Pain In Sharks: Histology, Biomarker, and Brain Response
Project Leader
This project explores whether sharks experience pain beyond reflexive responses, aiming to deepen our understanding of their nervous systems. The findings could shift public perception and support stronger protections and welfare measures for sharks.
Understanding Pain in Sharks
This project seeks to answer a question that has sparked debate for years: do sharks actually feel pain, or are their responses just unconscious reflexes? While mammals are known to experience pain as both a physical and emotional reaction, it’s still unclear whether sharks possess this level of awareness. By studying the anatomy and physiology of shark nervous systems—especially how they process noxious stimuli—this research aims to uncover whether pain in sharks goes beyond basic nociception (a reflexive response to harm).
PROJECT LEADER
Carolina Hernandez Navarro
Carolina’s lifelong passion for animals led her to study veterinary medicine at the National Autonomous University of Mexico, where she quickly found her calling in marine life, especially sharks and rays. She began applying her veterinary skills to these species in aquarium settings, eventually earning a master’s degree from the National Polytechnic Institute, where she studied stress in giant manta rays.
Since then, she has brought veterinary techniques into the field, supporting various research projects involving wild sharks. Today, as a PhD candidate at the University of Auckland, Carolina is leading the groundbreaking project “Nociception in Sharks,” exploring how sharks perceive pain and contributing to a deeper understanding of their welfare.
Why It Matters
Understanding how sharks perceive pain could significantly shift public attitudes and influence how we treat these often-misunderstood animals. If proven, this awareness would strengthen the case for improved animal welfare standards and protection measures for sharks—both in the wild and in human care. With clearer scientific evidence, the project hopes to contribute to global efforts that promote more compassionate and informed conservation practices.
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