21-24.05.24 – CIESM organized a workshop in Alexandria, Egypt, hosted by the National Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries (NIOF). Over three days, shark experts from Egypt, Italy, Türkiye, Monaco, France, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Libya, and Tunisia gathered to present, refine, and field-test the protocol for CIESM’s ‘SHARKnowledge’ initiative, which aims to collect insights on shark presence and habitats through interviews with local fishers. Additionally, an expert team led a demonstration on shark tagging with satellite transmitters, providing hands-on experience for participants with limited prior exposure to this technique.
The primary objective was to present, refine, and conduct essential field-testing for the protocol of CIESM’s innovative SHARKnowledge initiative. This project is designed to systematically gather crucial insights into shark presence, distribution, and habitats across the Mediterranean through structured interviews with local fishers, leveraging their invaluable traditional knowledge and daily observations.
Furthermore, the workshop featured a comprehensive practical session. A specialist expert team led a detailed demonstration on the technique of tagging sharks with advanced satellite transmitters, providing essential, hands-on experience for participants with limited prior exposure to this sophisticated tracking methodology. This dual approach of socio-ecological data collection and high-tech monitoring ensures a robust strategy for shark conservation in the region.
