Rima Jabado, Ph.D.

Research

Daniel Fernando Blue Resources Trust

Rhinos of the sea: Unraveling a conservation mystery

Guitarfishes and wedgefishes are facing a global conservation crisis. Over the past two decades, scientists have documented large-scale declines in the populations of these sharklike rays. These losses are driven by intense fishing pressure, high demand for their lucrative fins, and habitat destruction. Over 70% of the 65 species in the group are listed on the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List of Threatened Species as either critically endangered, endangered, or vulnerable to extinction, but these rhino rays have received little attention from the conservation community.

Rima Jabado focused on understanding the exploitation of these species in four countries with limited species-specific data: India, Sri Lanka, Senegal, and Mauritania. She developed new tools for local data collection and analysis to help standardize research approaches and undertook field trainings to build the capacity of local researchers to monitor these species. Jabado quantified fisheries landings of rhino rays, interviewed fishers to identify the social and economic drivers behind their exploitation, and worked with various national and international organizations to raise the profile of these species. Results from this research have informed Red List assessments, listings on the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna,  and management measures. It also provides critical data to support the development of conservation action plans.  

To learn more about Jabado, read her bio: http://www.gulfelasmoproject.com/the-team.html.

See the full list of 2019 Pew marine fellows.