About João Correia

As a Bachelor’s degree in Marine Biology (University of Algarve, 1994), a Master’s degree in Modulation of Marine Resources (Instituto Superior Técnico, 1997) and a PhD in Commercial Fishing of Sharks and Rays in Portugal (University of Aveiro, 2009). He received the award “Prémio do Mar Rei D. Carlos” for his PhD thesis.

Since a very young age, João has developed a special fondness for the sea, in particular for sharks. His professional career began in the Lisbon Zoo, where he was responsible for taking care of two sharks. Afterwards, he investigated sharks from the depths of the Portuguese coast at Instituto Português de Investigação Marítima. During the pre-opening of Oceanário de Lisboa and for the following eight years, João was responsible for the acquisition of all animals, including their capture.

He is the founder and general manager of Flying Sharks since 2006, an enterprise responsible for the transportation of live marine animals to the whole world and that provides consulting services. João also teaches at Escola Superior de Turismo e Tecnologia do Mar.

João has already published dozens of articles, book chapters and more than fifty scientific communications in international congresses, including two Best Presentation awards, one in 2012 in Chicago and another in 2013 in Bristol. He has already presented two TEDx talks and more than a hundred of presentations about sharks’ biology and their conservation. His life story is portrayed in a book trilogy entitled “Sex, Sharks and Rock & Roll”, written by him.