Scientific research had not been my main occupation for some time, because I worked in the private sector and then in fundraising and management of multi-millions sustainable development projects. I always managed to keep a foot close to science.

I now mainly focus on sharks behaviour, but my PhD focused on sharks population genetics, and I helped many researcher in many ocean-oriented projects mainly around coral reef. I also work to develop projects linked with rewilding, artifical reefs and eco-conception, with in mind the aim to restore or help nature be as productive as it can.

Above: some of my early work on sharks, mainly in the Pacific Ocean (the tiger shark was found dead, I never killed any shark)

Above: example of Figures from my papers on sharks population genetics

In Fiji I created The Awakening Shark Dive, based on the concept I develop on the Serenity Project and working together with The Barefoot Collection from the island of Kuata. I recently published an article on bull shark personalities, and we are working with funds from EthoPredator to grow this research to new level. One way to do this is by supervising Jan’s PhD in a still ongoing success with many great results to be published soon. I also supervise other student’s work on other local projects such as coral or smaller sharks.

I am still the scientific and technical referent to everything that happens there underwater, from developing new techniques and equipment to adapting and improving everything we do.

Above: Working with bull sharks in Fiji, focusing on their personalities and consequences to management

In parallel I work with Blue Alliance, Marine Protected Areas as an advisor for research projects as well as for developing Eco-touristic approaches.

More recently I worked on the island of Mayotte as the Director of Operation for the PI2M project. We focus on sustainable development using tools such as research, innovation, and an extended network on both green and blue economy.

Left: at the economic forum of Mayotte — Right: with the french ministry of oversea territories

ResearchGate profile

Papers:

– Vignaud, T., Meyer, C., Séguigne, C., Bierwirth, J., & Clua, E. (2023). Examining individual behavioural variation in wild adult bull sharks (Carcharhinus leucas) suggests divergent personalities. Behaviour, 160(11-14), 1283-1301. https://doi.org/10.1163/1568539X-bja10244

– Séguigne, C., Vignaud, T., Meyer, C., Bierwirth, J., & Clua, É. (2023). Evidence of long-lasting memory of a free-ranging top marine predator, the bull shark Carcharhinus leucas. Behaviour, 160(11-14), 1303-1318. https://doi.org/10.1163/1568539X-bja10240

– Lesturgie, P., Braun, C. D., Clua, E., Mourier, J., Thorrold, S. R., Vignaud, T., Planes, S., & Mona, S. (2023). Like a rolling stone: Colonization and migration dynamics of the gray reef shark (Carcharhinus amblyrhynchos). Ecology and Evolution, 13, e9746. https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.9746

– Séguigne, C., Mourier, J., Vignaud, T., Buray, N., & Clua, É. (2022). Effects of a COVID-19 lockdown-induced pause and resumption of artificial provisioning on blacktip reef sharks (Carcharhinus melanopterus) and pink whiprays (Pateobatis fai) in French Polynesia (East-Pacific). Ethology, 128, 119–130. https://doi.org/10.1111/eth.13246

– E. E. G. Clua, C. Meyer, J. Linnell, S. Baksay, A. Haguenauer, M. Vely, T. Vignaud, S. Planes. (2022) Using genetic profiling for short and long term improved and eco-responsible management of shark problem individuals. https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-549718/v3

– Brunnschweiler, J. M., T. M. Vignaud, I. M. Côté, and A., Maljković. 2020. The costs of cohabiting: the case of sharksuckers (Echeneis naucrates) and their hosts at shark provisioning sites. Ecology101(12):e03160. 10.1002/ecy.3160

– Clua, E and Vignaud T. (2016) Possible collapse of reef shark populations in remote coral reef ecosystems in the Coral Sea (Western Pacific). Cybium 2016, 40(1): 51-59.

– Vignaud TM, Maynard JA, Leblois R, Meekan MG, Vázquez-Juárez R, Ramírez-Macías D, Pierce SJ, Rowat D, Berumen ML, Beeravolu C, Baksay S, Planes S (2014) Genetic structure of populations of whale sharks among ocean basins and evidence for their historic rise and recent decline. Molecular Ecology, 23: 2590–2601. doi: 10.1111/mec.12754

– Vignaud TM, Mourier J, Maynard JA, Leblois R, Spaet J, Clua E, Neglia V, Planes S (2014) Blacktip reef sharks, Carcharhinus melanopterus, have high genetic structure and varying demographic histories in their Indo-Pacific range. Molecular Ecology, 23: 5193-5207. doi: 10.1111/mec.12936

– Vignaud TM, Clua E, Mourier J, Maynard J, Planes S (2013) Microsatellite Analyses of Blacktip Reef Sharks (Carcharhinus melanopterus) in a Fragmented Environment Show Structured Clusters. PLoS ONE 8(4): e61067. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0061067