Lead scientist of Mao Mana Foundation, Kori Burkhardt, joined a team in New Caledonia, where a sudden rise in shark–human interactions prompted an urgent scientific investigation. Our mission centered on identifying the species involved, uncovering the environmental and behavioral factors driving the incidents, and evaluating how local human activity might be influencing shark movement and behavior. Through field surveys, tagging efforts, and close collaboration with New Caledonian communities, we worked to understand the true causes behind the island’s escalating encounters.

This mission took us to the rugged coastlines of New Zealand to investigate the powerful white sharks that patrol these waters. Our mission focused on tracking their movements, uncovering the ecological forces that draw them to key hotspots, and understanding how their behavior intersects with local marine activity. Through photo identification, drone surveys, and collaborative fieldwork with New Zealand scientists, we worked to reveal the true nature and energy of one of the ocean’s most iconic predators.

Our team attended the 8th International Bio-Logging Science Symposium (BLS8) in Tokyo, where we presented the latest findings from Project Parata on the movement ecology of oceanic whitetip sharks in French Polynesia. Throughout the week, we participated in specialized workshops and learned from global research leaders about cutting-edge biologging methods and other shark projects being conducted around the world. The symposium provided an essential platform to both share our work and strengthen international collaborations that support the future of shark conservation.

Lead MMF scientist Kori Burkhardt attended the IUCN Region 10 ISRA (Important Shark and Ray Areas) workshop in Fiji, contributing scientific data and field expertise to support the identification of critical habitats across the Pacific. Through presenting movement ecology, photo-identification, and behavioral findings from our long-term projects, she helped multiple ISRAs for French Polynesia gain approval—including the designation for tiger sharks in the Tuamotu Archipelago and oceanic whitetip sharks in the Society Islands.

Our team conducted the Baited Remote Underwater Video (BRUV) fieldwork for Global FinPrint 2 in Mo’orea, contributing high-resolution data on reef shark and ray communities across the island’s lagoon and outer reef slopes. By deploying standardized BRUV units at sites around the island, we helped generate comparable metrics of species presence, abundance, and habitat associations that feed into a global assessment of elasmobranch status. This effort not only strengthens the international FinPrint database but also provides valuable local insights into Mo’orea’s reef predator populations and ecosystem health.