SAROB

Research Portal

Scientific monitoring • Bay of Bengal • Elasmobranchs

Advancing Elasmobranch Research in the Bay of Bengal.

A dedicated data platform for the systematic monitoring of Shark, Ray, and Guitarfish populations through precise morphometric and socio-economic tracking.

Access Data PortalOur Methodology

Biological

Morphometrics

Socio-economic

Market + Gear

Spatial

Catch Coordinates

Data Capture Snapshot

Morphometrics

  • snout_length: 12.4 cm
  • disk_width: 58.1 cm
  • clasper_hardness: calcified
  • pre_orbital_length: 4.9 cm

Fishing Metadata

  • gear_types: gillnet, longline
  • boat_categorization: mechanized
  • market_pricing: 6.2 (local units/kg)

Catch Location

catch_location: 21.4271, 91.9798

Structured records support reproducible life-stage inference, trade-impact analysis, and distribution mapping.

Core Research Pillars

Built for technical rigor from field to analysis.

SAROB captures biological measurements, fishing context, and spatial coordinates in a unified schema—supporting quality control, downstream analytics, and transparent reporting.

Morphometric Analysis

Tracks high-resolution biological fields such as snout_length, disk_width, clasper_hardness, and pre_orbital_length to support consistent life-stage classification and inter-site comparability.

Outcome: reproducible morphometrics → stronger inference.
Socio-Economic Insights

Captures fishery and trade metadata including gear_types, boat_categorization, and market_pricing to quantify landing dynamics and understand regional market pressures.

Outcome: evidence for policy, management, and interventions.
Geospatial Tracking

Uses precise catch_location coordinates to map species distribution across the Bay of Bengal—enabling hotspot detection, site comparison, and time-series spatial analysis.

Outcome: clearer distribution signals → better protection planning.

Lab & Partnerships

Field leadership, conservation alignment.

SAROB is grounded in regional expertise and conservation goals, connecting structured monitoring with actionable outcomes.

Accessibility & Flow

Prominent portal access is maintained across breakpoints, while external research links remain easy to reach and clearly labeled.

Bengal Elasmo Lab (Alifa Haque)

Leadership in regional marine biology and elasmobranch research, supporting structured monitoring and data quality in the Bay of Bengal.

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Save Our Seas Foundation

Supports the “MPAs for Sharks and Rays” project, aligning monitoring outputs with conservation planning and protection goals.

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Methodology note

The platform emphasizes traceable records, consistent field definitions, and downstream-ready exports to support auditability and collaboration across research teams.

Featured Publications

Latest research outputs from Bengal Elasmo Lab

2022sustainability
Test publication

Kazi Mainul Islam

Test Journal

DOI / Journal
2021PISCESGuitarfishIndian OceanNADH2 GENERayShark
New records of elasmobranchs in the Bay of Bengal, Bangladesh: further taxonomic research is essential

Alifa Bintha Haque, William Toby White, Rachel D. Cavangh, Aparna Biswas

Zootaxa, 5027 (2), 211–230

DOI / Journal
2021Coastal management
Socio-ecological approach on the fishing and trade of rhino rays (Elasmobranchii: Rhinopristiformes) for their biological conservation in the Bay of Bengal, Bangladesh

Alifa Bintha Haque, Mahi Washim, Nidhi Gloria D'Coasta, Amit Robert Barol

Ocean & Coastal Management

DOI / Journal
2021Artisanal FisheriesElasmobranch DiversityBay of BengalConservation Management
Evaluating artisanal fishing of globally threatened sharks and rays in the Bay of Bengal, Bangladesh

Alifa Bintha Haque, Rachel D. Cavanagh, Nathalie Seddon

PLOS ONE

DOI / Journal