POV: The StAR Project has officially landed in Thailand — our second in-country program is now underway! 🇹🇭🦈

NEW BLOG 🦈✨ From citizen science to conservation action — take a behind-the-scenes look at what sparked StAR Project Thailand. Read our new blog post, “StAR Project Thailand Takes Shape,” written by Program Manager May Metavee Chuangcharoendee: reshark.org/blog/star-proj… 🇹🇭

Our nurseries in Raja Ampat just received 12 fresh eggs from the USA — incl contributions from Georgia Aquarium & our newest breeder, Minnesota Zoo! 🦈 The eggs are settling in well at our nurseries & we can’t wait to see them hatch & grow into the next generation of leopard sharks.

Discover the fin-tastic collaboration between EAZA and ReShark in their latest issue of Zooquaria! 🦈 🔗 Read more here: strapi.eaza.net/uploads/ZQ_126…

All eyes were on StAR Project Thailand at the recent Thailand Dive Expo (TDEX) 2025! 🇹🇭🦈 Fresh off the successful launch in Phuket, our team made waves with a jam-packed TDEX schedule, from fun games to inspiring main stage presentations.

Join us in celebrating #WorldOceansDay by marking the release of 17 new leopard sharks into the protected waters of Raja Ampat 🇮🇩 This officially kicks off our 2025 release season as we work toward our goal of 50 sharks released per year 🦈

On June 11, during the 2025 UN Ocean Conference in Nice, a major new effort will be launched — the Global Coalition to Halt the Extinction of Threatened Sharks and Rays. Learn more and support the Coalition at haltsharkrayextinction.org 🦈

Dr. Pinsak Suraswadi, Director-General of กรมทรัพยากรทางทะเลฯ & Metavee Chuangcharoendee, Program Manager for StAR Project Thailand, appeared on Thai PBS’s Wan Mai Variety to discuss the StAR Project's efforts to restore Indo-Pacific leopard sharks. 👉 Watch here: thaipbs.or.th/program/Wanmai…

A recent BBC News (UK) report highlights the outrage among the Indonesian community over the environmental toll of nickel mining in Raja Ampat — one of the most biodiverse marine ecosystems on Earth and home to the StAR Project. 🔗 Read more: bbc.com/news/articles/…

4 MORE LEOPARD SHARKS RELEASED AT KRI 🦈 Our RARCC team was joined by the students from Child Aid Papua, who helped with the releases. This time, we said goodbye to Kat-Bosley, Kambu, Yaswal, and Danea, now happily roaming the waters of Raja Ampat.

📍 Phuket Marine Biological Center As part of StAR Project Thailand, leopard shark pups from Aquaria Phuket are raised at PMBC. Once the pups are large enough, they are transferred to the sea pen at Maiton Island, where they continue to grow before their eventual release.

Dr. Mark Erdmann is ReShark’s first-ever Executive Director! 🦈🎉 He will also serve as Re:wild’s Shark Conservation Director. With 35 yrs of conservation leadership (incl the past 2 decades with Conservation Intl), Mark has built a powerful legacy. 🔗 reshark.org/leadership

Why was MAITON ISLAND chosen as the site for our StAR Project Thailand sea pen? 🦈🏝 ✅ Clear, calm waters ✅ Ideal depth (1–5 meters) ✅ Minimal human activity ✅ Thriving coral reefs ✅ Historic sightings of zebra sharks nearby

Day in the life of a StAR Project Thailand shark aquarist 🦈🇹🇭 From preparing diets and checking water quality to feeding and monitoring the leopard sharks — every step plays a vital role in getting them ready for release!

Our new Executive Director, Dr. Mark Erdmann, recently sat down for an in-depth conversation with Rhett Butler, Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Mongabay 🦈 🔗 Check it out: news.mongabay.com/2025/07/sharks…

Meet our incredible shark aquarists at StAR Project Thailand — not only are they experts in caring for endangered leopard sharks, they’re also skilled swimmers who can recognize each individual shark by sight (and personality)! 🦈🇹🇭

From boosting bamboo shark populations in Khao Lak to reintroducing endangered leopard sharks off Phuket through the StAR Project, conservationists are rewilding sharks in Thailand’s waters! 🇹🇭🦈 🔗 Read more on Mongabay: news.mongabay.com/2025/07/conser…

While global demand for shark fin is declining, stingray landings are rising fast! 🚨 Dr. Mark Erdmann warns that many stingray species cannot be harvested sustainably & should not be on the menu. 🔗 More on The Straits Times: straitstimes.com/singapore/envi…

Big milestone! 🦈🇹🇭 At Phuket Marine Biological Center (กรมทรัพยากรทางทะเลฯ), the first 3 juvenile leopard sharks have just received their acoustic tags. The tagging was done in collaboration with Dr. Paolo Martelli and Jessica Li from Ocean Park HK, together with the vets from กรมทรัพยากรทางทะเลฯ.

Dr. Paolo Martelli from Ocean Park Hong Kong recently visited PMBC to share his expertise with local veterinary and aquarist teams. As part of the StAR Project Thailand, he conducted hands-on training on how to safely tag the leopard sharks in preparation for their release.