Article featuring the project.
Segun Olayinka Oladipo
Other projects
15 Jan 2021
Distribution, Conservation Status and Environmental Correlates of a Poorly Known and Most Threatened Stingray (Fontitrygon margarita) in Nigeria
17 Jan 2023
Intensifying Conservation Actions for the Protection of Red List Threatened Stingrays in Nigerian Lagos Lagoon
The project originates from a critical recognition of the risky situation facing indigenous stingray species in Nigerian waters. Despite previous RSG projects' efforts to document their presence, understand their socioeconomic importance and engage local communities in conservation awareness, the alarming reality persists in that many of these species are rapidly disappearing in some locations, with some classified as Endangered, Critically Endangered, or Data Deficient by the IUCN. Understanding the urgency of the situation, a swift approach is necessitated.
A stingray. ©Edah Benard.
Drawing on the insights of Januchowski-Hartley et al. (2018), emphasizing on creativity as the generation of original and useful ideas, my team and I see an opportunity to develop innovative community-based conservation strategies. These strategies will focus on improved management of stingrays through effective communication, education, and engagement with local stakeholders. The project aims to bridge the gap between scientists and local communities leveraging on our previous RSG projects documented indigenous knowledge of various stingrays that aided community-based conservation in Lagos Lagoon, Nigeria. The objectives of this project are to (a) create citizen science monitoring group for data collection, (b) use scientific studies to highlight key conservation areas, (c) engage in science education programs in two local schools and (d) create conservation-related stories about stingray using social science survey.
Header: At the ocean bank. ©Damilola Ajayi.