Bay of Bengal Shark Program
A citizen science based model for creating a baseline for transboundary conservation of sharkCommunities and businesses for better knowledge and protection of sharks
Launched October 2015, Bengal Shark is designed and hosted by Save Our Sea to create, gather and share knowledge on shark in the Bay of Bengal countries and to facilitate private sector-led conservation.
Priorities
Creating and gathering scientific knowledge on local populations of sharks and their habitats; Working with artisanal fishers and deep sea fishing industries to reduce bycatch and protect threatened shark species; Mainstreaming elasmobranch biodiversity conservation into society and government; Bringing sustainability to international trade of Elasmobranch species; Training the students, young professionals, conservationists in elasmobranch conservation science and mainstreaming.
National Programs
National platforms and initiatives will be based on the specific scenario, challenges, and priorities assessed by related national and local organizations. For instance, in Bangladesh, there is no credible taxonomic knowledge base, therefore senior experts, early career professionals, local fishing cooperatives, trade bodies of deep-sea fishers are collaborating with conservationists in this voluntary program to create a baseline.
Collaborate
Bengal Shark
Are you a fisher, businessman, community leader, government official, researcher, journalist or student from Bangladesh, Myanmar, India, Sri Lanka or Thailand? To share your ideas and works, to know more about the initiative, and to contribute in the program, please write to us.
News and Blogs
Apply to join Bengal Shark Program
Bay of Bengal Shark Program is accepting applications to recruit volunteers as Field Assistant
What works in shark conservation in Raja Ampat MPA Network
Shark Conservation in Indonesia: A Brief Perspective on Local Shark Protection in Raja Ampat Marine Protected Area Network Network, West Papua
Science-Policy interface for shark conservation in Bangladesh: a far-off reality?
Sharks and rays are apparently facing the threat of overfishing in Bangladesh, what can possibly be done about it?
Shark victory at CITES again, credit also goes to Bangladesh
Global trade of Silky shark, three species of Thresher shark, and nine species of Devil ray will be strictly controlled.
What #CITES4Sharks offers to the Bay of Bengal?
To put it simply, CITES CoP 17 offers opportunity for more protection to at least four species of sharks and rays in the Bay of Bengal.