Fight to Save an Endangered Giant

By: Marcelino Temiha Calenga

When I first enrolled in the Marine Biology program, I imagined that my connection to the ocean would be limited to books, scientific articles, and hours in the laboratory. I did not know that a single project would take me from classrooms to fieldwork, from theoretical concepts to conversations with fishers, and that it would transform my understanding of what it truly means to conserve.

The Angola Elasmo Project (AEP) became much more than a research project; it became a space where my academic knowledge came to life, gained purpose, and created tangible impact.

Awakening a Consciousness

As a student, I had always cared about marine biodiversity. But it was through the AEP that I clearly understood the vital role of sharks and rays in Angolan ecosystems and the silent urgency of their protection. Here, learning extended beyond textbooks:

In the field: observing, recording, and experiencing the ecosystem’s dynamics.In the laboratory: analyzing data that tell a real story about our fauna.In the community: exchanging knowledge with fishers and market vendors, the true experts of our sea.

This immersion taught me that catch numbers are not just statistics—they represent livelihoods, traditions, and a crucial starting point for dialogue.

The Heart of Conservation: Science, Education, and Community

My daily work in the project shattered a common myth: conservation is not only about species, it’s about people. I learned that protecting elasmobranchs means generating applied science that speaks the language of local reality, educating and raising awareness within communities, and building bridges between academic knowledge and traditional wisdom—while considering the social and economic factors that influence ocean health.

Peixeira local prepara peixe para posterior salga e secagem. Foto | Bernardo de Abreu Cotrim

An Impact That Shapes the Future

I must admit, the AEP changed my path. It influenced my academic choices, sharpened my sense of responsibility as a future professional, and clarified the direction I want to take. Today, I see this project as a pillar of my identity. It is where purpose meets action, science aligns with commitment, and my passion for biology transforms into a tool for change.

By uniting science, education, and community engagement, the AEP not only collects unprecedented data on Angolan elasmobranchs but also demonstrates that coexistence between humans and elasmobranchs is possible—and that human and fisheries development can indeed go hand in hand with conservation.

More Than a Project, a Legacy

For me, participating in the Angola Elasmo Project is much more than an academic experience. It is an active contribution toward a more conscious and sustainable future for Angola’s oceans. It is a lesson that true conservation begins with respect for the ecosystem and all the lives that depend on it.

Marcelino Temiha Calenga