The EAF-Nansen project focused on assessing marine life along the Walvis Ridge off the coast of Namibia, Africa. Steaming out on the R/V Dr. Fridtjof Nansen, the crew, including researchers from South East Atlantic Fisheries Organization (SEAFO), the FAO, the R/V Nansen proper and Pacific Shark Research Center, investigated the areas to see if they are vulnerable marine ecosystems (VMEs) or if they can support sustainable fishing pressure. Fishing occurs in the area, but we have almost no information on the bycatch in some of these places. Since the bycatch are indicator species of the marine ecosystem vulnerability of the areas, learning more about them will improve the assessments.
For more information on the EAF-Nansen project, visit the http://www.fao.org/in-action/eaf-nansen/blog/en/
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Published by pauljclerkin
Paul J. Clerkin is a researcher with a master’s degree from Moss Landing Marine Laboratories currently working on his PhD at the Virginia Institute of Marine Science. Clerkin specializes in rare and deep-sea chondrichthyans and focuses on new species descriptions, taxonomy, life histories, genetics, and tagging of poorly understood shark species. His outside-the-box approach combines working with local fishers and high-tech innovative research techniques such as remotely operated vehicles (ROVs), specialized deep-sea cameras, and satellite archival tags.
His research has granted him a variety of opportunities including leading workshops for the United Nations, serving as a shark expert for a Food and Agriculture Organization’s research cruise, and producing several shark documentaries. He has conducted research projects aboard ships in the Indian, Atlantic, and Pacific oceans. Clerkin has discovered over a dozen new species of sharks and has gotten in the water to tag some of the rarest sharks on the planet including the ultra-rare Megamouth Shark.
Paul Clerkin is currently describing new species that he has discovered, preparing a workshop for the Republic of Mauritius regarding their National Plan of Action for sharks, and organizing an international research program for sharks.
His research interests include: shark taxonomy, robotics, artificial intelligence, eDNA, biologgers, and marine conservation policy.
Find him @
deepblueresearchfoundation.org
https://pauljclerkin.com/
Twitter: @PaulJClerkin
Instagram: paul_j_clerkin
Facebook: @PaulJClerkin
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Paul J. Clerkin 