Welcome to our twelfth episode! This time, we take a closer look at sharks and rays, and the complex realities of conserving them in a region where fisheries, livelihoods, and global policy are deeply connected.

We sit down with Daniel Fernando, Co-Founder and Director at Blue Resources Trust, where he leads the Fisheries and Policy Programme. Daniel shares his experience working across long-term fisheries research and international policy, offering a grounded perspective on what it takes to manage elasmobranch species in the Indian Ocean.

In this conversation, we unpack what current research reveals about shark and ray populations in Sri Lanka, why these species are particularly vulnerable, and how conservation plays out in data-limited, high-pressure fisheries. We also explore the importance of strengthening local scientific capacity, and the challenge of aligning global conservation priorities with national realities.

We close by looking ahead to Sharks International 2026, which Sri Lanka is set to host, and what this moment could mean for shaping conversations, collaboration, and leadership on shark and ray conservation in the region.