Sharks International 2022 is coming to Europe

The fourth edition of the quadrennial conference is taking place in October 2022 in Valencia and stands on the shoulders of hugely successful previous events in Brazil (2018), South Africa (2014), and Australia (2010). In association with the European Elasmobranch Association and hosted by The Shark Trust, Submon, and Lamna, the world’s largest international shark conference will bring together a strong community of people from around the globe with interest in sharks, rays, and chimaeras, all in the name of addressing the challenges of chondrichthyan conservation. The conference is funded by The Save Our Seas Foundation and will be based out of L’Oceanogràfic, the largest aquarium in Europe, and streamed live across the world.

At its heart, the conference will be focused on working collaboratively to address the challenges of chondrichthyan conservation during the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021-2030). SI2022 will explore three essential tools in relation to conservation:

Research Communication Advocacy

SI2022 is different from previous years. Working across multiple time zones, the hybrid event will feature an in-person conference (October 20–22) and significant digital content on the SI2022 online portal, including professional development workshops from February 2022. Located in the avant-garde architectural complex of the City of Arts and Sciences, L’Oceanogràfic offers a stunning location on the Mediterranean Sea. As Sharks International’s first European destination, València is sure to impress!

Leading up to the physical conference, there will be five days (October 10–14) of digital content across various formats and subjects, fostering collaboration between the shark community across the diverse field of chondrichthyan conservation. However, the conversation starts much sooner than October 2022! The SI2022 portal is already bringing together the shark research, communication, and advocacy communities to explore what’s happening with sharks, rays, and chimaeras globally. Over three hundred people have already signed up to the SI2022 online portal, where they have been shaping the conference through community discussion.

As time goes on, the portal will also be hosting online sessions, including prospective presentation workshops, practical skills videos, and keynote speaker podcasts. Following these sessions, structured forum discussions and polls will enable the community to have their say, fostering inter-sector communication between the shark community across the world while helping develop an event that addresses the questions that really need answering.

If you are interested in sharks, rays, and chimaeras and want to be a part of the 300+ member community currently shaping SI2022, sign up to the portal at si2022.org and consider attending the event. Join this year to be automatically entitled to a 10% discount when tickets become available. Whether it’s in Valencia or online, SI2022 allows you to be part of the conversation going on inside the world’s largest international shark (ray and chimaera) conference.