Enhancing Global Shark Conservation Policy through Effective Non-Detriment Findings (NDFs)

Abhishek, an MSc student at Newcastle University and summer intern at NatureBureau, is developing Non-Detriment Finding (NDF) templates for three shark species with Sarah Fowler OBE. These tools help protect CITES-listed sharks from overfishing. Join us to hear about his work, consultancy experience, and next steps in shark conservation

Abhishek is an MSc postgraduate student at Newcastle University working in partnership with NatureBureau as their Postgraduate Intern over the summer. Working closely with Sarah Fowler OBE, Marine Director of NatureBureau and seasoned shark ecology expert, Abhishek’s work is centred around Non-Detriment Findings (NDFs) for tope shark, short fin mako sharks, and Mustelus sharks. NDFs are a tool developed by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), with Sarah Fowler leading the development. Scientists can input population, ecological, and catch data about a species of shark in a specific area, and the NDF tool will determine whether the export of this species will negatively impact the species’ survival in the wild. Abhishek’s aim is to produce template NDFs for specific stocks of the three focus species, filling in the relevant details about the species using literature and allowing relevant countries to utilise the template to produce efficient determinations when they are ready. This process will allow CITES Appendix II listed shark species to be protected from overfishing by reducing the time taken to complete the assessment. Abhishek will join us to speak about his work, how he has found his taster of marine consultancy work, and what we will do next so come along to hear from the next generation of shark conservation. Abhishek Gerald is an MSc postgraduate student at Newcastle University in Marine Conservation and Sustainability with 2 years of experience in the field. Before his MSc in the UK, Abhishek worked as a Research Associate and Senior Research Fellow at the Foundation for Ecological Research, Advocacy and Learning in Chennai, India. In his roles he carried out landing surveys of elasmobranchs, conducted fisher interviews, and analysed data

Suitable for all