Sara Scroglieri

Who I am

Growing up in Milan, Italy, I was geographically far from the coast but close to the sea in spirit. My dad was an avid diver and from a very young age I felt that the ocean was an anchor in my life. Even though I was raised in a big metropolitan area, water was home, and I guess that’s why travelling ended up being so important to me, as a way to get closer to the nature and landscapes I’ve always felt more connected to.

Like many millennials, I grew up with fantasy novels and found comfort in books and films. Beyond the sea, I’ve always felt safe around music, art and stories, and reading still gives me the rare opportunity to completely immerse myself and switch off my mind. I also love food and the comfort of a home-cooked meal, and thoroughly enjoy cooking.

I guess my most obvious personality traits are that I’m very precise and organised, and the one who keeps things under control even when the going gets tough. On the other hand, I’m also smiley and funny, and try to find the silver lining in every situation. Still, living away from home for the past six years has definitely shaped me, and my occasional mental health struggles have added their own kind of ‘spice’ to life.

The ocean though, has been my constant companion. I’ve been fascinated by sharks for as long as I can remember – probably since fighting for the underdog has been important to me – and that fascination has never left me. To this day, being in the ocean with sharks feels like being exactly where I belong, connecting with something bigger than myself and reminding me of why I’ve always felt most alive underwater.

Where I work

I am based in Maldives, a nation comprising almost 1,200 islands in the Central Indian Ocean. In 2010 it was declared a shark sanctuary, which means that all shark fishing is prohibited. This made it one of the few places in the world where sharks are fully protected. However, very little is known about the abundance, distribution and ecology of these species, especially of the more elusive ones like deep-sea sharks, which are less of a drawcard for tourists.

In Maldives sharks are an integral part of the marine ecosystem as well as of the cultural identity of local communities. Reef, pelagic and deep-sea sharks, like gulper sharks, occur across all atolls and have co-existed with the local people for centuries. More recently, sharks have become a major driver of tourism in the country, attracting divers and snorkellers from all over the world.

Since 2024 I have been working as the research manager for the Miyaru Programme, a Maldivian NGO and research network dedicated to shark research and conservation. We summarise what we do as ‘collaborative science, capacity building and community engagement for shark conservation’. Entirely volunteer-run, our organisation brings together local and international researchers, community members and decision-makers to study sharks, raise awareness and build capacity for inclusive and lasting conservation efforts.
Being in Maldives, we are able to study a range of habitats – from shallow reefs to deep atoll edges – and a number of shark species, from juvenile blacktip reef sharks to hammerheads and gulper sharks. As our work spans the whole country, we get the chance to collaborate with local stakeholders at a national level and to support community-inclusive and conservation-driven projects. Conducting shark research in a sanctuary context offers us the unique opportunity to study these animals in a relatively undisturbed environment, and we are able to highlight the role of strong legislation and local stewardship in marine conservation.

What I do

My role as the research manager at the Miyaru Programme is a mix of field work and behind-the-scenes coordination. In the field, I support projects ranging from eDNA sampling and the deployment of BRUVs to aerial drone surveys and citizen science programmes. I also coordinate students who decide to join us for their dissertation projects, guiding them to contribute meaningfully to science, conservation and capacity building.
When I’m not in, on or under the water, I support the rest of my team in managing the details that keep everything running, from data analysis to social media work, writing reports and coordinating with international partners. Training and outreach are also central to the work that I do, as we want local capacity and skills to grow together with our research.
Like most foreign nationals in Maldives, I also work in the tourism industry, which gives me the opportunity to share shark stories beyond the NGO and the scientific community. I engage directly with tourists and visitors, sparking curiosity and conversations about sharks and the ocean around us.
Whether in the field, on a boat or at a desk, what I value most is sharing my passion for sharks and the work that I do, and making these fascinating creatures less misunderstood and more loved, respected and protected.