Tagging tiger sharks, seamount navigation, and a great white shark called Princess Sparkles...  This week, we're diving into the fascinating world of shark movement ecology with research scientist Dr Sammy Andrzejaczek to explore how and why sharks move about the oceans - in particular zooming in on their vertical space use and asking why some sharks take frequent dives to depths of over 1,000 metres. We also discuss the potential effects of the lunar cycle, and what white sharks are up to off the coast of central California. And, we take you behind the scenes as Sammy explains some of the different technologies that she uses to carry out this research and live her dream working with these incredible animals in the wild.  You can follow Sammy on Instagram (@sammy_shark and @MonteraryBayWhiteSharks) and on BlueSky (@sammy-shark.bsky.social) Shownotes: www.saveourseas.com/worldofsharks/podcast Timestamps: 8.48: About Sammy 14.07: Tagging technologies and working in the field 22.59: Shark vertical space use (how and why do sharks move up and down in the ocean) 30.30: Deep water navigation 34.16: Overlap in distribution and what this means for species interactions 37.41: Conservation implications 40.19: The impact of the lunar cycle 44.55: Movements and behaviour of great white sharks

In part 2 of our 'In the Field' episode with the Save Our Seas Foundation D'Arros Research Centre, we are heading to the neighbouring atoll of St Joseph to tag juvenile sharks and take part in their long term mark-recapture study. We'll also be finding out more about the sharks of D'Arros, and heading out at night in search of bull, mako, silvertip and grey reef sharks... Time stamps: 03.55: Why is D'Arros so important to sharks and rays? 07.15: Tagging juvenile sharks on St Joseph atoll 23.00: Camping overnight on the atoll and sea turtle survey 31.19: Tagging adult sharks at night 36.00: Tonic immobility 40.00: Diving on receivers 44.09: Translating science into conservation action 49.18: What can we learn from D'Arros? Find out more about the Save Our Seas Foundation D'Arros Research Centre here: https://saveourseas.com/sosf-darros-research-centre/ or on social media: @darrosresearchcentre      

In this episode of World of Sharks: In the Field, we are learning what it’s like to live and work on a tiny, remote island in the middle of the Indian Ocean, and study sharks and rays in what can be considered one of the most pristine marine environments on earth today.  In part 1, we meet the team of the Save Our Seas Foundation D'Arros Research Centre (SOSF-DRC), explore the island and its vibrant underwater world, and swim with one of the largest aggregations of reef manta rays in Seychelles.  Time stamps:  02.30: Introduction to D'Arros Island and meet the team 16.00: Swimming with mantas and conducting a manta survey 27.52: Plankton sampling 40.24: Scuba diving to manta cam 43.51: Identifying mantas and the Seychelles Manta Ray Programme (SMRP) **Learn about tagging sharks and more in part 2!** Find out more about the Save Our Seas Foundation D'Arros Research Centre here: https://saveourseas.com/sosf-darros-research-centre/ or on social media: @darrosresearchcentre

We're gonna need a bigger podcast... In honour of the 50th anniversary of the release of Jaws - one of the most iconic shark movies of all time - we are bringing you a very special bonus episode wholly dedicated to the film. Host Isla is joined by two jawsome guests: shark scientist and science communicator Amani Webber-Schultz (@curly_biologist), and social scientist and Associate Professor in public policy, Dr Chris Pepin-Neff (@csyd2202). Together, they discuss the cultural impact of Jaws and its negative effects on public perceptions of sharks and shark conservation, as well as its positive influences - including sparking the careers of a whole generation of shark scientists. And, they take a deep dive into the film itself, reliving their favourite scenes, sharing behind-the-scenes facts, and dreaming up their own pitches to Hollywood. Shownotes: www.saveourseas.com/worldofsharks/podcast Check out Minorities in Shark Sciences (MISS), the organisation that Amani co-founded, here: https://www.misselasmo.org/ Amani's appearance on Wired: (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t8hjTa1IeNc) and Insider: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=habSJ85RFBQ You can watch Chris' TED talk on Rogue Shark Theory here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vcmy2Bd23wE Find out more about Chris' publications here: https://sydney.academia.edu/ChrisPepinNeff  

They are the most iconic shark species of all time, known for their strength, hunting prowess, and long-distance travel. But there is a lot more to great white sharks than their reputation. They are not the mindless killers that the movies would have you believe – in fact, they are a highly curious and elusive species who continue to surprise us. And someone who knows white sharks inside out is Dr Alison Kock, a marine biologist who has spent the last 20 years studying their behaviour and ecology. In this episode, Dr Kock shares everything she knows about the world's largest predatory fish, including a scientific finding that's hot off the press... Time stamps 06.08 - 16.00: Alison's career and passion for sharks 16.00 - 30.00: Great white shark physiology, ecology, and behaviour 31.50 - 40.00: Zooming in on False Bay and Alison's research 41.30 - 54.00: Relationships between humans and white sharks 54.19 - 60.00: Orca predation on white sharks 60.01: New scientific findings on white sharks You can follow Alison on Instagram (@alison_kock) or find out more about her work and research via these links:  https://saveourseas.com/project-leader/alison-kock/ https://www.sanparks.org/conservation/scientific-services/nodes/cape-research-centre/meet-the-team https://sharkspotters.org.za/ You can find out more about the Save Our Seas Foundation by heading to www.saveourseas.com, or by finding us on socials:  Instagram: @saveourseasfoundation Bluesky: @saveourseas.bsky.social X/Twitter: @SaveOurSeas Facebook: Save Our Seas Foundation

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.Greenhttps://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.