The committee comprises scientists based both in Ireland and abroad and also postgraduate students. They are elected for one year by the members of the group at the annual general meeting. The current committee was elected in August 2008.
President: Dr. Aaron Henderson
I have a broad interest in all aspects of elasmobranch biology and ecology, although most of my research in Ireland has focused on reproduction, feeding ecology and parasitology. At present, I’m a lecturer in the Department of Marine Science & Fisheries at Sultan Qaboos University in Oman, where I am also pursuing a number of research projects on the biology, ecology, and taxonomy of elasmobranchs in the Arabian Sea and Gulf of Oman.
Chairperson: Dr. Edward Fahy
Edward Fahy has worked with various state agencies and the government Department responsible for fisheries. He has research interests in the biology and exploitation of spurdog, blue shark and ray species in Irish waters.
Secretary: Dr. Edward Farrell
My research interests include understanding the effects of exploitation on the life-history and population dynamics of elasmobranchs in order to develop conservation and management strategies. I recently finished my PhD in University College Dublin where I studied the life-history and population structure of smooth-hounds (Mustelus spp.) in the Northeast Atlantic Ocean.
Treasurer: Sean Fitzpatrick
My research interests include population and conservation genetics of large pelagic sharks. One of the main objectives of my research is to better understand how genetic variation within the blue shark, a species with a circumglobal distribution. To this end, much of my time in the lab is spent developing and employing molecular methodologies such as microsatellite, AFLP and sequencing analysis to gain insights into population genetic structure and the evolutionary history of the blue shark.
Outreach Officer: Emmet Jackson
I have a broad interest in sharks but have specifically researched the rabbit fish (Chimaera monstrosa), a deepwater chondrichthyan and other deepwater sharks in Irish waters. My current role in the Irish Sea Fisheries Board has allowed me to work with the development of Technical Conservation Measures (TCMs) in Irish Fisheries. Measures such as adaptive trawling gear, escape and separator panels along with interactions between protected areas and fisheries are just some of the areas in which I am currently active.
