Dr. Jessica Quinlan is a marine scientist and founder of Fishers4Science whose work focuses on improving how shark fisheries are monitored and managed in Belize. She has conducted research in the region since 2017, working at the intersection of conservation science, fisheries data and local knowledge. She earned her Ph.D. in Biological Sciences from Florida International University, following earlier degrees in marine sciences.

Her research centers on developing practical tools to better understand shark populations and trade, particularly in regions where data are limited. She created the Anal Fin Monitoring Program, a cost-effective system that allows fisheries to collect critical landings data, and has advanced the use of environmental DNA to identify shark species and track their presence in marine ecosystems.

Her work has contributed to improving sustainability assessments for Belize’s shark fisheries and to developing molecular techniques that can detect protected species in the international fin trade, supporting more effective conservation and enforcement.

In the field, she works closely with local fishers to collect data and build long-term monitoring programs. By integrating scientific methods with on-the-ground knowledge, her research provides a clearer picture of how shark populations are changing and how fisheries can be managed more sustainably over time.

Through this work, she is helping to create a model for collaborative research that strengthens both conservation outcomes and coastal livelihoods in the Mesoamerican region.