Jess Cramp

Get up close with the most powerful predators in the ocean alongside shark researcher and National Geographic Explorer Dr. Jess Cramp, who aims to change the old narratives of these graceful icons.

Sharks have roamed the planet’s waters since before the dinosaurs and have evolved into more than 500 species. But only recently have we begun to understand their lives—and how our actions can threaten their survival. Dr. Jess Cramp taps into the National Geographic archives to discover the work of 20th-century women leading shark science and storytelling before she dives into her own cutting-edge research and conservation. Swim alongside her under the vibrant waters of the South Pacific to find out what it truly means to save sharks.

Dr. 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. 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.