A group of researchers and members of the local community at the Namibe fishing port in Angola has created the Angola Elasmo Project, the country’s first initiative dedicated exclusively to the research, education, and conservation of elasmobranchs — a group of fish that includes various species of sharks and rays — and the marine ecosystems that sustain coastal life.
The initiative, designed to bring science closer to the populations who depend on the sea, was launched with the support of fishermen, university students, and volunteers, according to a statement released by the Save Our Seas Foundation — an organization dedicated to protecting ocean life, especially sharks and rays.
The combination of traditional knowledge from these communities and the tools of scientific research has been crucial to the project’s success.
From a scientific perspective, the Angola Elasmo Project conducts regular monitoring at landing sites, identifying captured species, measuring specimens, and collecting biological samples for genetic analysis and diet studies. This data helps assess shark and ray populations, understand migration patterns, and detect possible changes in marine biodiversity.
The information gathered is shared with national and international institutions, serving as the basis for management and conservation recommendations tailored to Angola’s reality. At landing sites, many women, while processing fish, assist in collecting samples for species research, while also providing for their families. This close collaboration has enabled the collection of key data to better understand marine biodiversity along Angola’s coast.
Since its inception, the project has organized awareness activities, lectures, and information campaigns directly in fishing neighborhoods. The initiative has also trained young people who initially became involved out of curiosity in species identification, data collection, and fieldwork, eventually becoming active conservation agents within their own communities.
The relationship with fishing communities is one of the initiative’s cornerstones. Fishermen help identify landing sites, report significant catches, and share their in-depth knowledge of the sea. This collaboration has been fundamental in recording the presence of various species and in promoting more sustainable fishing practices.
This year, the project received funding from the Save Our Seas Foundation, which will allow the expansion of research, education, and awareness activities, training more students, involving more fishermen, and reaching new coastal communities.
The team acknowledges that its success depends largely on the trust and support of the Namibe population: fishermen, young volunteers, local authorities, and families have all been active partners.
According to the project leaders, the path to effective conservation lies in solutions that are born and grow within the communities themselves. The future, they affirm, could be promising — not only for sharks and rays but also for the people who rely on them for survival.
Source: Diário Económico
