Sharklab ADRIA

Sharklab ADRIA – Science for Sharks & Rays
Sharklab ADRIA is a research and conservation organisation dedicated to protecting sharks, skates and rays. Founded in 2008, it combines field exploration, laboratory research and education to improve our understanding of these vulnerable animals and develop practical approaches to their conservation. With a research base in Vlorë, Albania, its work focuses on the Adriatic Sea and the wider Mediterranean, where many species face pressure from fishing and habitat degradation.

What Happens After the Catch?
Releasing an accidentally caught shark or ray is only the beginning. Whether the animal survives can depend on injuries, capture stress and the way it is handled. Sharklab ADRIA investigates these often-overlooked consequences of fishing. Through assessments aboard vessels, rehabilitation in specialised tanks and clinical examinations, researchers study how animals respond to capture and recover from trauma. This knowledge helps inform measures to improve survival after release.

Exploring the Adriatic’s Hidden Wildlife
Many sharks and rays remain poorly understood, particularly those living in deeper waters. Sharklab ADRIA conducts research to document rare species, investigate their biology and identify the pressures affecting their populations. Its projects include studies of deep-sea sharks, critically endangered angelsharks and spiny butterfly rays. By gathering information on their distribution and potential nursery areas, the organisation helps build the evidence needed for more targeted protection.

Connecting Fieldwork with Laboratory Science
Understanding a threat requires looking beyond what is visible at the surface. Sharklab ADRIA combines field observations with diagnostic techniques, including radiology and tissue examinations, to investigate injuries and animal health. This approach connects individual cases with broader conservation questions: how fishing affects vulnerable species, which injuries animals can survive and how scientific findings can guide better management.

Working with Fishers and Local Communities
Fishers are important partners in understanding and protecting marine wildlife. Through cooperation, practical training and public engagement, Sharklab ADRIA shares knowledge about threatened species and encourages participation in conservation. Its educational work also brings students and early-career researchers into the field and laboratory, helping develop the skills needed for future marine conservation.

Knowledge That Supports Protection
Every observation, examination and collaboration adds to our understanding of sharks and rays. By turning that knowledge into conservation recommendations and practical training, Sharklab ADRIA works to give these animals a better chance of survival in the Adriatic and beyond.

Photo Credits by: ©Sharklab
https://sharklab-adria.org/