Area of Study: sharks and rays

Sharks and rays are vanishing from our oceans—and the consequences are profound. In this powerful documentary series, Darwin200 Leader Vanessa Katafono from Fiji explores the global crisis facing these keystone species and the urgent conservation efforts needed to save them. During her Darwin200 placement in Australia, Vanessa partnered with the passionate, family-run NGO and marine education center Irukandji Shark & Ray Encounters. Located on Worimi Country, Irukandji is a leader in ethical marine conservation, combining rescue, rehabilitation, research, and community outreach to protect vulnerable species such as zebra sharks and rays. As Vanessa learns from Irukandji’s inspiring team, she delves into the many challenges sharks and rays face—from overfishing and bycatch to habitat destruction and climate change. The series highlights how combining traditional Pacific knowledge, scientific innovation, and grassroots education can help turn the tide for these ancient ocean dwellers. For Vanessa, this journey is deeply personal. In Fiji, sharks are considered sacred by many communities. Though once afraid of them, her first real-life encounter transformed that fear into awe and determination. Her story is one of growth, courage, and hope—a reminder that protecting nature often begins with one powerful moment of connection. Vanessa is a Marine Science student at the University of the South Pacific, currently completing her final year. Her studies span coral reef ecology, fisheries biology, marine geology, and Pacific ecological thinking, all grounded in hands-on fieldwork. She’s skilled in data analysis, population dynamics modeling, and GIS mapping. She previously worked with Think Pacific, leading student groups on themed programs in Fiji and Indonesia. Her passion for conservation began with a childhood encounter with a sea turtle—an experience that inspired her to bridge cultural values and science in protecting marine life. Now, through her Darwin200 journey, Vanessa brings a uniquely Pacific voice to global conservation, championing a future where ocean health and traditional heritage thrive together.