Education Program vision is a cooperative international network inclusive of Mexico, the Caribbean and Venezuela, to integrate efforts across marine research, conservation and community artisinal fisheries. Launched from networks and proposals at the LACCCB 20018 workshop entitled “The Whale Shark as a flag for the scientific and educational integration of the Americas and Caribbean for conservation.”, our mission is to overcome the current limitations faced by the small group of active researchers and to engage broader communities in effective conservation efforts. We aim to listen to all stakeholders, interact with them, and provide the cross-training for communities to manage emergencies and generate their own solutions based on their local realities. The program expanded on previous efforts to establish permanent training programs for technicians in universities, research institutes, divers, water athletes, working groups, and NGOs in the region. This training focuses on marine ecology, fisheries ecology, and shark conservation.

Efforts have been temporarily stalled due to the effects of the ongoing Venezuelan economic collapse on regional logistics and as well as on several key investigators, research programs and facilities proposed to implement collaboration. In the meantime, we are building the networks that form the basis for re-invigorating this initiative and working with others who have made progress with marine research and conservation in the region.