CURRICULUM VITAE

Ravi Ranjan Kumar

Ph.D. Research Scholar Reg. no. R34403 Dept. of Ocean Studies & Marine Biology Pondicherry University Port Blair Campus Andaman & Nicobar Islands – 744112 Contact No. +919531849608 Email: [email protected] Website: http://www.smrcindia.in/ : http://www.reefindia.com/

Ph.D. Registered in August 2013 from Pondicherry University, India, area of Research concentrates on Taxonomy, distribution diversity of chondrichthyans (sharks, Skates & Rays) of Indian EEZ around Andaman and Nicobar Islands. M.Sc. in Marine Biology (First class), from Pondicherry University, India (2011-2013). B.Sc. in Fisheries Science (First class), from Bihar University, Muzaffarpur, India (2008-2011). Onboard experience of 64 days in FORV Sagar Sampada for deep sea Chondrichthyans (Shark, Skates, Rays & Chimaeras) collections around Andaman and Nicobar waters. Field observation & data collection: More than 4 years of experience in chondrichthyan data collection from onoboard fishing vessels, fish landing centers and fish markets around Andaman Islands in the Indian EEZ. PUBLICATIONS  First report of four deep-sea chondrichthyans from Andaman waters, India with an updated checklist from the region. (Submitted). Acta ichthyologica et piscatoria (2017).  Taxonomic notes on Sicklefin weasel shark Hemigaleus microstoma (Bleeker, 1852) (Carcharhiniformes: Hemigaleidae) from Bay of Bengal, Indian EEZ. (Submitted). Journal of applied ichthyology (2018).  New biogeographic data and DNA barcodes for the Indian swellshark, Cephaloscyllium silasi (Talwar, 1974) (Elasmobranchii: Carcharhiniformes: Scyliorhinidae), from Andaman Waters. Acta ichthyologica et piscatoria (2016).  First report of magnificent finback catshark Proscyllium magnificum, Last and Vongpanich, 2004 (Proscyllidae: Carcharhiniformes) from the Indian EEZ. World journal of fish and marine science (2015).  First incidence of three sharks of Andaman Islands, India. Journal of Andaman Science Association (2016). PAPER PRESENTED IN CONFERENCES  Species composition and spatial distribution of sharks and rays of Andaman waters.  Incidental catch composition of deep sea trawler catches from Andaman waters.  Deep-sea chondrichthyan composition and abundance in Andaman waters, Indian EEZ - preliminary results based on exploratory survey.  Species composition and biology of elasmobranchs from South Andaman – A preliminary study.  A study on the species composition of Rays (Order: Myliobatiformes) from the landings at Junglighat fish landing centre and from onboard commercial trawler. BEST POSTER AWARD  Deep-sea chondrichthyan composition and abundance in Andaman waters, Indian EEZ - preliminary results based on exploratory survey.  A study on the species composition of Rays (Order: Myliobatiformes) from the landings at Junglighat fish landing centre and from onboard commercial trawler. Signature Date: 23rd February 2018

Ravi Ranjan Kumar

MOTIVATION LETTER TO ATTEND THE SHARK INTERNATIONAL 2018

Andaman and Nicobar Islands is one among the large oceanic archipelago systems of the world, located between latitude 6 ͦ - 14 ͦ N and Longitude 92 ͦ - 94 ͦ E in the southern reaches of Indian Ocean. About 28% of India’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ 0.6 million km2) falls under the territorial jurisdiction of these islands encompassing 1,192 km coastline (comprising 572 islands) with an estimated continental shelf area limited to 16,000 km2. Chondrichthyans (Sharks, Skates, Rays and Chimaera) landings have shown declining trend due to directed fishing and bycatch. Knowledge on chondrichthyan diversity and distribution from waters around Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India is limited and less studied compare to other part of the region. These apex predators are particularly vulnerable to fishery bycatch due to their unique life history traits including low fecundity, slow growth, late age at maturity and large size. The issue of fisheries impact till date was primarily been investigated in coastal fisheries and very little attention has been given to assess the extent of elasmobranch exploitation and bycatch. The accurate species identification in the elasmobranch fishery is essential for reliable catch data and to elucidate the confusion in choosing the right species for exploitation. So, studies on this vulnerable group needs more attention to explore more detailed information from the present region. Accurate information on species identification, catch composition, fishery data and stock assessment need to be undertaken to define management actions for the sustainable use of elasmobranchs. Thus, chondrichthyans research is limited in the region despite its rich diversity, long history and huge fishery. An impediment to chondrichthyans research in Andaman & Nicobar Islands is due to lack of comprehensive studies and conclusive output. However, understanding difficulties in diversity, species composition and biological traits I have undertaken a baseline attempt to support chondrichthyans fauna in Andaman waters which can be considered for global database to assess Redlist data for IUCN. Presently, I am doing my Ph.D. on Taxonomy and Distribution of chondrichthyans in Marine Biology from Pondicherry University, India. I have my special interest to study on this vulnerable group from the waters around Andaman and Nicobar Islands. It will be a great opportunity if I could attend upcoming shark international conference 2018, so that I can learn, update my knowledge from global researcher and apply latest approaches in my present research to understand the status of chondrichthyans off Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

Date: 23rd February 2018 Ravi Ranjan Kumar

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