The International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) is the world’s oldest and largest global environmental network that aims to help the world find pragmatic solutions to our most pressing environment and development challenges by supporting scientific research. The IUCN manages field projects all over the world, and brings governments, non-government organizations, United Nations agencies, international conventions, companies and local communities together to develop policy, laws and best practice. IUCN is a democratic union with more than 1,000 government and NGO member organizations, and almost 11,000 volunteer scientists in more than 160 countries. IUCN’s work is supported by over 1,000 professional staff in 60 offices and hundreds of partners in public, NGO and private sectors around the world. The Union’s headquarters are located in Gland, near Geneva, Switzerland.
The IUCN Species Survival Commission is a science-based network of ~ 7,500 volunteer experts from almost every country of the world, all working together towards achieving the vision of “A world that values and conserves nature through positive action to reduce the loss of diversity of life on earth." Members include researchers, government officials, wildlife veterinarians, zoo and botanical institute employees, marine biologists, protected area managers, and experts on plants, birds, mammals, fish, amphibians, reptiles, and invertebrates. Most members are deployed in more than 100 Specialist Groups and Task Forces. Some groups address conservation issues related to particular groups of plants or animals while others focus on topical issues such as reintroduction of species into former habitats, or wildlife health. Working in close association with IUCN’s Species Programme, SSC’s major role is to provide information to IUCN on biodiversity conservation, the inherent value of species, their role in ecosystem health and functioning, the provision of ecosystem services, and their support to human livelihoods. SSC members also provide scientific advice to conservation organizations, government agencies and other IUCN members, and support the implementation of multilateral environmental agreements.
The IUCN SSC Shark Specialist Group (SSG) appoints its members by invitation. Members are volunteer experts who are actively involved in elasmobranch research and fisheries management, marine conservation and policy formulation. The work of the SSG is led by two Co-Chairs and an Executive Committee. Regional Vice-Chairs are appointed to co-ordinate work of the Group around the world and to provide a link between members, the Executive Committee, Co-Chairs, staff and the SSC. A Global cross-cutting working group includes people working on international issues and whose knowledge covers several regions. Anyone interested in contributing to the work of the SSG should contact us, indicating their field of expertise.
The SSG is one of the largest and most active Specialist Groups, with 165 members from 51 countries and territories. We operate with Co-Chairs, a Deputy Chair and Vice-Chair specialists who make up the Executive Committee. Regional Vice-Chairs are also appointed for each of the 12 SSG regions and coordinate the work of SSG members in these regions. The Shark Specialist Group is the Red List Authority for Chondrichthyan fishes, guided by the Red List Authourity Coordinator
The Specialist Groups of the SSC disband and reform every four years, following the World Conservation Congress, at the beginning of IUCN’s new quadrennium. IUCN’s current quadrennium runs from 2017-2020. Details are provided below for the SSG Executive Committee and Regional Vice-Chairs. Learn more about our Membership Policy and Terms of Reference.
The IUCN Species Survival Commission is a science-based network of ~ 7,500 volunteer experts from almost every country of the world, all working together towards achieving the vision of “A world that values and conserves nature through positive action to reduce the loss of diversity of life on earth." Members include researchers, government officials, wildlife veterinarians, zoo and botanical institute employees, marine biologists, protected area managers, and experts on plants, birds, mammals, fish, amphibians, reptiles, and invertebrates. Most members are deployed in more than 100 Specialist Groups and Task Forces. Some groups address conservation issues related to particular groups of plants or animals while others focus on topical issues such as reintroduction of species into former habitats, or wildlife health. Working in close association with IUCN’s Species Programme, SSC’s major role is to provide information to IUCN on biodiversity conservation, the inherent value of species, their role in ecosystem health and functioning, the provision of ecosystem services, and their support to human livelihoods. SSC members also provide scientific advice to conservation organizations, government agencies and other IUCN members, and support the implementation of multilateral environmental agreements.
The IUCN SSC Shark Specialist Group (SSG) appoints its members by invitation. Members are volunteer experts who are actively involved in elasmobranch research and fisheries management, marine conservation and policy formulation. The work of the SSG is led by two Co-Chairs and an Executive Committee. Regional Vice-Chairs are appointed to co-ordinate work of the Group around the world and to provide a link between members, the Executive Committee, Co-Chairs, staff and the SSC. A Global cross-cutting working group includes people working on international issues and whose knowledge covers several regions. Anyone interested in contributing to the work of the SSG should contact us, indicating their field of expertise.
The SSG is one of the largest and most active Specialist Groups, with 165 members from 51 countries and territories. We operate with Co-Chairs, a Deputy Chair and Vice-Chair specialists who make up the Executive Committee. Regional Vice-Chairs are also appointed for each of the 12 SSG regions and coordinate the work of SSG members in these regions. The Shark Specialist Group is the Red List Authority for Chondrichthyan fishes, guided by the Red List Authourity Coordinator
The Specialist Groups of the SSC disband and reform every four years, following the World Conservation Congress, at the beginning of IUCN’s new quadrennium. IUCN’s current quadrennium runs from 2017-2020. Details are provided below for the SSG Executive Committee and Regional Vice-Chairs. Learn more about our Membership Policy and Terms of Reference.
Executive Committee
Co-Chair: Nick Dulvy (Canada)
Co-Chair: Colin Simpfendorfer (Australia)
Deputy Chair: Sonja Fordham (USA)
Vice-Chair Trade: Shelley Clarke (Japan)
Vice-Chair Traffic: Glenn Sant (Australia)
Vice-Chair Taxonomy: David Ebert (USA)
Vice-Chair Strategy: Michelle Heupel (Australia)
Regional Groups and Regional Vice-Chairs
Australia and Oceania: Peter Kyne (Australia)
Indian Ocean: Rima Jabado (United Arab Emirates), Alec Moore (UK)
Mediterranean: Alen Soldo (Croatia), Fabrizio Serena (Italy)
Northeast Atlantic: Edward Farrell (Ireland), Heike Zidowitz (Germany)
Northwest Atlantic: Dave Kulka (Canada), John Carlson (USA)
Northeast Pacific: David Ebert (USA), Chris Lowe (USA)
Northwest Pacific: Alexei Orlov (Russia), Atsuko Yamaguchi (Japan)
Southeast Asia: Fahmi (Indonesia), Ahmad Bin Ali (Malaysia)
Sub-equitorial Africa: Simon Pierce (Mozambique), Melita Samoilys (Kenya)
West Africa: Mika Diop (Senegal)
Central America and the Caribbean: Mario Espinoza (Costa Rica), Oscar Sosa-Nishizaki (Mexico)
Western South America: Carlos Bustamante (Chile)
Eastern South America: Patricia Charvet (Brazil), Vicente Faria (Brazil)
Programme Staff
Red List Authority Coordinator: Riley Pollom
Red List Authority Coordinator: Cassie Rigby
Red List Authority Coordinator: Peter Kyne
Red List Officer: Katelyn Herman (Georgia Aquarium)
SSG Programme Officer: Wade VanderWright
Emeritus Members
Jose Castro
John Morrissey
Jack Musick
David Pollard
John Stevens
Co-Chair: Nick Dulvy (Canada)
Co-Chair: Colin Simpfendorfer (Australia)
Deputy Chair: Sonja Fordham (USA)
Vice-Chair Trade: Shelley Clarke (Japan)
Vice-Chair Traffic: Glenn Sant (Australia)
Vice-Chair Taxonomy: David Ebert (USA)
Vice-Chair Strategy: Michelle Heupel (Australia)
Regional Groups and Regional Vice-Chairs
Australia and Oceania: Peter Kyne (Australia)
Indian Ocean: Rima Jabado (United Arab Emirates), Alec Moore (UK)
Mediterranean: Alen Soldo (Croatia), Fabrizio Serena (Italy)
Northeast Atlantic: Edward Farrell (Ireland), Heike Zidowitz (Germany)
Northwest Atlantic: Dave Kulka (Canada), John Carlson (USA)
Northeast Pacific: David Ebert (USA), Chris Lowe (USA)
Northwest Pacific: Alexei Orlov (Russia), Atsuko Yamaguchi (Japan)
Southeast Asia: Fahmi (Indonesia), Ahmad Bin Ali (Malaysia)
Sub-equitorial Africa: Simon Pierce (Mozambique), Melita Samoilys (Kenya)
West Africa: Mika Diop (Senegal)
Central America and the Caribbean: Mario Espinoza (Costa Rica), Oscar Sosa-Nishizaki (Mexico)
Western South America: Carlos Bustamante (Chile)
Eastern South America: Patricia Charvet (Brazil), Vicente Faria (Brazil)
Programme Staff
Red List Authority Coordinator: Riley Pollom
Red List Authority Coordinator: Cassie Rigby
Red List Authority Coordinator: Peter Kyne
Red List Officer: Katelyn Herman (Georgia Aquarium)
SSG Programme Officer: Wade VanderWright
Emeritus Members
Jose Castro
John Morrissey
Jack Musick
David Pollard
John Stevens