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Ruth Leeney is a science communicator and researcher passionate about conserving the underwater world. She has a BSc (Hon) in Environmental Biology and a PhD in Zoology, both from University College Dublin, Ireland. Her work is currently focused on what she believes to be some of the biggest challenges facing humanity and the planet’s oceans – the loss of biodiversity, preventing bycatch (accidental capture in fisheries) of marine mammals, shark and other endangered marine animals, and developing meaningful conservation plans for developing countries.
In 2012, Ruth founded Protect Africa's Sawfishes to better understand the threats faced by highly endangered sawfishes in the developing world. She has collected information on sawfishes in nine countries and directly supported research efforts in three additional countries. Her findings have supported global sawfish conservation efforts by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Shark Specialist Group. |
Photo by Chris Scarffe
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Through her work in rural fishing communities, Ruth became interested in the challenges faced by rural fishing communities in the developing world, and the link between community well-being and the health of local marine environments. She recognises the importance of community involvement in conservation and management of endangered marine species like sawfish, and sees sawfish as an ‘umbrella species’ – if conservation strategies are developed in the right way, then many other species, habitats and even the livelihoods of coastal communities are also protected under the ‘umbrella’ of sawfish conservation.
Although trained as a biologist, Ruth’s approach has shifted in recent years to incorporate the development of effective communication of scientific and conservation messages to governments and communities in developing countries; developing conservation approaches at a local level which are practical, feasible and sustainable, and understanding how local changes in understanding and behaviour lead to long-term, effective conservation. Ruth is committed to conservation through communication, community involvement, collaboration and creativity.
Although trained as a biologist, Ruth’s approach has shifted in recent years to incorporate the development of effective communication of scientific and conservation messages to governments and communities in developing countries; developing conservation approaches at a local level which are practical, feasible and sustainable, and understanding how local changes in understanding and behaviour lead to long-term, effective conservation. Ruth is committed to conservation through communication, community involvement, collaboration and creativity.
Photo by David Morgan
Photo by Ruth Leeney / National Geographic
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Protect Africa’s Sawfishes Protect Africa’s Sawfishes was founded in 2012. The mission of Protect Africa’s Sawfishes is to prevent the decline of shark and ray populations in the developing world. PAS works towards this goal by:
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To date, Protect Africa’s Sawfishes has collected baseline data on sawfish populations in nine developing countries and advised researchers condicting studies in an additional five countries, thereby significantly increasing the scientific community’s understanding of where to focus research and conservation efforts for sawfish.
See the short educational film on sawfish conservation, written and co-produced by Ruth Leeney, for communities in Mozambique and Madagascar.
Watch a public presentation by Ruth Leeney, on the work of Protect Africa’s Sawfishes throughout Africa.
Photo by Chris Scarffe
How would your support help further Ruth's work
After five years of searching, Ruth has finally found live sawfishes in Papua New Guinea! Her research paper is available to read, here.
Ruth has also found strong evidence of the presence of sawfish in northwestern Madagascar. In this remote region, many fishers catch sharks and rays, and there is almost no monitoring or management of these fisheries to ensure their sustainability. Ruth aims to work with rural communities to develop alternative livelihoods, to reduce fishing pressure on endangered shark and ray species. Such livelihood alternatives may include tourism, small-scale farming, bee-keeping and even participating in research. As part of this work, an education programme will be essential, to ensure that communities understand how they can benefit from protecting their coastal and marine environments and species.
After five years of searching, Ruth has finally found live sawfishes in Papua New Guinea! Her research paper is available to read, here.
Ruth has also found strong evidence of the presence of sawfish in northwestern Madagascar. In this remote region, many fishers catch sharks and rays, and there is almost no monitoring or management of these fisheries to ensure their sustainability. Ruth aims to work with rural communities to develop alternative livelihoods, to reduce fishing pressure on endangered shark and ray species. Such livelihood alternatives may include tourism, small-scale farming, bee-keeping and even participating in research. As part of this work, an education programme will be essential, to ensure that communities understand how they can benefit from protecting their coastal and marine environments and species.
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If you would like to see Ruth continue her work and expand her work to new regions of the world where the sawfish is less well studied and in urgent need of protection, please make a donation. As capable as she looks, the sawfish needs your help. Specifically, your donation will go towards: an education programme, including educational materials; workshops and training for alternative livelihoods. If you would like to learn more please get in touch. |
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Women4Oceans is currently looking for sponsors to take W4O and Ruth's important sawfish work to the next level. If you want to be a sponsor please get it touch.
For the Ocean, Ruth & Farah
