In this episode of Art Strategy Impact, host Jess Coldrey interviews marine conservationist Dr. Clementine Seguigne from Tahiti, French Polynesia, about the cultural perceptions of sharks and their impact on conservation efforts. The discussion covers Dr. Seguigne's career transition from engineering to marine biology, her research on shark behaviour and personality, and the importance of international cooperation in shark conservation. The episode also explores the ethical complexities of shark feeding, human safety and the role of ecotourism in conservation.

A typical day for Clementine is anything but ordinary. Her work involves a mix of office tasks, such as data analysis and writing research papers, and exciting fieldwork, including tagging sharks to study their movement patterns. For instance, she is currently researching the behavior of silky and tiger sharks, using non-lethal fishing methods to gather data. This hands-on approach allows her to contribute valuable insights into how human activities impact shark populations.

One of the most intriguing aspects of Clementine's research is the exploration of shark personalities. Just like humans, individual sharks exhibit varying traits, including boldness, shyness, and aggression. Understanding these personalities is crucial for managing shark populations and addressing issues like shark bites. By recognising that not all sharks behave the same way, conservationists can implement more effective strategies for coexistence with humans.

Takeaways

• Sharks follow regular paths along reefs, observing and feeding.

• Cultural stories about sharks impact conservation efforts.

• Shark tagging helps understand human-shark interactions.

• Sharks have unique personalities, similar to humans.

• Shark sanctuaries increase shark abundance and diversity.

• International cooperation is crucial for shark conservation.

• Shark provisioning has ethical and ecological implications.

• Ecotourism can support shark conservation efforts.

• Understanding sharks reduces fear and promotes respect.

Podcast Links

Sponsor | ⁠The Australian French Association for Innovation and Research⁠⁠ https://www.afran.org.au/

⁠Contact Clementine for research collaborations:

Email : clementine.seguigne@aremp.org

For IREMP : https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?...

For ORP : https://www.facebook.com/Observatoire...