The Project
Founded by Ana Lúcia Furtado Soares, marine scientist, the Angola Elasmo Project is the first initiative exclusively dedicated to the research and conservation of elasmobranchs in Angola. Based in Namibe Province, the project collects biological data, monitors fisheries, investigates national and international trade, and promotes awareness through education and engagement with local communities.
Elasmobranchs,sharks and rays,play a fundamental role in marine ecosystems. They regulate food webs, maintain healthy fish populations, and contribute to overall biodiversity. However, due to their slow growth, late maturation, and low reproductive rates, many species are extremely vulnerable to overfishing.
In Angola and across West Africa, shark and ray populations have experienced a marked decline since the 1970s, driven largely by increasing international demand for fins and meat. Fisheries, often poorly monitored, capture many of these species as bycatch, while others are directly targeted. Without data on which species are being caught, where, and in what quantities, effective conservation becomes impossible.
Scientific Importance
The study of elasmobranchs in Angola is critical for Africa, as it provides baseline information on species diversity, distribution, and interactions with fisheries. This work is supervised by Dr. Rima Jabado, an international expert in shark and ray conservation and Chair of the IUCN SSC Shark Specialist Group, with contributions from Dr. Gerhard Haszprunar and Dr. Carmen Santos, researchers with expertise in marine ecology, biodiversity, and conservation.
These data are essential to:
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Assess the impact of fisheries on threatened populations
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Develop sustainable management and conservation strategies
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Protect both vulnerable species and the coastal communities that depend on them
Mission
The Angola Elasmo Project is dedicated to the protection of sharks and rays (elasmobranchs) along the Angolan coast through the integration of scientific research, conservation, and education. Our goal is to address critical knowledge gaps regarding elasmobranch species, their abundance, and the threats they face, while empowering local communities to adopt sustainable fishing practices and responsible marine stewardship.
Philosophy
Marine ecosystems, particularly apex predators such as sharks and rays, are increasingly threatened by overfishing, habitat degradation, and unsustainable international trade. Effective conservation requires an integrated approach that combines rigorous ecological research, local capacity building, and targeted educational actions, promoting sustainable management and long-term ecosystem resilience.
At the Angola Elasmo Project, we prioritise long-term engagement, working closely with coastal fishers, training volunteers, and raising awareness among students, communities, and decision-makers. By bringing science closer to society, we aim to develop evidence-based solutions that protect threatened elasmobranchs while supporting the livelihoods of communities that depend on healthy marine ecosystems.
OUR TEAM
Meet the dedicated team behind the Angola Elasmo Project, committed to protecting and conserving marine life in Angola.
ANA LUCIA SOARES
Founder and Director
Ana Lúcia Furtado Soares is a marine scientist, conservationist, PhD candidate at Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität Munich, and founder of the Angola Elasmo Project. She holds a degree in Marine Sciences from the University of Algarve and a master's degree in Biodiversity and Marine Conservation from Ghent University (Belgium), with international research experience at Sorbonne Université, Pierre et Marie Curie (France), and the University of Vale do Itajaí (Brazil). She combines scientific research with environmental education and conservation.
She is a member of the IUCN Shark Specialist Group (SSG) for the Africa region, contributing to the assessment of shark and ray species and to the application of research and education findings to conservation strategies and public policies.
She was an Environmental Educator at the Lisbon Oceanarium in Portugal and an Educational Coordinator at the Elasmo Project NGO in the United Arab Emirates, leading monitoring, training, and awareness programs about sharks and rays.
In Angola, she develops research and conservation projects involving fieldwork, biological and genetic analyses, and environmental education initiatives with communities and students, with the aim of promoting the protection of endangered species, sustainable fishing practices, responsible management of marine biodiversity, and the implementation of conservation policies based on scientific evidence.
BERNARDO COTRIM
Operations
Bernardo Cotrim leads operations with a rare combination of discipline, sensitivity, and purpose. He brings with him the experience gained in the Armed Forces, coupled with a deep passion for marine life and challenging environments, where rigor and adaptation are essential.
Defending ecosystems and tirelessly hoping to contribute to a better world are part of her DNA and are reflected in how she inspires and mobilizes everyone around her.
The decision to join the project and change his life stemmed from an immediate and profound impact. From the first moment he had the opportunity to be on the ground, witnessing firsthand the dedication, commitment, and genuine engagement of everyone involved, Bernardo realized that this was a greater cause, capable of transforming not only the environment but also the people who are part of it. This direct contact with the mission and the human strength of the project marked him decisively and irreversibly.
Always willing to go the extra mile for the cause, Bernardo naturally assumes the role of motivator, leading by example and action. In parallel, he is a talented photographer and videographer, with a keen and sensitive eye, capable of capturing beauty and emotion even in the most demanding contexts or where it seems less obvious—transforming images into living testimonies of the impact and importance of the work being done.
DOMINGOS
DOS SANTOS
Strategic Coordination and Community Mobilization
Domingos dos Santos holds a degree in Marine Resources and a master's degree in Marine Sciences and Technologies, with additional training in Project Management and Marine Protected Areas.
He works on the ELASMO Project as the person responsible for strategic coordination and local mobilization, playing a central role in the organization, implementation, and consolidation of the project's actions.
With experience in team leadership, institutional coordination, and volunteer mentoring, he stands out for his ability to connect communities, partners, and organizational structures, ensuring the coherence and effectiveness of activities in different operational contexts.
Your work directly contributes to strengthening the marine conservation, environmental education, and civic participation initiatives promoted by ELASMO.
Committed to the sustainability of marine ecosystems, Domingos believes that effective conservation depends on the informed involvement of communities and the development of solid, sustainable long-term projects.
PACIENE
CAPINGANA
Colaborator
Paciane Teresa de Carvalho Capingana holds a Bachelor’s degree in Marine Resources from the University of Namibe and currently resides in Moçâmedes, Namibe Province.
She works professionally in the field of Environment, Health, and Safety (EHS), serving as an EHS Assistant Technician, with a focus on risk prevention, occupational safety, and environmental protection.
She is also an Environmental Education Trainer, with an emphasis on Climate Change, contributing to the enhancement of environmental awareness and the adoption of sustainable practices.
Additionally, she serves as Coordinator and Advisor for the NERM Association and volunteers with the Angola Elasmo Project, actively participating in initiatives related to marine conservation, environmental education, and community development.
MARCELINO
CALENGA
Voluntary
Marcelino Temiha Calenga is a final-year student of Marine Biology at the Faculty of Natural Sciences of the University of Namibe, focusing on environmental conservation, sustainable management of natural resources, and applied scientific research.
Throughout his training, he has combined theory and practice, gaining experience as a field assistant in biodiversity surveys, environmental monitoring, and environmental impact studies within the scope of the Professional Development Program at Holísticos – Serviços, Estudos & Consultoria.
He also worked as an assistant laboratory technician at the Lisima Foundation, developing essential technical skills for scientific research. He also participated in biodiversity projects promoted by the Kissama Foundation, in partnership with National Geographic.
An active volunteer with the Angola Elasmo Project since 2022, it was in this project that he consolidated his commitment to marine conservation, gaining direct experience in the field and deepening his understanding of the challenges of protecting elasmobranchs in Angola. This experience has been crucial in guiding his academic and professional trajectory.
With a proactive profile, Marcelino Calenga establishes himself as a young professional in training, committed to environmental solutions based on science, ecological responsibility, and social impact.
MARCELINO
CALENGA
Voluntary
Marcelino Temiha Calenga is a final-year student of Marine Biology at the Faculty of Natural Sciences of the University of Namibe, focusing on environmental conservation, sustainable management of natural resources, and applied scientific research.
Throughout his training, he has combined theory and practice, gaining experience as a field assistant in biodiversity surveys, environmental monitoring, and environmental impact studies within the scope of the Professional Development Program at Holísticos – Serviços, Estudos & Consultoria.
He also worked as an assistant laboratory technician at the Lisima Foundation, developing essential technical skills for scientific research. He also participated in biodiversity projects promoted by the Kissama Foundation, in partnership with National Geographic.
An active volunteer with the Angola Elasmo Project since 2022, it was in this project that he consolidated his commitment to marine conservation, gaining direct experience in the field and deepening his understanding of the challenges of protecting elasmobranchs in Angola. This experience has been crucial in guiding his academic and professional trajectory.
With a proactive profile, Marcelino Calenga establishes himself as a young professional in training, committed to environmental solutions based on science, ecological responsibility, and social impact.
BRUNO CATRAIO
Voluntary
My name is Bruno de Novais Catraio. I am a responsible, dedicated person who is always interested in learning more. I strive to do my best in everything I do, working with respect, commitment, and a focus on personal and academic growth.
I am a fifth-year student of Marine Resources at the University of Namibe. I have been part of this project for 6 years and I believe I still have much to contribute, with the availability and motivation to continue for many more years.
MILENA JUSTINA VOTES
Volunteer
Milena Justina Vota is a Marine Biology student and has been collaborating with the Angola Elasmo Project for four years, where she has developed a continuous and dedicated involvement in marine conservation activities.
Fascinated by marine life and deeply motivated to participate in projects focused on protecting ecosystems, she finds in this mission one of her greatest sources of personal and professional fulfillment.
For Milena, actively contributing to the conservation of marine ecosystems represents not only a privilege, but also a responsibility as a future professional in the field.
Recognized for her dedication, sense of responsibility, and consistently positive attitude, she stands out as a committed and resilient volunteer. Her cheerful disposition, collaborative spirit, and ability to work in a team make her a constant and valuable presence in all Angola Elasmo Project initiatives, demonstrating a genuine and consistent commitment to the cause she has embraced.