We reached out to the local angling community to form a collaboration with a shared goal: to keep the sharks and rays in South African waters, for generations to come.
We discussed responsible angling, and best handling techniques. As well as how researchers and anglers can better work together, for the benefit of the animals.
When Amahle Fanelo began his journey with us through our Oceans Research Foundation, Sea the Change program, we never could have guessed how far he'd come. Not only has he embraced all aspects of our marine employability program, working extremely hard to learn these new skills, but he has done so well, that it actually led him to save a life, through the lifeguard training he underwent as part of the program.
We took the opportunity to interview this amazing young man…
Plastic pollution is a growing problem for our environment. One of the worst affected ecosystems, is our oceans.
Oceans Research has recently started a microplastics project, for our field research program. We use a purpose built trawl, called a LADI trawl, to gather debris from the ocean surface, that we later analyse for plastic particles.
Here’s a video showcasing our project:
Read our FIVE STEPS to wisely choose a Marine Research Internship Program.
How work-ready are you? Potential employers look at, besides your degree, your job-specific skills.
A field experience program gives you the opportunity to not only develop your skill sets to make you more employable, but also helps you contextualize what a career in marine research will look like down the road.
The conservation research and activities of Dr Chris Parsons and his students Recent Graduate Student Research Projects:
MS Students
• McConchie, T. 2007. Area.
Computer assisted analysis of individual bottlenose dolphin fins off Wallops Island, Virginia. Masters thesis. George Mason University, Virginia. (joint director with D. Kelso)
• McDuff, H. 2008. How sea turtle populations are impacted by shrimp trawls along the United States east coast and the Gulf of Mexico. Masters project. George Mason University, Virginia.
• Tadur, S. 2008. The use of patent
variables in biotech firm valuation-the case of misspecified models. George Mason University, Virginia.
• O’Bryhim, J. 2009. Public knowledge, attitudes and behavior to sharks and shark conservation. George Mason University, Virginia.
• Wong, D.L. 2009. Public perception of mammals and mammal conservation in Fairfax County. George Mason University, Virginia.
• Willis, T. 2009. Decentralized wind energy generation: advantages and challenges. George Mason University, Virginia.
• Fazio, J. 2010. A behavioral assessment of the clouded leopard (Neofelis nebulosa); a comparative analysis of reproductive success. George Mason University, Virginia.
• Griffith, D. 2010. Waste reduction as a method to reach conservation goals; a comparative analysis of plastic waste management. George Mason University, Virginia.
• Patterson, K. 2010. Conservation, captivity, and whaling: a survey of Belize whale-watching tourist attitudes to cetacean conservation issues. George Mason University, Virginia.
• Sitar-Gonzales, A. 2011. A survey of student opinions of green commercials. Master’s thesis. George Mason University, Virginia.
• Galgano, M.R. 2011. A review of Brucella — focusing on marine mammals and the associated zoonotic health risk. Master’s project. George Mason University, Virginia.
• Tracy, S. 2012. Understanding conservation: a study of student attitudes and understanding of the effects of human activities on global ecosystems. George Mason University, Virginia.
• Hendren, A. 2012. The public perception of marine invertebrates in the Washington, D.C. George Mason University, Virginia.
• Sharma, A. 2012. Marine plastic pollution. George Mason University, Virginia.
• Redman, M. 2013. Keeping green schoolyards green: a study of challenges and success strategies for the long-term sustainability of schoolyard habitats. George Mason University, Virginia.
• Ozbenian, S. 2013. Survey of attitudes toward, conflicts with and management of wolves and bears in rural villages in Armenia. George Mason University, Virginia.
• Roland, A. 2013. Population size and viability of bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) off the coast of the Parque Nacional De Este, Dominican Republic. George Mason University, Virginia.
• Abrahams, H. 2014. Mitochondrial control region diversity and phylogeographic patterns of the Atlantic white-sided dolphin (Lagenorhynchus acutus) along the East Coast of the United States. PhD Students
• Ambler, J.B. 2011. Whales and the people who watch them: baleen whales in Virginia’s near-shore waters and the educational and conservation potential of whale watching. Doctoral thesis. George Mason University, Virginia.
• Crerar, L. 2012. Genetics of the Steller’s sea cow (Hydrodamalis gigas): a study of ancient bone material. George Mason University, Virginia.
• Luksenburg, J. 2012. The cetaceans of Aruba: a multidisciplinary study. George Mason University, Virginia.
• Shafer, C.L. 2013. Grizzly emigration and land use: an interdisciplinary case study of the Greater Yellowstone ecosystem. George Mason University, Virginia.
• Thornhill, J.L., 2014. Bridging the gap between research and decision-making: empirical evidence from a case study of gray wolf (Canis lupus) management in the US.
Operating as usual
03/08/2023
We will be able to protect biodiversity more effectively if the conservation profession includes different genders, races, ethnicities and cultures and represents a range of values and viewpoints. That’s why it’s important to continue to elevate women doing amazing conservation work.
Read our blog to find out what inspired some of the women at Defenders to pursue a career in conservation! https://dfnd.us/3YBPYX4
Drivers of Biodiversity Loss: Climate Change
Climate change is fundamentally changing the ecosystems that many endangered species live in, threatening their continued health and survival.
It’s Not Just Wailing About Whaling
Last month, the International Whaling Commission met in Slovenia to discuss the plight of the world’s whale populations.
11/18/2022
What Climate Change Means for ESA Listings
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has officially declared the emperor penguin a threatened species under the U.S. Endangered Species Act due to the existential risk posed by climate change.
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