Shark Historian & Conservationist

Shark Historian & Conservationist

Keith Cowley is a researcher, science artist and educator, deeply passionate about shark history and their future. For over 20 years he has recovered, prepared and preserved prehistoric sharks for exhibitions and private collectors. He has tracked down historical artifacts from around the world that detail the story of the shark culminating in his development of America's first shark history museum, Living Sharks Museum. To gain firsthand perspective over the years, Keith has taken part in shark research and conservation initiatives to be able to educate the public from his own experiences. As a shark historian and museum curator he aims to change the negative narrative that leads to the plight of sharks and give a stage to those working to protect them.

HIGHLIGHTS OF RELEVANT EXPERIENCE

From July 2014-Aug 2019 Keith Cowley worked as a NOAA contractor monitoring the intake of large pelagic species with a focus on sharks, in commercial and recreational fisheries including shark tournaments.
In 2015 Cowley publicly established Living Sharks Project, in partnership with Wild Animal Trust, to develop outreach initiatives and advocacy campaigns to decipher the science, politics and human impact of overfishing sharks worldwide. He worked with marine conservation organizations to enhance advocacy strategies, create designs and products to drive funding, while investigating the effectiveness of worldwide movements through online platforms and direct action.
In 2017 Keith Cowley opened Living Sharks Museum, America’s first shark history and conservation museum, located in coastal downtown Westerly, Rhode Island. The museum houses his extensive personal collection of shark history artifacts from around the world including comparative biological samples, prehistoric material, cultural pieces, science technology and an impressive display of Jaws film memorabilia.
In December 2019 Keith Cowley was named the Ocearch Education Ambassador for New England. Ocearch is a non-profit organization with a global reach on our ocean’s giants. Currently studying the NW Atlantic White Shark. He was also onboard M/V Ocearch for Expedition Nantucket and Expedition NASFA.
In 2020 during the pandemic Keith Cowley developed and hosted the web series “In the Fighting Chair”, interviewing shark conservationists, researchers, and entertainment personalities. Some featured guests included shark researcher Dr. Greg Skomal, shark conservationist Wendy Benchley, Peter Hammarstedt of Sea Shepard, Jaws screenwriter Carl Gottlieb, and Jaws production designer Joe Alves. The series concluded with a virtual reunion of the remaining cast and crew of the iconic 1971 white shark documentary Blue Water White Death, guests included Valerie Taylor, Rodney Fox, Stuart Cody, Peter Lake, Tom Chapin and Nick Caloyianis.

In May 2020 Keith Cowley came on board working under Steve Alten, author of the New York Time’s Bestselling MEG series, as Technical Advisor, Creature Concept Artist and Education Director: designing in part and consulting on all prehistoric and biological science details/continuity associated with the web series (Where Sea Monsters Roam) and interactive aquarium web experience Sea Monster Cove at Maug Island.
In May 2021 Keith Cowley joined the team at 333 Productions, working alongside underwater filmmakers Joe Romeiro and Lauren Romeiro as shark research crew aboard the R/V Warfish. The team works together to research and advocate for sharks through the use of non-invasive progressive techniques and technology. Cowley also worked his first gigs for Discovery Channel’s Shark Week with 333.
In July 2021 Keith Cowley was appointed to the Advisory Board with the Shark Research Institute (SRI) that conducts scientific research to bring a fact-based position to the table for shark conservation and protection since 1991.
In October 2022 Keith Cowley was invited to speak at Boston Sea Rovers on the history of sharks.