Sharks And Rays Australia

02/06/2026

🚨 CALL FOR SARA FIELD TRIP ASSISTANTS! 🚨

Ever wanted to volunteer alongside marine scientists and Indigenous Land and Sea Rangers in some of the most remote, breathtaking parts of Australia? This is your chance for the experience of a lifetime. 🌊🦈
Sharks And Rays Australia (SARA) are officially opening applications for two upcoming 2026 expeditions! Both trips depart from Cairns and involve self-sufficient bush camping, rugged adventure, and vital conservation work. ⛺

Here is where we are heading:
🌊Expedition 1: Kowanyama (Mid-Gulf) | First two weeks of September 2026 for 12 days
Heading into the west coast of the Cape York Peninsula, we are returning for another year working closely with Traditional Owners and Rangers. This trip is highly exploratory, sampling untouched locations and tracking sawfish. Expect true outback bush camping and unsealed dirt-road adventures!

🌊Expedition 2: Rinyirru / Lakefield National Park (East Coast) | October 18–28, 2026
We’re teaming up with the Rinyirru and Laura Aboriginal Rangers to target sawfish and freshwater whiprays. The Laura region is famous for its ancient Aboriginal rock art (which features sawfish!). Spots are strictly limited to 2-3 assistants for this highly unique, collaborative team experience.

This could be you! > https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EmwoZ8C7-ME

🔔How to Apply:
Find full details on field site info, trip contributions/prices, past expedition videos, and how to apply here: https://www.sharksandraysaustralia.com/expeditions/

Don't just observe. Be part of it. This video gives you an idea of ...

01/06/2026

Calling Cairns locals! 🌊🦈

EcoFiesta is just around the corner, and Sharks And Rays Australia (SARA) will be there once again this year!
We’re looking for a crew of fun, engaging, and passionate volunteers to represent SARA at this awesome free community event.
If you love sawfish, have great people skills, and already know a bit about the vital work SARA does, we want you on our team for the day!

The Details:
📅Date: Sunday, 21 June 2026
⏰Time: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM (Must be available for the full day)
📍Location: Cairns, QLD.
🎟Entry: Completely Free!

How to join the crew:
📩Keen to join us? Send an email to hello@sawfish with a 1-page cover letter telling us why you want to volunteer with us.

🔔Note: If you haven't volunteered with SARA before, please also attach a brief CV so we can get to know you!

See you at EcoFiesta 2026! 🙌

25/05/2026

A fun and informative read for the next generation of shark lovers!

Australia’s Amazing Sharks by Australian Geographic showcases well-known and rare sharks, with detailed illustrations 🦈

This educational and beautifully designed book is perfect for young marine life enthusiasts eager to explore the diversity and wonder of the shark world!

19/05/2026

Did you know that we have merch?? 👀

🛒 Please note these items are made to order so will take a few weeks to arrive! 🛒

These are just some of the pieces that we have in the shop on our website! Each shirt features a unique print, raising awareness and sparking conversation around these beautiful, yet critically endangered animals.

Our Sawfish Spotter tees are especially useful for people living in areas inhabited by sawfish, helping encourage people to upload their sawfish sightings (recent and historical) to www.cytags.com

All designs are 100% cotton, available in a range of sizes and are priced at $45 each!

Get your hands on one of these fin-tastic designs at https://www.sharksandraysaustralia.com/product-category/clothing/

19/05/2026

How cool is this!

15/05/2026

Sawfish hold not only vital ecological significance in maintaining healthy marine ecosystems, but also deep cultural importance for many coastal and Indigenous communities at a global scale.

We highly recomend reading Ruth Leeneys article ‘Sawfish in Traditional Tales’ featuring insight into Anindilyakwa peoples of Groote Eylandt, Australia.

Read here via the link: https://saveourseasmagazine.com/sawfishes-in-traditional-tales/

12/05/2026

Genetics and conservation: Protecting wedgefishes in the Southwest Indian Ocean.
Two critically endangered species (bottlenose and whitespotted wedgefish) were studied using a dual genetic approach.

This study, led by Mia J. Groeneveld et al., highlights how genetics can be used to protect these species.
It identifies priority areas for conservation and supports monitoring efforts against illegal fin trade.

To learn more, check out the full paper at: https://doi.org/10.3354/esr01311

08/05/2026

Today is rhe last day of Sharks International 2026 in Sri Lanka. What an incredible conference! We also just took a keynote speaker group selfie 😊
I’d also like to feature the other keynote speakers in this post who all, with their teams and collaborators, work so hard to create positive change for sharks and rays and the local communities they work in! Thank you all for your passion and for allowing me to be part of this. Barbara

08/05/2026

We are so proud of our founder, director, and principal scientist, Dr. Barbara Wueringer, for her Plenary session this week at .international ! Being a keynote speaker at the world’s largest international shark, ray, and chimera scientific conference is a monumental achievement.

Share your congratulations in the comments! 👏🦈🎊

05/05/2026

Come and see us this week at .international !