Building Capacity for the Conservation of Sharks and Rays in the Caribbean
The Caribbean Shark Coalition (CSC) was founded in 2020
about
Mission
The Caribbean Shark Coalition (CSC) was founded in 2020 in response to international calls for enhanced, collaborative conservation efforts for sharks and rays in the Greater Caribbean region.
The CSC is a collection of member experts from NGOs, local communities, intergovernmental organizations and governments, academia, and policy institutes working together to advance the study and conservation of sharks and rays found in the waters of the Greater Caribbean.
We have three primary goals:
- To foster collaboration in shark and ray research, policy, and capacity building for conservation among stakeholders in the region, and to provide opportunities for knowledge transfer and data synthesis
- To safeguard the long-term health of shark and ray populations in the region, and to promote the protection of critical habitat
- To promote a sustainable future for these species as well as human livelihoods who depend on them
Working with local scientists, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), intergovernmental organizations and governments, we target capacity building for filling critical knowledge gaps through science, as well as the advancement of specific conservation actions.
The CSC will seek to obtain funding for collaborative work and to issue grants to CSC-member projects. The CSC will represent the interests and goals of members and, more broadly, sharks and ray species of the Caribbean at the UN (UNEP-CEP and the Regional Activity Center for the SPAW Protocols of the Cartagena Convention [the only binding treaty for the conservation of the Caribbean Sea]), IUCN-Caribbean, CITES, CMS, CBD, and other international gatherings.
Our Vision
- The Caribbean plays a key role in advancing the global target of 30% of protected ocean by 2030, by focusing on advancing marine protected areas for sharks and rays
- Shark and ray conservation is effectively addressed in ongoing and future area conservation and species management plans for countries and territories in the Greater Caribbean region
- Greater collaboration and capacity building is fostered among and between actors and stakeholders in the Greater Caribbean region
OUR work
Our current priorities are ensuring that:
- Baseline data on shark and ray species exist for all countries and territories in the region
- Existing data are collated, shared, and analyzed
- Regional marine protected area coverage for sharks and rays expands through 2030
- Members interested in the conducting work are provided adequate training to do so
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New projects are provided with seed funding to fill identified knowledge gaps in the region
Members will be categorized into chapters according to the following regions:
- Lucayan Archipelago / Subtropical Atlantic (Bahamas, Turks and Caicos, and Bermuda)
- Greater Antilles
- Lesser Antilles
- Central America
- South America / Guianas
All participatory members are expected to:
- Participate in virtual and in-person CSC meetings
- Identify potential regional initiatives for increased species specific and area conservation measures
- Provide mentorship, training, or advice for other members regarding proposed or future research and species-habitat management plans
- Work towards making data and information open-access
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Founding Partners
MEMBERS
founding team
Tadzio Bervoets
Supported by island park management authorities, DCNA Board members and secretariat, Tadzio leads efforts to build ties not only within the Dutch Caribbean, but regionally and internationally, developing strong working relationships with the Dutch Ministries and top tier conservation organizations such as the International Union for the Conservation of Nature, Bird Conservation Netherlands and the World Wildlife Fund. He is a Fellow of the Explorer’s Club and sits on the Science and Policy Advisory Board of Beneath the Waves. He previously worked as the manager of the St. Maarten Nature Foundation for 10 years, and holds Bachelor degrees in International Relations and Geo Management from the University of South Florida and the University of Miami, and a Master’s degree from the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam in environmental resource management with a specialty in coral reef ecosystems.
Austin Gallagher, PhD
maintaining collaborative shark conservation research projects with local authorities and governments in numerous 6 Caribbean nations and U.K. Overseas Territories. Gallagher has published extensively on Caribbean shark behavior, reef ecology and biodiversity, and marine protected areas, and has worked with decision-makers to inform national and regional management. He is a National Geographic Explorer, Fulbright Scholar, and Honorary Adjunct Professor at The University of Exeter (UK) and Adjunct Professor at Northeastern University (USA). He is a Fellow of the Explorer’s Club, has spoken about ocean conservation at venues worldwide, sits on the Editorial Board of the journal Endangered Species Research, and serves as an advisor to governments, international organizations, media productions, and large-scale corporations interested in sustainability.
CONTACT us
Interested in joining the Coalition?
Please reach out with your contact information and we will be in touch soon.
ADDRESS
P.O. Box 412
Kralendijk, Bonaire
Dutch Caribbean
info@caribbeansharkcoalition
