Angola Project began as a graduate idea, but the real question is this: what happens when you turn a passion into your entire life? In this conversation, Ana Lucia Soares shares why she chose to leave stability in Portugal and commit full time to building shark conservation in Angola, and why that decision matters for ocean protection in underrepresented regions.

Shark conservation in West Africa is not simple, and that is exactly the point. Ana Lucia explains what it takes to launch Elizmo Angola, navigate funding uncertainty, create local partnerships, and build trust in communities where conservation infrastructure is still developing. This is not just about sharks; it is about leadership, risk, and long-term impact.

Starting an NGO sounds inspiring, but it is also deeply personal and emotionally demanding. One surprising insight from this episode is how clarity often comes not from certainty, but from stepping into uncertainty anyway. The move to Angola was not guaranteed to succeed, but waiting for perfect conditions would have meant never starting at all.

Listen to the full episode.

The Angola Elasmo Project: https://www.angolaelasmoproject.org/

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Dave:
Website: https://www.lostsharkguy.com/
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YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@lostsharkguy

Andrew:
Website: https://www.speakupforblue.com/
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Stereo BRUVs are transforming how scientists study sharks, yet most people have no idea how much we have been missing, and why that matters for conservation. In this episode, we talk with Dr. Kaylee Smitt about how underwater camera systems are uncovering sharks in places humans rarely go, changing what we think we know about abundance, behavior, and ecosystem health.

Shark research has long depended on divers, fishing surveys, and tagging, but those methods can miss species that avoid people or live deeper than we can reach. Kaylee explains how stereo BRUVs allow researchers to study sharks without baiting hooks or disturbing animals, giving a clearer picture of how sharks actually use their habitats.

Marine biodiversity takes center stage when Kaylee shares how this technology is being used beyond sharks, including in deep-sea environments where data is scarce. One surprising insight from the episode is how often sharks appear in places once assumed to be nearly empty, highlighting how limited human observation has shaped flawed assumptions about ocean life.

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South Africa Sharks sit at the heart of Louw Claassens' career, shaping how she understands conservation, risk, and public trust in science. South Africa Sharks frame this episode through one central question: how do you build a career protecting sharks in a country where fear, media pressure, and politics often overpower science? Louw shares how her path into shark conservation began, the challenges she faced early on, and why her work continues despite public backlash.

Shark conservation is not just a scientific pursuit, it is deeply personal work. In this conversation, Louw walks through her professional journey, from working on shark research and management to navigating emotionally charged debates around shark bites and public safety. One surprising and emotional insight from the episode is how often conservation decisions ignore the voices of the scientists closest to the work, even when those scientists are deeply embedded in local communities.

Living with sharks is the principle that underpins Louw Claassens' career and advocacy. She explains how her approach to shark management has evolved over time, why communication is just as important as data, and how helping people understand sharks can reduce fear more effectively than exclusion or lethal control. This episode offers a rare look at the human side of building a career in shark conservation under intense scrutiny.

Connect with us:

Website: https://bit.ly/37TMqeK
Instagram: https://bit.ly/3eorwXZ
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@beyondjawspodcast7591

Dave:
Website: https://www.lostsharkguy.com/
Instagram: https://bit.ly/3q1J9Q5
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@lostsharkguy

Andrew:
Website: https://www.speakupforblue.com/
Instagram: https://bit.ly/37g5WkG
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SpeakUpForBlueTV