Angola Elasmo Project: Shark Conservation Through Community Engagement

The Angola Elasmo Project was created with a clear purpose: to bridge science with community for the protection of sharks, rays, and their habitats along the Angolan coast. Based in Namibe, this is the first project dedicated to elasmobranch research, education, and conservation in Angola, and it continues to grow thanks to the dedication of local people who are deeply connected to the ocean.

From the very beginning, local fishers, university students, and volunteers have played an essential role. Their traditional knowledge, coupled with scientific research, has been the driving force behind the project’s success.

Local fisherwomen play a key role in the project, supporting sample collection during processing while sustaining their families through this essential work. Photo © Ana Lucia Furtado Soares

Conservation Rooted in Community

The Angola Elasmo Project is not only about research, but it is about creating lasting impact by fostering shark and ray awareness, education, and empowerment within local communities. Over the years, we have run workshops, community talks, and awareness campaigns directly in fishing neighbourhoods, always aiming to connect people with the importance of protecting sharks and rays.

Local students who once joined out of curiosity are now trained in species identification, data collection, and fieldwork. They are now active members of the project, contributing to conservation efforts and sharing their knowledge with their peers and families. This is how real change begins, through education and involvement!

Data collection in action at the landing site. Our team works closely with fishers to record species information, crucial for understanding biodiversity and informing conservation. Photo © Bruno Catraio

Fishers: Key Partners in Conservation

Our relationship with the local fishing communities has been central to every step forward. Fishers help us locate landing sites, alert us to important catches, and openly share their deep knowledge of the ocean. Their collaboration has been essential to documenting species along the coast. Without their trust, support, and willingness to engage, this project simply wouldn’t be possible.

Sharks are an essential source of protein and income for coastal communities. Promoting sustainable practices is key to balancing livelihoods with conservation. Photo © Ana Lucia furtado Soares

A Keystone Moment for the Project

This year marks an exciting milestone: the Angola Elasmo Project is now a Keystone Grant recipient from the Save Our Seas Foundation. This vital support means that we can now expand our research, outreach, and education efforts.

With this grant, we will continue to strengthen local capacity, training more students, engaging more fishers, and reaching further into coastal communities with educational campaigns. The future of shark and ray conservation in Angola will be even more community-led and sustainable.

Community outreach session with local students and fishers. Engaging young people is key to building a new generation of ocean stewards in Angola. Photo © Marcello Calenga

Gratitude to the Namibe Community

This project belongs to the community of Namibe as much as it does to conservation. I am deeply grateful to the fishers who open their working spaces to us, the students and young volunteers whose commitment never stops, government members and the local families who believe in the importance of protecting our ocean.

Together, we are showing that conservation is most effective when it is locally driven, inclusive, and built on trust. This is just the beginning, and with continued collaboration, the future looks hopeful for Angola’s sharks, rays, and the coastal communities who rely on them.

Local volunteers from the Angola Elasmo Project proudly holding the project banner. Our dedicated local team is the backbone of our conservation efforts. Photo © Ana Lucia Furtado Soares