Favourite papers?
Shidqi, R. A., Sari, D. R., Jeheskiel Alopen, Bang, Y. M., Igo Arianto, Primiaty N. S. Kopong, Vivekananda Gitandjali TD, Etoile Smulders, & Booth, H. (2025). Designing and evaluating alternative livelihoods for shark conservation: a case study on thresher sharks in Alor Island, Indonesia. Oryx, 1–12.
Kiesha Lara Venga
BSc - Marine Biology | James Cook University
Kiesha has recently completed her Bachelor of Science degree majoring in Marine Biology, and is currently a Research Associate in the Fish and Fisheries Lab working with Dr. Michael Grant. She completed her placement with the lab in 2025, creating outreach materials to support an upcoming field trip to Kalimantan, Indonesia, profiling river sharks and rays.
Outside the lab, she was the 2025 President of The FINstitute, a student-led shark conservation consortium at James Cook University, amplifying shark and ray conservation efforts in Australia and Indonesia through hosting talks and workshops, fundraising and collaborating with conservation initiatives.
Being from Malaysia, she is eager to continue learning and working in conservation in Southeast Asia, with particular interest in the human dimensions and livelihood-based approaches surrounding shark and ray fisheries management and conservation. Her work with the Lab continues to centre on science communication, creating outreach materials for additional projects, and supporting ongoing research and conservation efforts.
Projects include:
● Profiling river sharks and rays in Kalimantan, Indonesia
● Pursuing national protection of the Ganges Shark in Indonesia
● Community co-development of fishery guidelines for the Gulf Provincial Fish Maw Fishery
