Exploring the Unknown: Shark Research in Angola with Ana Lucia Furtado Soares

Today's episode of the Beyond Jaws podcast delves into the Angola Project, a groundbreaking research initiative in Africa led by Ana Lucia Furtado Soares. Discover how this project started, Lucia's connections to Angola, and the research findings since 2016. Join hosts Andrew Lewin and Dr. David Ebert as they explore the fascinating world of shark science with a rising star in the field. Tune in to gain valuable insights Beyond Jaws.

Website: https://www.sharkproject.org/en/protection/angola-elasmo-project/

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Building trust and relationships with local communities is crucial for successful research in new areas. Ana Lucia Furtado Soares, a researcher working in Angola, emphasized the importance of gaining the trust of the local communities she works with. She highlighted the significance of understanding the culture, respecting the elders, and being patient with the local customs and way of working, especially when conducting research on sharks and rays, which are vital to the livelihoods of the fishers in the area.

Ana Lucia shared her experiences of working with the fishers in Angola, where she had to establish trust and rapport with them to collect data and conduct her research. Despite facing challenges such as uncertainty, lack of resources like electricity and water, and the need to adapt to the local conditions, she stressed the importance of being patient, understanding the local dynamics, and building relationships based on mutual respect and trust.

Her experiences in Angola underscore the importance of building strong relationships with local communities when conducting research in new areas. By gaining the trust of the community members, researchers can access valuable information, collaborate effectively, and ensure the success of their research projects. This trust is not only essential for conducting research but also for promoting conservation efforts and sustainable practices in the area.

In the episode, Ana Lucia Furtado Soares shares her experiences conducting research in Angola, a remote location with limited resources and infrastructure. One of the key challenges she highlights is the uncertainty that comes with working in such areas. From unreliable electricity to lack of access to basic facilities like generators, researchers like Lucia must learn to adapt to these challenges.

Lucia emphasizes the importance of patience and adaptability when working in remote locations. She mentions the need to dance to the local rhythm and be prepared for unexpected situations, such as waiting for hours for people to show up for a presentation or dealing with the absence of basic amenities like electricity.

Moreover, Lucia's experiences in Angola demonstrate the necessity of being open to different cultural practices and communication barriers. While Portuguese is the primary language in Angola, there are variations in dialects and language proficiency among the local population. Researchers must be willing to navigate these linguistic differences and find ways to effectively communicate with the community members.

Overall, the episode highlights the significance of embracing uncertainty and being adaptable when conducting research in remote locations. Researchers like Lucia demonstrate that success in such environments requires a willingness to face challenges head-on, be patient, and adjust to the unique circumstances of each location.

Appreciating and being grateful for the resources and facilities available in more developed countries is crucial when working in areas with limited resources. In the podcast episode, Ana Lucia Furtado Soares shared her experiences working in Angola, a country with challenges such as unreliable electricity and water supply. She highlighted the importance of adapting to the local conditions and being patient with the uncertainties that come with working in such environments.

Ana Lucia emphasized the need to appreciate the basic amenities that are often taken for granted in more developed countries. She mentioned instances where she had to work without electricity or faced challenges with communication due to lack of power. Despite these obstacles, she maintained a positive attitude and recognized the privilege of having access to resources that are not readily available in Angola.

The podcast also touched upon the cultural diversity in Angola, where different tribal languages are spoken in various villages. Ana Lucia mentioned that speaking Portuguese, the primary language in Angola, was essential for communication, especially with the older generation of fishers. This highlights the importance of language skills and cultural understanding when working in diverse communities with limited resources.

Overall, Ana Lucia's experiences in Angola underscore the significance of gratitude and appreciation for the resources and facilities available in more developed countries. It serves as a reminder to researchers and professionals working in challenging environments to approach their work with humility, adaptability, and a deep appreciation for the basic necessities that may not be readily accessible in the areas they are working in.