"There is no comparison between that which is lost by not succeeding, and that which is lost by not trying " - Francis Bacon

Jess Cramp is a shark researcher who specializes in conservation policy and engaging communities in the management of their ocean. Jess co-championed a grassroots campaign that resulted in the Cook Islands Shark Sanctuary in 2012, an area exceeding 770,000 square miles. Jess has since advised communities, national governments and international organizations on conservation policy, led marine research expeditions through various island nations, and mentored local youth interested in science. She is the founder and executive director of Sharks Pacific, a non-profit organization that conducts research, outreach and advocacy throughout the Pacific Islands region. Her work focuses on improving fisheries management, human-wildlife conflict prevention, community empowerment, and the development of policies that consider people and the environment in equal measure. She received her PhD from James Cook University in Australia. An accomplished speaker, Jess was named a National Geographic Emerging Explorer in 2015 and an AAAS If/Then Ambassador in 2019.