The unknowns of sharks with Francesco Ferretti

Francesco Ferretti joined Virginia Tech’s “Curious Conversations” to talk about the state of shark populations worldwide and the knowledge gaps that challenge conservation strategies. Ferretti explained the role of sharks in the larger marine ecosystem, the challenges of gathering data on shark populations, and the role citizen scientists can play in overcoming that challenge.Ferretti is an assistant professor in the Department of Fish and Wildlife Conservation. His research interests include characterizing the history of human impact in the ocean to better understand how this has altered marine ecosystems and develop solutions for a sustainable use of marine resources. His research spans from macro-ecology to applied management and conservation with a special focus on sharks and their relatives.