American Shark Researcher & Marine Conservationist

Jess Cramp

Jess Cramp is an American shark researcher and marine conservationist. She is passionate about stopping the overexploitation of sharks and the degradation of the ocean, and believes that fostering a lasting impact requires a comprehensive approach and local buy-in.

In 2011, while living in the Cook Islands, Cramp co-championed a grassroots campaign that resulted in the two million square kilometer Cook Islands Shark Sanctuary. Cramp is currently pursuing a Ph.D. through James Cook University while residing in the Cook Islands. She is studying the effectiveness of large-scale marine reserves on wide-ranging sharks. She also advises national governments, foundations and NGOs in marine reserve and fisheries policy in the Pacific and is the founder of Sharks Pacific—a nonprofit organization dedicated to shark and fisheries research, outreach, education and advocacy.