CSS Marine - Georgia Aquarium

The mission of the Center for Species Survival at Georgia Aquarium is to serve as a hub that facilitates species conservation efforts, focused on marine ecosystems, using the One Plan approach. The Center encompasses all research and conservation activities conducted by the aquarium.

Georgia Aquarium has a history of strength in marine research, especially for elasmobranchs (sharks and rays) and marine mammals. The establishment of a CSS at the Aquarium will strengthen efforts to translate this research into tangible species conservation outcomes. Staff at the Aquarium were intimately involved in the Global Shark Trends Project, which recently reassessed the Red List status of all extant sharks and rays. In light of this important work and the focus of other centers on Red List Assessments, an early focus will be more on conservation planning rather than assessments. The Aquarium will also focus on the Act part of the AssessPlan-Act cycle; it is a founding partner in the StAR Project, which seeks to restore vibrant populations of the zebra shark in Raja Ampat, Indonesia, as a model for ex-situ breeding of imperilled elasmobranchs.

Supporting the Species Conservation

While the CSS at Georgia Aquarium will have the capability to conduct Red List Assessments on marine species of interest, center staff will focus more on the Plan and Act parts of the Assess-Plan-Act cycle. The center will have a secondary focus on identifying areas of conservation interest for marine protected area advocacy and creation.

Meet our team

Alistair Dove
Alistair Dove

Director. Expertise: Executive functions, Elasmobranchs, Strategic Partnerships, Conservation Planning, WAZA & AZA liaison

Lisa Hoopes
Lisa Hoopes

Associate Director. Lisa is a feeding ecologist by training and specialises in elasmobranchs. She Co-Chairs the aquarium advisory committee of the IUCN Shark Specialist Group.

Katelyn Herman
Katelyn Herman

Conservation Specialist. Katelyn is an IUCN-trained Red List Officer and was a key participant in the Global Shark Trends Project that recently assessed the conservation status of all extant sharks and rays.

Conservation Specialist. Katelyn is an IUCN-trained Red List Officer and was a key participant in the Global Shark Trends Project that recently assessed the conservation status of all extant sharks ...

Dayne Buddo
Dayne Buddo

External Engagement. Dayne is a marine conservation biologist with expertise in invasive species management and the creation of protected areas.

Kady Lyons
Kady Lyons

Marine Biologist. Kady is an expert on the biology of sharks and rays.  

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Elaine Alberts

Project Coordinator. Elaine has a policy background but most of her current work coordinates field research activities. Expertise: Research logistics, Telemetry, Policy Advocacy.    

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Hannah Hardwick

Comms focal point Public Relations. 

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Jessica Fontana

Public Relations Director. Jessica directs public relations and communications efforts for Georgia Aquarium and its CSS.

CSS Annual Reports

Learn about the CSS's work and results.