The Whole Tooth

This week on the World of Sharks podcast we are meeting Ana Lúcia Furtado Soares, founder of the Angola Elasmo Project - a grassroots initiative focussed on the research and conservation of sharks and rays along the Angolan coast – to discuss the joys and challenges of building a project from scratch, working with data-poor fisheries and the importance of empowering local voices. Shownotes: www.saveourseas.com/worldofsharks/podcast  You can follow the Angola Elasmo Project on Instagram (angola.elasmoproject) and find out more about the project here:  https://saveourseas.com/project/documenting-shark-diversity-and-fisheries- in-angola/ https://saveourseas.com/project/the-angola-elasmo-project/ https://saveourseas.com/project-leader/ana-lucia-furtado-soares/ You can find out more about the Save Our Seas Foundation on instagram (@saveourseasfoundation), Facebook (Save Our Seas Foundation), Bluesky (@saveourseas.bsky.social) or by heading to www.saveourseas.com.

The trade in shark liver oil is an invisible threat to sharks. Not only is there limited research on the topic, but liver oil is notoriously difficult to track and trace. Enter Dr Madeline Green, molecular fisheries ecologist and Principle Investigator of the Forensic Fisheries Lab at the University of Tasmania. Madi is working to apply protocols from the tracing of olive oil to extract DNA from shark liver oil samples, in order to identify species and help monitor this complex trade. In this episode, we learn all about Madi's research, and how the trade in liver oil is presenting a significant threat to deep-water sharks.  You can follow Madi on Instagram: @madigreenmarine and find more information about her research here: https://discover.utas.edu.au/Madeline.Green https://saveourseas.com/project-leader/madeline-green/ https://saveourseas.com/project/using-dna-to-identify-the-sharks-in-squalene-products/ https://saveourseas.com/project/shark-share-global/ Shownotes: www.saveourseas.com/worldofsharks/podcast Find out more about the Save Our Seas Foundation (SOSF) by following @saveourseasfoundation (Instagram and TikTok), @SaveOurSeas (X/Twitter) and @saveourseas.bsky.social (BlueSky)  

Spiral intestines! Curly poop! A shark that eats plants! And…turning your stomach inside out because you ate something dodgy?! In this episode we explore the ins and outs of a shark's digestive system with animal physiologist Dr Samantha Leigh (@sea_science_sam), an expert in all things shark gut. We learn how a shark's digestive system is designed for maximum efficiency, the different ways in which they ingest their hugely diverse diets, and how some sharks are able to survive weeks – sometimes months – without a meal. We also take a deep dive into Dr Leigh's research on the bonnethead – a shark known to chow down on seagrass – and her recent SOSF-funded project, which is using the shark spiral intestine as a model to address one of our greatest environmental conundrums: the removal of microplastics. You can follow along with Dr Leigh's work and lab here: https://samanthacleigh.weebly.com/ Shownotes: www.saveourseas.com/worldofsharks/podcast Find out more about the Save Our Seas Foundation by following: @saveourseasfoundation (Instagram and TikTok), @SaveOurSeas (X/Twitter) and @saveourseas.bsky.social (BlueSky).

Why swim when you can just walk from a to b?! This week, we are taking a closer look at the "walking" or epaulette sharks, a group of nine species who have evolved a slightly unusual way of getting around. We're joined by Faqih Akbar Alghozali, co-founder of Elasmobranch Project Indonesia (EPI) and SOSF project leader, who has lots of stories to share from his time in the field with the Kalabia, or Raja Ampat epaulette shark. Faqih and his team are trying to understand more about this poorly studied species, who are endemic to this remote paradise.  Shownotes: www.saveourseas.com/worldofsharks/podcast You can find out more about the EPI here: https://elasmobranch.id or follow them on Instagram (@elasmobranchid). You can learn more about Faqih's work here: https://saveourseas.com/project-leader/faqih- akbar-alghozali/ or follow him on Instagram (@faqihbig) Find out more about the Save Our Seas Foundation: @saveourseasfoundation (instagram), @saveourseas.bsky.social (Bluesky), @SaveOurSeas (X/twitter)  

Join us for a slightly different easter egg hunt, as we go in search of shark eggcases! From tiny catshark eggcases no bigger than your index finger, to a skate that lays eggs larger than your head and even an egg that looks (and functions) like a corkscrew - we explore them all with Cat Gordon, Senior Conservation Officer for The Shark Trust. And, we learn about one of the longest running citizen science projects for sharks, rays and skates: The Great Eggcase Hunt.  You can find out more about The Great Eggcase Hunt and how you can get involved here: https://www.sharktrust.org/greateggcasehunt And follow The Shark Trust on social media: The Shark Trust (facebook) @thesharktrust (instagram) @SharkTrustUK (x/Twitter) Shownotes: www.saveourseas.com/worldofsharks/podcast.  Save Our Seas Foundation (SOSF): @saveourseasfoundation (instagram), @saveourseas.bsky.social (Bluesky), @SaveOurSeas (X/Twitter)  

In this episode, we are exploring the ‘sixth sense' of sharks – electroreception! We are joined by sensory biologist and shark elasmobranch expert Dr Stephen Kajiura, Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at Florida Atlantic University (FAU) to discuss how sharks are able to detect minute electrical signals and use this sense to pinpoint prey with mind-blowing accuracy. We also get deep into functional morphology, zooming in on the Ampullae of Lorenzini and the unique morphology of the hammerhead. And, we chat about how electroreception doubles up as a kind of internal shark sat nav, helping them to navigate entire oceans without any landmarks to speak of.  You can follow Stephen's lab and research by heading to www.elasmolab.com or by following @sharkmigration on social media.  Shownotes: www.saveourseas.com/worldofsharks/podcast. Find out more about us by following @saveourseasfoundation (instagram and tiktok), @SaveOurSeas (X/Twitter) and @saveourseas.bsky.social (Bluesky)

How do sharks learn to be a shark? Do they really eat their siblings? Is there such a thing as a shark teenager? How do sharks find a mate? And what happens when they reach old age? In this episode, we answer all these questions and more as we embark on a true deep dive into the lives and life histories of sharks, with elasmobranch expert and SOSF Scientific Advisor Dr Dean Grubbs! Dean is Associate Director of Research for the Florida State University Coastal and Marine Laboratory (https://marinelab.fsu.edu) - @FSUmarinelab.  Shownotes for this episode: www.saveourseas.com/worldofsharks/podcast You can find out more about the Save Our Seas Foundation on socials -  Instagram and TikTok: @saveourseasfoundation X/Twitter: @SaveOurSeas Bluesky: @saveourseas.bsky.social

The shark meat trade is a multi-billion dollar industry. But it receives relatively little attention, and remains understudied. This week, we sit down with conservation scientists Dr Divya Karnad and Dr Trisha Gupta, who have collaborated on research that aims to better understand the drivers and complexities of this trade. Using India as a case study, they are looking for ways to encourage more responsible and sustainable actions at all stages of the supply chain – from source to consumer. The papers mentioned in this episode are: Karnad, D., Narayani, S., Kottillil, S., Kottillil, S., Gupta, T., Barnes, A., Dias, A. and Krishna, Y.C., 2024. Regional hotspots and drivers of shark meat consumption in India. Conservation Science and Practice, 6(1), p.e13069. Gupta, T., Karnad, D., Oyanedel, R., Booth, H., Abhiram, T., Gaonkar, H. and Milner-Gulland, E.J., 2025. Identifying leverage points for sustainability in India's shark supply chains. Marine Policy, 173, p.106580. You can find out more about InSeason Fish here: https://www.inseasonfish.com/ or on Instagram (@inseasonfish) You can follow Trisha on Instagram (@trisha0405), twitter (@Trisha_0405), and Bluesky (@trisha04.bsky.social). You can also find the shownotes for this episode, and much more sharky fun over at www.saveourseas.com/worldofsharks      

You asked for more episodes on lesser known or slightly more obscure species - so we're kicking off a new season with a whole episode devoted to just that! Host Isla and special guest, scientist and science communicator Kristian Parton (host of the Shark Bytes Youtube channel) challenge themselves to discuss species and sharky facts that even the most enthusiastic of shark nerds might not have heard of. How about a shark that wags it's tail, or one with glow in the dark armpits? Ever heard of a shark with social anxiety? Or, did you know that venomous sharks exist?? Along the way, we find out how NASA is connected to the largest fish in the ocean and why nurse sharks are unexpectedly good entertainers... You can catch up on Shark Bytes here: https://www.youtube.com/@SHARKBYTES or follow Kristian on Instagram (@KJparton) and twitter/X (@SharkBytes1994). You can find out more about the Save Our Seas Foundation by heading to www.saveourseas.com, and find all previous episodes and shownotes for the podcast here: www.saveourseas.com/worldofsharks/podcast You can also find us on social media: Instagram and TikTok: @saveourseasfoundation X/Twitter: @SaveOurSeas Bluesky: @saveourseas.bsky.social    

Dive into the wonders of South Africa's kelp forests on this special episode of World of Sharks. Join us as we head beneath the waves with marine biologist and SOSF project leader Dr Jannes Landschoff, who has dedicated much of his working life to understanding the unique and vast habitat that is the Great African Seaforest. As the only forest of giant bamboo kelp in the world, the seaforest stretches from the rocky shores of Cape Town, South Africa, to the coastline of Namibia. It is home to an astonishing diversity of species – from minute invertebrates invisible to the naked eye, to sharks of all shapes and sizes. In this episode, we accompany Jannes on a dive into the kelp to see what we can find, and learn all about the 1001 Seaforest Species project, which Jannes co-leads with founder of the Sea Change Project Craig Foster.  You can find out more about the 1001 Seaforest Species project here:  https://saveourseas.com/project/1001-seaforest-species/ and the Sea Change Project here: https://seachangeproject.com/. Instagram: @seachangeproject, @jannes_landschoff. Shownotes: www.saveourseas.com/worldofsharks/podcast You can also find out more about the Save Our Seas Foundation (SOSF) by following us on social media: @saveourseasfoundation       

We know that globally, sharks and rays are in trouble. But just how bad is it? And can we still do something about it?  In this special bonus episode of World of Sharks, host Isla sits down with chair of the IUCN SSC Shark Specialist Group (IUCN SSC SSG), Rima Jabado, and program officer of the IUCN SSC SSG Alexandra Morata to discuss their latest report The Global Status of Sharks, Rays and Chimaeras. This pivotal document compiles the knowledge of over 350 experts from 115 countries and stresses the urgent need to address the major threat facing sharks and their relatives across the globe: overfishing. But, it also highlights some beacons of hope. With the right protections and management measures, populations can recover - but for that to happen, we need action now.  You can read the full IUCN SSC SSG report here https://www.iucnssg.org/-the-global-status-of-sharks-rays-and-chimaeras.html  You can follow the work of the IUCN SSC SSG on instagram (@iucnshark).  For a summary and infographics of the report, you can also visit https://saveourseas.com/the-iucns-report-on-the-global-status-of-sharks-rays-and-chimaeras-a-crisis-but-there-are-solutions/ or follow @saveourseasfoundation on instagram and @SaveOurSeas on X/Twitter.             

Sadly, us humans can't spend every hour in the ocean staring at sharks (unfair, right?!). But do you know what can? Robots. UNDERWATER robots. In today's episode, we are diving into the super cool world of ocean tech with research scientist Martina Lonati! Martina seeks to understand how new technologies, like Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs) can help fill in the gaps in our sharky knowledge, such as what they get up to at night, and who's hanging around in the deep... You can follow Martina on Instagram (@martipermare) or by heading to these links:  https://aims.jcu.edu.au/our-people/students/martina-lonati.737/ https://www.fishandfisheries.com/ https://saveourseas.com/project-leader/martina-lonati/ You can also read her latest publication, ‘Novel use of deep neural networks on photographic identification of epaulette sharks across life stages' here: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/jfb.15887   Shownotes for this episode: www.saveourseas.com/worldofsharks/podcast You can also follow us on social media, we are @saveourseasfoundation on instagram and @SaveOurSeas on x/twitter!

There is a place where the largest and most powerful river in the world meets the Atlantic ocean, and one of the most threatened species of elasmobranch - the largetooth sawfish - finds one of its last refuges on earth. In this episode of World of Sharks, we are joined by shark scientist and conservationist Dr Patricia Charvet, who has dedicated her life to understanding and protecting sharks and rays in her home country of Brazil. We discuss why the Amazonian coast is such a special place, the astounding diversity of sharks and rays that live there, and why Patricia's passion for the weird, wonderful but Critically Endangered sawfish. We also discuss Patricia's current SOSF-funded project (co-led with Dr Vicente Faria), which seeks to confirm the region as one of the last strongholds for this species, and works across fisheries, government and law enforcement agencies to raise awareness and encourage support for sawfish, and tackle the illegal trade of sawfish products.  You can follow Patricia on Instagram (@patricia.charvet, @amazoniancoastsawfish) and X/Twitter (@PatriciaCharve2, @amcoastsawfish).  You can also find out more about her project here: https://saveourseas.com/project/conserving-largetooth-sawfish-on-the-amazonian-coast/ Shownotes: www.saveourseas.com/worldofsharks/podcast  

When life gives you lemon sharks...make a podcast about them! This week we are answering a request by listener Charlie to devote an episode entirely to warm-water loving Negaprion brevirostris, the lemon shark. And to help us learn everything there is to know about them is marine biologist, educator, author and founder/president of Sharks4Kids, Jillian Morris-Brake, who has a lot of experience with this species and even describes them as her favourite shark! Expect a journey into the mangrove forest to meet the baby sharks that live among its tangled roots, with detours into shark yoga, social behaviour, and fish bellybuttons... You can follow Jillian on social media (@biminisharkgirl) and Sharks4Kids (@sharkeducation). You can also find out more about the non-profit and how to get involved here https://www.sharks4kids.com/ and find out more about Project Lemon Aid here https://www.sharks4kids.com/lemon-shark-research Find the shownotes for this episode here: www.saveourseas.com/worldofsharks/podcast Come say hi to us! You can find us on socials: @saveourseasfoundation (instagram) and @SaveOurSeas (x/twitter)

Thinking of a career in shark science and conservation? Struggling to find your niche? Found your niche, but trying to advance in your field? Or wondering what on earth to write in that email to the person you admire?  We're back with another special episode dedicated to careers with sharks and the ocean. For the last year, we've asked each podcast guest to share their advice and own experiences to help you on your journey. From tips and tricks for writing grants and developing your research interests, to starting your first book, working with collaborators, getting into science communication, and even what to do when you feel stuck in a career rut - there's something for everyone.  You can find the shownotes for this episode, along with additional resources and links, here: www.saveourseas.com/worldofsharks/podcast.  You can also follow us for updates on our grants and fellowships. We are @saveourseasfoundation on instagram, and @SaveOurSeas on X/Twitter. 

“Conservation is not drones and DNA samples or pamphlets or computers. It is people, and we should be investing in those people.” In this episode of World of Sharks, we sit down with fisheries scientist, director of the Fish and Fisheries Lab at James Cook University and Save Our Seas Foundation Scientific Advisor Dr Andrew Chin to discuss the challenges and realities of shark conservation and management, and how we can support the people working on the ground to make the ocean a better place.  Key time stamps: 5.47: Andrew's early career and swimming with reef sharks 15.43: Sharks of the South Pacific 23.21: Citizen Science 28.27: The importance of feedback and long-term relationships with stakeholders 33.18: Shark Search Indo Pacific 38.31: Conservation in practice and capacity building 46.00: Support for people in the field Links Andrew: @spinnershark7 Fish and Fisheries Lab: (https://www.fishandfisheries.com) Shark Search Indo-Pacific: (https://www.sharksearch-indopacific.org/). SOSF Conservation Fellowships: https://saveourseas.com/grants/funding-applications/conservation-fellowship Dan Pallotta's TED talk: https://www.ted.com/talks/dan_pallotta_the_way_we_think_about_charity_is_dead_wrong?subtitle=en You can also find an accessible summary of this episode and more information here: www.saveourseas.com/worldofsharks/podcast    

It's the one you've all been waiting for…we're going back in time to meet the largest shark to have ever existed: Otodus megalodon. Growing up to twenty metres long, with teeth as large as a human hand and jaws that could fit you and a friend (with some room to spare), this apex superpredator continues to capture our attention, despite having been extinct for at least 2.6 million years. But what is the truth behind this gigantic fish? Were they just a beefed-up white shark, or did they look completely different? How did they sustain themselves? Why did this apex superpredator cease to exist, and what did that mean for the prehistoric marine ecosystem? We talk about all of this and so much more with Dr Jack Cooper, paleobiologist and expert in prehistoric sharks! Shownotes: www.saveourseas.com/worldofsharks/podcast Follow Jack on X/Twitter (@cooperpaleo) and check out his most recent publications here: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=C2zxEm4AAAAJ&hl=en. You can also find out more about the Pimiento Research Group here: https://www.catalinapimiento.com/ You can find out more about the Save Our Seas Foundation on Instagram (@saveourseasfoundation) and X/Twitter (@SaveOurSeas).   

Sharks and rays are found all over the world; from the freezing waters of the Arctic to the tropical Indo-Pacific, and just about everywhere else in between. This means that shark conservation is a global effort, spanning multiple countries, cultures, customs and languages. But did you know that 98% of scientific research is published exclusively in English? In this episode of the World of Sharks podcast, we discuss how linguistic bias can limit shark conservation and the value of publishing and communicating shark science in multiple languages. We are joined by Jaime Penadés-Suay, founder and president of Associacó LAMNA, and Hettie Brown, conservation officer for The Shark Trust. Jaime and Hettie recently collaborated to organise the first 'Wikimaratón de Tiburones y Rayas' (Sharks and Rays Wikimarathon), an event that motivated people from around the world to expand and improve information about elasmobranchs on the digital encyclopedia, publishing over 100 articles in Spanish! You can read more about Wikimaratón de Tiburones y Rayas here: https://wikimedia.es/mas-de-100-articulos-sobre-tiburones-y-rayas-enriquecen-la-wikipedia-en-espanol/ and here: https://www.sharktrust.org/tiburones-y-rayas You can also follow the project on Instagram: @rayas_y_tiburones You can also follow Jaime (@jaimepenades) and LAMNA (@lamnaassociacio) on instagram. You can find Hettie on X/twitter (@hettiemermaid) and The Shark Trust on both instagram (@thesharktrust) and X/twitter (@sharktrustuk) You can find out more about the Save Our Seas Foundation by heading to www.saveourseas.com or by following us on instagram (@saveourseasfoundation) and X/twitter (@SaveOurSeas).

Did you know that some sharks can keep parts of their body warm to allow them to move faster, swim for longer, see more clearly and think better?? Or, that basking sharks have a gigantic heart?! This week we are diving into the fascinating world of shark physiology and anatomy to learn about a special trait only found in a handful of species: regional endothermy. To take us on this journey of discovery we are joined by Dr Haley Dolton, marine biologist specialising in the physiology and ecology of large, regionally endothermic fishes! Shownotes: www.saveourseas.com/worldofsharks/podcast  You can follow Haley on X/Twitter (@haleydolton) or head to her website, www.haleydolton.com You can find out more about us by heading to www.saveourseas.com, or following us on social media. We are @saveourseasfoundation on Instagram and TikTok, and @SaveOurSeas on X/Twitter.   

This week on the podcast we are taking a brief detour from sharks to explore the fascinating world of turtles and tortoises! We are diving into the research of SOSF project leader and turtle specialist Alessia Lavigne, who has been trying to understand why turtle and tortoise eggs sometimes fail to hatch. Turtles and tortoises (known collectively as the testudines) are, like sharks, one of the most threatened groups of animals on the planet. Understanding when and why reproduction fails is crucial to ensuring their protection - and Alessia has made huge strides in this area. In this episode we dive deep into her research and learn everything there is to know about these amazing creatures. Plus, we meet some iconic species, including the Aldabra giant tortoise.  Alessia is on instagram and TikTok as @turtle_eggsplorer.  Timestamps:  0-7.00: Intro 7.07-17.11: How did Alessia get into the world of turtle research? 17.28 - 26.20: Turtle biology 26.40 - 32.51: Climate change and other threats 32.00 - 47.00: Alessia's research and reproductive failure Shownotes: www.saveourseas.com/worldofsharks/podcast You can find out more about the Save Our Seas Foundation on Instagram and TikTok (@savourseasfoundation) and twitter (@SaveOurSeas). 

We welcome back shark scientist and CEO/Co-Founder of Minorities in Shark Sciences, Jasmin Graham, and celebrate the release of her new book, Sharks Don't Sink: Adventures of a Rogue Scientist. We talk about the incredible adaptations and resilience of sharks, the glorious weirdness of sawfishes - a species Jasmin has worked closely with - and why Jasmin feels innately connected to sharks and compelled to protect them. We also talk about the barriers faced by gender minorities of color in STEM fields, and Jasmin's journey to continue science outside the confines of traditional academia. On this journey, Jasmin co-founded Minorities in Shark Sciences (MISS) with Carlee Jackson, Amani Webber-Schultz and Jaida Elcock, to promote diversity and inclusion in shark research. We discuss how MISS has grown into a global community, and how Jasmin and her fellow co-founders have built a safe, accessible and welcoming space for the good of people and sharks.  Sharks Don't Sink is available now: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/726129/sharks-dont-sink-by-jasmin-graham/. You can follow along with Jasmin's work on her website (www.learningwithjasmin.org) or on X/Twitter (@elasmo_gal). You can also find out more about Minorities in Shark Sciences and how to get involved here: www.misselasmo.org. Or, you can follow them on social media (@miss_elasmo). Shownotes: www.saveourseas.com/worldofsharks/podcast You can also find out more about the Save Our Seas Foundation by heading to www.saveourseas.com or follow us on instagram (@saveourseasfoundation) and X/Twitter (@SaveOurSeas).  

We are so excited to share with you a very special bonus episode of World of Sharks! Join us as we head into the field in search of the second largest species of shark in the world: the basking shark. We'll be heading out on the boat with Dr Alex McInturf (@drsurfnturf), shark scientist at the Chapple Big Fish Lab (@big_fish_lab), SOSF project leader and project coordinator for the Irish Basking Shark Group (@baskingirish). You'll be right there with us as we conduct some basking shark research, and you'll learn what it's like to tag, track, ultrasound and swim with a 32 foot (10m) shark in the wild.  Keep up to date with Alex here:  https://alexandramcinturf.squarespace.com, find out more about Taylor and the Big Fish Lab here: https://marineresearch.oregonstate.edu/chapple-lab and the Irish Basking Shark Group here: https://www.baskingshark.ie/ Key timestamps: 2.25 - Heading out on the boat and Alex's research 8.47 - Finding basking sharks 17.02 - Tagging 32.48 - Active tracking 38.35 - Ultrasounding 44.13 - Social behaviour 50.00 - Basking shark threats and conservation Shownotes: www.saveourseas.com/worldofsharks/podcast Follow Save Our Seas Foundation on instagram (@saveourseasfoundation) and x/twitter (@SaveOurSeas). You can also head to www.saveourseas.com

This week we are diving into the world of angel sharks, the second most threatened group of elasmobranchs in the world. Joining us is co-founder and co-lead of the Angel Shark Project, Eva Meyers, and project coordinator for the Angel Shark Project: Wales, Jake Davies. In this episode we learn all about angel sharks, their super-powered ability to “disappear” and ambush prey, and the work of the Angel Shark Project which aims to protect these unusual sharks throughout their range. Shownotes: www.saveourseas.com/worldofsharks/podcast You can find out more about the projects mentioned here: www.angelsharkproject.com, here www.angelsharknetwork.com, here https://angelsharknetwork.com/wales/ and here https://www.projectsiarc.com/. You can also follow @angelsharkproject and @ProjectSIARC on instagram You can follow Eva on X (@angelshark2014) and Bluesky (@evameyers.bsky.social) and Jake on instagram (@JDScuba).  If you want to know more about us, you can follow us on instagram (@saveourseasfoundation), X (@SaveOurSeas) and TikTok (@saveourseasfoundation).   

Sharks with beards. Deep sea sharks with glow-in-the-dark bellies. Sharks that take on submarines. Sharks that walk instead of swim and rays with a hedge trimmer for a nose…this episode has it all! We explore the fantastic diversity of sharks and their relatives (and of all marine life!) with marine biologist, scientific writer and broadcaster Dr Helen Scales, ahead of the release of her new book, What the Wild Sea Can Be. Join us as we travel from the ocean depths to the shallowest rockpools, meeting a colourful bunch of characters along the way. Timestamps: 05.01 - Helen's career journey from scientist to writer 16.33 - Pom-pom crabs, cleaner wrasse 22.14 - Sharks! Lanternsharks, greenland sharks, walking sharks, shysharks 27.10 - Sharks in history and culture 32.30 - The deep sea! 47.04 - Deep sea sharks 51.00 - What the Wild Sea Can Be and the future of our ocean Shownotes: www.saveourseas.com/worldofsharks/podcast Helen's Instagram: @drhelenscales Helen's twitter: @helenscales Website:  https://helenscales.com/ Helen's latest book: https://atlantic-books.co.uk/book/what-the-wild-sea-can-be/ Save Our Seas Foundation is on instagram (@saveourseasfoundation) and x/twitter (@SaveOurSeas).

Come with us on a voyage to one of the most remote, biodiverse and "sharkiest" places on the planet with leading expert Pelayo Salinas, co-principal investigator of shark ecology and conservation at the Charles Darwin Foundation and Save Our Seas Foundation project leader. In this episode we go on a dive to observe scalloped hammerheads visiting their after-work spa, get booped by the bouncer of the reef, Galapagos sharks, and swim alongside the world's largest fish. And, if that wasn't enough, we head off on an expedition into the deep to visit a very unusual egg-laying site on a hydrothermal vent...  You can follow Pelayo on instagram and twitter (@pelayosalinas) and find out more about the Charles Darwin Foundation here: https://www.darwinfoundation.org/en/    Shownotes: www.saveourseas.com/worldofsharks/podcast  Follow SOSF: @saveourseasfoundation (instagram), @SaveOurSeas (x/twitter)

Thresher sharks are known for their unusual hunting strategy. They use their long tail like a whip, striking it so fast that it creates a shockwave capable of stunning multiple fish at once! But how does their anatomy support such an extreme movement? In today's episode we find out! We talk with Jamie Knaub, who researches the biomechanics and vertebral anatomy in large, swimming animals - including whales and sharks. In this episode we explore Jamie's research, including her most recent work studying the vertebrae of the thresher shark to understand how they are able to carry out that iconic tail whip. This episode has it all: the Olympians of the shark world, surprise humpbacks, sharks with anxiety, digital dissections and of course some deliciously nerdy science. You can follow Jamie on X/twitter (@CornOnTheKnaub) or LinkedIn (Jamie Knaub). And you can find out more about the Fab Lab, run by Dr Marianne Porter, here: https://mepbiomechanics.com/   You can find us on social media on X/twitter (@SaveOurSeas) or instagram (@saveourseasfoundation) Episode shownotes: www.saveourseas.com/worldofsharks/podcast    

Conservation is often more about understanding people than studying the animals we are trying to protect. In this episode we learn from Dr Hollie Booth, research fellow at the University of Oxford, who has worked extensively with small-scale fisheries in Indonesia, the world's largest shark fishing nation. Hollie's work aims to disentangle the drivers of shark fishing in order to find solutions that have positive outcomes for both sharks and coastal communities. Here, we discuss the complexities of fisheries and the many reasons why someone might catch and trade sharks. And, we talk about the importance of finding conservation strategies that are socially just as well as ecologically effective. You can follow Hollie and her work:  @the_hollietype (instagram) @kebersamaan_untuk_lautan (instagram) @hollieboothie (twitter) https://saveourseas.com/project/solutions-for-shark-fisheries-in-a-surfers-paradise/ https://mcem.web.ox.ac.uk/incentive-based-marine-conservation   Shownotes:  www.saveourseas.com/worldofsharks/podcast  

The ocean is warming at a rapid pace. This year (2024) began with the highest global Sea Surface Temperature (SST) on record, and scientists are already warning of mass coral bleaching events and other worrying consequences for marine life. But how could rising temperatures impact sharks, particularly in the early stages of life when they are most vulnerable? PhD student and “mother-of-sharks” Noémie Coulon is trying to understand the effects of ocean warming and acidification on baby sharks, using an egg-laying species – the small-spotted catshark – as an example. In this episode, we follow her work as she raises catsharks in the lab, testing the effects of different environmental conditions at key stages in their development.    Follow along with Noémie's work on twitter (@noemie_coulon) and instagram (@noemie.coulon.9).  Shownotes: www.saveourseas.com/worldofsharks/podcast

In February 2024, a round stingray from a small, rural aquarium in the middle of a shopping mall unexpectedly took the world by storm. She was pregnant, but how this had happened was a complete mystery - there were no male stingrays in the tank, nor had there ever been... In this episode we are joined by scientist and science communicator Dr David Shiffman (@whysharksmatter) to examine Charlotte's case. We go deep into the various theories that could explain Charlotte's pregnancy to get to the bottom of what really happened. No, a shark did not get a ray pregnant, but what did happen is even more fascinating. It's a good excuse to take a deep dive into the more unusual methods of shark and ray reproduction, including the super cool zoological phenomenon that is parthenogenesis!  You can find out more about David here https://davidshiffmancv.com/, find his book here https://www.press.jhu.edu/books/title/12267/why-sharks-matter and read his article on Charlotte for Southern Fried Science: https://www.southernfriedscience.com/no-a-shark-did-not-get-a-stingray-pregnant-but-what-really-happened-is-pretty-cool/ Shownotes: www.saveourseas.com/worldofsharks/podcast  

The international shark fin trade is a billion-dollar industry. It is also driving declines in shark populations around the world. In this episode, we are joined by Luke Warwick, expert in global shark policy, to learn how CITES - an international agreement between governments to regulate trade in endangered species - could help protect sharks and rays from overexploitation. In particular, we discuss a landmark vote that occurred in 2022, which saw 90% of the fin trade come under regulation almost overnight. Luke walks us through what has happened in the year since, from getting the vote passed to implementing the new regulations at local level. And, we discuss some of the trials and tribulations of trying to get 100+ countries to agree on something, especially when most of them have a vested interest... You can learn more about Luke and his work with the Wildlife Conservation Society on twitter (@WCSsharks) and here https://www.wcs.org/our-work/wildlife/sharks-skates-rays. You can also check out the shownotes for this episode here www.saveourseas.com/worldofsharks/podcast For more sharky content, find us on social media! We are @saveourseasfoundation on instagram, and @SaveOurSeas on twitter.   

Do sharks have ears? Are they good listeners? What are they listening for? Do great white sharks get freaked out by orca sounds? And what kind of music do sharks like?! We cover all this and so much more with bio-acoustician and shark hearing expert, Dr Lucille Chapuis. Join us for a fact-filled episode that includes disco sharks, curious humpbacks, putting sharks in 'sleepy-time baths' and R2D2 with a throat problem.  You can follow Lucille on twitter (@sharkslikejazz), instagram (@lucillechapuis) and via her website, www.sharkslikejazz.com.  If you liked this episode, please consider giving us a rating and a review. You can get in touch with the podcast by emailing isla@saveourseas.com, or via social media (@saveourseasfoundation on instagram, @SaveOurSeas on twitter). 

Time travel. Ancient coral reefs. Shark sleuthing. The AMAZING properties of shark skin...this episode has it all! We're chatting with Dr Erin Dillon, conservation paleobiologist and researcher at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute. Erin's work uses fossilised shark skin (fancy term: dermal denticles) as a window into the past, to understand what kinds of sharks were around on coral reefs thousands of years ago and how that has changed over time. It's a fascinating deep dive into shark life before humans made their mark, and an insight into what healthy reefs could look like with a little bit of help.  You can follow Erin's work by heading to her website, http://erinmdillon.wordpress.com, or by following Erin on social media (@erinmdillon).  You can find the shownotes for this episode here www.saveourseas.com/worldofsharks/podcast and find us on social media, we are @saveourseasfoundation on instagram and @SaveOurSeas on twitter. 

It's our 50th episode!! To celebrate, host Isla is joined by shark scientist and CEO of the Save Our Seas Foundation Dr James Lea to talk about the amazing evolutionary success of sharks and their relatives. We talk about just how much sharks have had thrown at them over the 440 million years they've existed on this planet (super volcanoes, ice ages, the terror of plants and a mass extinction event called the 'Great Dying'!) and discuss their super-powered adaptations and efficient body plans. Plus, we answer a listener question: how can I get my friends into shark conservation?  Shownotes: www.saveourseas.com/worldofsharks/podcast  You can find us on instagram (@saveourseasfoundation) and twitter (@SaveOurSeas).

Starting out on your own career journey can be a little daunting, which is why we've put together this special episode of World of Sharks, filled with advice, experiences and anecdotes from the guests of season 4. We talk about how to make your dreams of working in shark science and conservation a reality – from how to approach professors, to finding your niche, to overcoming setbacks and staying true to yourself. You can find additional resources in the shownotes: www.saveourseas.com/worldofsharks/podcast You can keep track of when our grants and funding opportunities are announced by following us on social media, we are @saveourseasfoundation on instagram and @SaveOurSeas on twitter!

Plastics. Oil spills. Industrial chemicals. Herbicides. Pesticides…the list of substances that we have dumped in the sea is endless. But scientists are only just beginning to understand the true extent of the impact of marine pollutants on marine life. Fish biologist and SOSF project leader Franco Cristiani is investigating the effects of harmful pollutants on chondrichthyans, using the American elephant fish (a chimaera) as a model species. We invited Franco onto World of Sharks to discuss this important research and learn about the potential consequences of marine pollution on the reproductive health, immune function and overall survival of sharks and their relatives. And, of course, we take some time to talk about the gloriously weird and funky American elephant fish! Shownotes: www.saveourseas.com/worldofsharks/podcast Find out more about Franco and his project here: https://saveourseas.com/project-leader/franco-cristiani/ and follow him on twitter (@franco_c89).  You can also follow us on instagram (@saveourseasfoundation) and twitter (@SaveOurSeas).

We're heading back to the Seychelles this week to chat with research and programme directors for the Save Our Seas Foundation D'Arros Research Centre (SOSF-DRC), Dr Rob Bullock and Henriette Grimmel! Both Rob and Henriette have lots of experience and knowledge in the application of scientific research to marine policy, spatial planning and conservation. And, where they live and work – D'Arros, located in the outer islands of the Seychelles – is the perfect example of how science can be applied to protect and restore marine ecosystems. We talk about the magic of D'Arros, the impressive suite of long-term monitoring programmes carried out by the SOSF-DRC, and the long and complex process of designating and managing a Marine Protected Area (MPA). There are also cameos from the Aldabra giant tortoises, baby sharks, Sir David Attenborough and a VERY friendly manta ray called Jackson.  Shownotes: www.saveourseas.com/worldofsharks/podcast   You can find out more about the D'Arros Research Centre here https://saveourseas.com/sosf-darros-research-centre/ or by following them on instagram, @darrosresearchcentre.    And you can find us on instagram (@saveourseasfoundation) and twitter (@SaveOurSeas). 

It's spooky season! And we're taking the opportunity to celebrate some close relatives of sharks and rays who don't get talked about as much as they deserve: the chimaeras. Also known as ghost sharks, spookfish, ratfish and rabbitfish, these ancient creatures glide in the dark of the deep ocean, much of their life shrouded in mystery. Helping us learn more about them is our guest, fish biologist and SOSF project leader Dr Luz Erandi Saldaña Ruiz. In this episode we learn all about Luz's work, which aims to improve the management of data-poor and data-limited fisheries in Mexico and find out all there is to know about the sharks' enigmatic cousins, who Luz works closely with. Digressions include Tim Burton's A Nightmare Before Christmas, sea creatures that defy reality, and a shark with starry skin.   You can follow Luz on Instagram (@erandiscienceart), twitter (@Sarudanya) and Facebook (ErandiScienceArt). You can also read more about her project here: https://saveourseas.com/project/catch-up-mexicos-shark-fisheries/.  You can find the shownotes for this episode here: https://saveourseas.com/worldofsharks/podcast You can find out more about us by following @saveourseasfoundation on instagram, and @SaveOurSeas on twitter.    

Have you ever wondered what a shark's brain looks like? How the brain of a goblin shark compares to a mako? What makes a whale shark tick? Or…what it's like to get a shark brain in the post? These are all things that Dr Kara E. Yopak, shark brain expert and director of the EXCELLENTLY named ZoMBiE lab knows a thing or two about! Kara is interested in what different shark brains look like and how these differences have evolved over time. She looks at variations in brain size between species, as well as differences in how the brain is organised and structured. This information can give us insight into how sharks live, their habitat, and even their behaviour. Grab your lab coats, because neuroscience is served… Join the zombie squad and find out more about Kara by following her on social media (@ProfSharkbrain, @YopakZoMBiELab, https://yopaklab.com).  You can find the shownotes for this episode here: www.saveourseas.com/worldofsharks/podcast and find out more about us by following @saveourseasfoundation on instagram and @SaveOurSeas on twitter.   

This week, we are transporting you to a tropical island haven for sharks and rays in the beautiful outer islands of the Seychelles! We will be guided by the wonderful Dillys Pouponeau (@dillyseychelles) and Ellie Moulinie (@miss_tropics), who are research officers at the Save Our Seas Foundation D'Arros Research Centre. D'Arros island and its sister atoll, St. Joseph, have been labelled a 'pristine wilderness', with thriving coral reefs, sandy beaches, lush seagrass beds, dense mangrove forests and clear waters all bursting at the seams with life. But it is that way because of the hard work of the scientists and conservationists at D'Arros to restore, research and protect this incredible environment. In this episode we learn all about D'Arros and its inhabitants, including a whole suite of sharks from baby black-tip reef sharks to fully-grown bull and tiger sharks, and of course, the manta rays. And we find out all about Ellie and Dillys' research into these species, their great adventures into the 'crazy wild' Amirantes islands, and what it was like to grow up in the island nation.   You can find out more about D'Arros by following them on social media (@darrosresearchcentre) or on their website: https://saveourseas.com/sosf-darros-research-centre Shownotes: www.saveourseas.com/worldofsharks/podcast  

Sharks have a reputation as 'swimming noses' - but just how well can they smell? This week we are diving into the fascinating world of snoot science with aquatic sensory biologist Dr Lauren Simonitis! Expect the ins and outs of shark noses, along with detours to explore the anti-predator strategies of sea slugs and cuttlefish, a shark that eats its greens, and a type of whale that inks while it poops. And we break down some famous myths about sharks…like do they really go into a feeding frenzy from the mere scent of blood? Find out more about Lauren: @explauren, https://www.laurenevesimonitis.com/, https://www.misselasmo.org/ Find out more about us: @saveourseasfoundation (instagram and tiktok) @SaveOurSeas (twitter), www.saveourseas.com Shownotes: https://saveourseas.com/worldofsharks/podcast

Greenland sharks are the world's longest living vertebrate, with a longevity that can be measured in centuries. But what do they do during that long life? In this episode, we speak with scientist and "Greenland Shark Detective" Dr Julius Nielsen, who has studied these mysterious creatures for many years. Julius was part of the first team to estimate their extraordinary lifespan, and explains exactly how they did it. He also walks us through some other fascinating aspects of their biology and ecology, including what they eat (answer: pretty much anything), how deep they can go (pretty deep!), their reproductive habits (becoming sexually mature at 150 and then having hundreds of babies, anyone?!), and some very unusual parasites… You can follow Julius on instagram and twitter: @juniel85 You can also follow Save Our Seas Foundation on instagram and tiktok (@saveourseasfoundation) and twitter (@SaveOurSeas).  Shownotes for this episode: https://saveourseas.com/worldofsharks/podcast  

The impact of the Hollywood blockbuster Jaws on shark conservation, public perception and even policy-making has been studied since its release in 1975, but today we're looking even further back in time to understand where that idea of sharks as man-eating monsters first came from, and how it gained traction to get to where we are today. It's a fascinating story involving Victorian game hunters, shark “rabies”, the U.S. Navy, film soundtracks designed to make your heart race, and an Australian surgeon who decided to try his hand at marine biology. To walk us through all of this, we have an amazing guest who has pieced all of these puzzle pieces together – Dr Chris Pepin-Neff, senior lecturer in public policy at the University of Sydney, Save our Seas Foundation project leader and expert in shark bite politics. You can follow Chris on twitter (@pepin_neff) or read more about them here https://saveourseas.com/project-leader/christopher-neff/ and find some of their research here https://sydney.academia.edu/ChrisPepinNeff.  You can find the shownotes for this episode here: www.saveourseas.com/worldofsharks/podcast Follow us on social media! We are @saveourseasfoundation on instagram and tiktok, and @SaveOurSeas on twitter

Grab your labcoats! This week we are diving into the fascinating world of genetics to find out what we can learn from shark DNA with Mahmood Shivji, professor of marine science at Nova Southeastern University in Florida and director of the Guy Harvey Institute and Save Our Seas Foundation Shark Research Center (SOSF-SRC). In this episode we discuss shark forensics, the magical healing abilities of white sharks, and what DNA can tell us about the conservation status of some of the world's most endangered species.  Shownotes: https://saveourseas.com/worldofsharks/podcast Find out more about the Save Our Seas Foundation here: www.saveourseas.com. You can also find us on twitter (@SaveOurSeas) and instagram (@saveourseasfoundation).

Something we talk about a lot on this podcast is the sheer diversity of sharks and their relatives. With over 500 species of shark alone - not to mention the rays, skates and chimaeras - there is so much to them than just the Jaws stereotype. In this episode, we are talking about some species you may never have heard of, each with their own fantastical adaptations - a tiny deep sea shark with lightsabers on its back, a seriously laid-back species with a highly unusual shape, a fearsome pink predator with slingshot jaws, and a shark so rare that our deep sea shark expert had to wait a decade to see it.   We had the help and expertise of three amazing shark scientists, go show them some love! Dr Brit Finucci: @BritFinucci (twitter), @britfinucci (IG) Vicky Vásquez: @VickySharky (twitter), @VickyShark (IG), www.VickyShark.com, www.RogueSharkLab.org A-bel Gong: @Elasmabel (twitter), @gong_and_a_bell (IG), https://agong1564.wixsite.com/website Timestamps:  Getting to know our guests [7.09 - 22.20] Goblin sharks (Vicky's species) [22.20-35.23] White-tailed dogfish (Brit's species) [35.23-43.10] Shovelnose guitarfish (A-bel's species) [43.10 - 51.20] Velvet belly lantern shark (Isla's species) [51.20 - 54.10] Shownotes:  https://saveourseas.com/worldofsharks/podcast

This week on World of Sharks, we are diving into the Great African Seaforest - the world's only forest of giant bamboo kelp, which stretches more than 1000km from the shores of Cape Town to the coastline of Namibia - with conservation film-maker and SOSF project leader Craig Foster (The Sea Change Project, My Octopus Teacher). In this episode we talk about the importance of the Seaforest, especially to sharks and rays, cold water immersion and Craig's deep connection with the ocean. Digressions include some inquisitive tiger sharks, napping pyjama sharks and how it feels to fly through an magical underwater forest! You can find out more about the Seaforest and the Sea Change Project here: www.seachangeproject.com.  Shownotes: https://saveourseas.com/worldofsharks/podcast.  Follow us on social media over at @saveourseasfoundation (instagram) and @SaveOurSeas (twitter)

On today's episode of World of Sharks, we are discussing a very important topic in conservation: how to encourage, support and nurture young people to care for and protect our ocean, while being mindful of the many other pressures that they face. How can we teach them about the issues facing the natural world, while maintaining hope? How do we empower them to take action for conservation, while still allowing them to be kids? We're talking about all this and more with Dr Clova Mabin, director of the Save Our Seas Foundation Shark Education Centre (https://saveourseas.com/sosf-shark-education-centre/). Based in Cape Town, South Africa, the centre works with under-resourced communities who face many barriers to connecting with the ocean. We talk about the work that the education team do to help build knowledge and confidence around the marine environment, provide a safe space to enjoy blue spaces and help young people find their own place in protecting it.  You can follow the Shark Education Centre on Instagram, Twitter and Tiktok: @sharkcentre Shownotes: https://saveourseas.com/worldofsharks/podcast Save Our Seas Foundation: @saveourseasfoundation (Instagram), @SaveOurSeas (twitter) and www.saveourseas.com

We're learning new things about the ocean every day, but for centuries the ocean has taught us so much more. After the pandemic, many of us evaluated our connection to the sea and nature in general, seeking deeper meaning in our relationship with it and realising how necessary it is for our mental and emotional wellbeing. Award-winning film-maker and conservation storyteller Pippa Ehrlich (My Octopus Teacher, Older Than Trees) is passionate about telling stories of human-nature connection. For years, she has worked with scientists around the world, using storytelling to capture their passion and emotion for marine life and inspire others to feel the same. In this episode, we talk about Pippa's approach to storytelling and the story behind the Oscar winning documentary, My Octopus Teacher. We also discuss Pippa's love for the ocean, exploring the beautiful kelp forests of the Cape peninsula, and how she stays connected to nature - even when life gets in the way. And, we talk about her new film Older Than Trees, which celebrates 20 years of the Save Our Seas Foundation.  You can follow Pippa on social media: @the_rewilding (instagram) and @PippaEhrlich (twitter). You can also find out more about her current work for the Sea Change Project, an organisation aiming to spread awareness of the Great African Seaforest through storytelling and immersion: https://seachangeproject.com/.  You can find out more about us by heading to www.saveourseas.com, or following us on social media: @saveourseasfoundation (instagram) and @SaveOurSeas (twitter).  You can find the shownotes for this episode here: https://saveourseas.com/worldofsharks/podcast  

This week on World of Sharks we are diving into the world of an iconic species: the blue shark, Prionace glauca. Known for their big eyes, pointed snouts, mesmerising metallic blue colour and inquisitive nature, blue sharks are a species of requiem shark that occur in temperate and tropical oceans around the world. We are joined by Dr Jenny Bortoluzzi, shark scientist and SOSF project leader, who studied this species in Irish waters for her PhD and tried to understand why they came to the area in such large numbers, and discovered some quite surprising things about their eating habits… Digressions include some very friendly sunfish, travel-happy porbeagles, and why on earth a shark would choose to eat jellyfish. Time stamps: Jenny's life and career [6.30-20.10], blue sharks and Jenny's research [20.20 - 45.00], porbeagle tagging [45.30-49.50], conservation implications [50.00].  You can follow Jenny's work by heading to her website (https://jennybortoluzzi.wordpress.com/) or following her on social media (@DrSharkyJenny).  You can find out more about the Save Our Seas Foundation by heading to www.saveourseas.com. 

In this episode of World of Sharks by the Save Our Seas Foundation, we're chatting all things spurdog, relatedness and genetics with molecular biologist and PhD student Fenella Wood! Fenella's research delves into the fascinating world of spurdog population genetics to find out if the individuals that form large aggregations are related, which could have conservation implications if they are caught as by-catch. We learn all about shark DNA, life at sea, and what it was like to work at the legendary Bimini Field Station, AKA Shark Lab. You can follow Fenella on twitter, she is @Fenella_Wood.  And you can follow our work on instagram (@saveourseasfoundation) and twitter (@aaveourseas). 

So, you want to study sharks. You have a brilliant research question, a solid methodology, and buckets of passion. There's just one thing missing...funding. Applying for grants to support your research is a huge part of the scientific process - and it's certainly not easy. But fear not! This week, we are taking a break from chatting about sharks to bring you some expert tips on how to get your dream project funded, from three people who definitely know their stuff when it comes to grant applications. Dr James Lea, CEO of the Save Our Seas Foundation, Lee Crockett, executive director of the Shark Conservation Fund and Sarah Fowler OBE, scientific advisor to both organisations, have tonnes of experience both as reviewers and applicants. Every year, they sift through hundreds of proposals and know exactly what sets an application apart from the rest. In this episode we talk about growing your idea into a realistic, achievable project and what funders are looking for in a successful applicant. And, we discuss what to do if you get rejected - which is a hard, but very normal, part of the process.  Applications for the Save Our Seas Foundation small grants are open NOW until June 16th 2023. Find out more here: https://saveourseas.com/grants/funding-applications/ You can also find out about opportunities with the Shark Conservation Fund here: https://www.sharkconservationfund.org/

Sharks and ray populations across the world are in freefall. Reversing these declines requires a coordinated, global effort - but how can this be achieved? At the International Marine Protected Areas Congress (IMPAC5) in Vancouver, Canada, host Isla sat down with Rima Jabado, fisheries scientist and head of the IUCN Shark Specialist Group, and elasmobranch scientists Emiliano García Rodríguez and Ciaran Hyde to talk about Important Shark and Ray Areas (ISRAs). Lead by a growing international team of scientists, policy-makers and practitioners, the ISRAs project aims to put sharks on the map - collating information on areas around the world that serve a vital function for sharks and rays, and making this information freely available to help decision-makers and managers build better, informed protective measures for sharks and rays around the world. You can find out more about ISRAs here: https://sharkrayareas.org/ and by following @SharkRayAreas.  You can find out more about us over at www.saveourseas.com, or by following @SaveOurSeas (twitter) and @saveourseasfoundation (instagram).