It’s spooky season, and what a great excuse to visit our friends in the dark; the deep-sea sharks, rays, skates and chimaeras! We’re joined by fisheries scientist and deep-sea legend Dr Brit Finucci to go on a journey into the darkness – a far from barren landscape filled with weird and wonderful creatures. We’ll meet icons like the small-but-ferocious prickly dogfish, the luminous lanternsharks, the ancient and toothy frilled sharks, and a ghost shark called Colin, who just so happens to be new to science. Shownotes: www.saveourseas.com/worldofsharks/podcast  If you want to learn more about ghost sharks, Brit has co-authored a new book all about them! Ghost Sharks: A Fully Illustrated Guide to the Chimaeras of the World is available for pre-order now. Find out more about Brit and her work here:  Instagram: @britfinucci https://niwa.co.nz/people/brit-finucci-0 https://saveourseas.com/project-leader/brittany-finucci/ Follow us on social media! We are @saveourseasfoundation across all platforms. 

From a shovel to a mallet, and even an aeroplane - the hammerheads really do win the prize for some of the most bizarrely shaped sharks out there. But why do they have such oddly-shaped noggins? What do they eat? Where do we find them? And why are one of the most charismatic groups of sharks in the world also one of the most threatened?  In this episode we are joined by Dr Kelly Kingon, Associate Professor at the University of the Bahamas, SOSF project leader and co-director of the non-profit CHaPO (Conserve Habitats and Protect Organisms). Kelly has been trying to find scalloped hammerhead nurseries in Trinidad and Tobago to inform conservation and management strategies for this heavily fished species. We discuss the amazingness of hammerheads, their unique adaptations and conservation status, before zooming in on Kelly's research to discover what's happening to baby hammers in the warm waters of the Carribean.  Shownotes: www.saveourseas.com/worldofsharks/podcast Find out more about Kelly's work:  https://saveourseas.com/project/community-supported-conservation-goals-for-scalloped-hammerhead/ https://www.facebook.com/iCHaPO.TT/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/ichapo/ Instagram: ichapo_tt TikTok: chapo_tt ichapo.com FREEthelab.com Find out more about us:  www.saveourseas.com @saveourseasfoundation

Tagging hammerheads, tracking silky sharks and exploring a remote coral paradise in the middle of the Gulf of Mexico…This week, we’re diving into the fascinating world of shark trophic ecology with PhD researcher and SOSF project leader Brett Sweezey! Brett is investigating the interactions between predators and prey, and how they influence where sharks go amongst the unique habitats of the Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary. Join us as we discuss the innovative methods Brett is using, some fascinating early findings, and the challenges and triumphs of studying these incredible creatures in their natural habitat. You can follow Brett across all platforms: @saltwatersweezey. You can also find out more about his project here: https://saveourseas.com/project/methods-to-reduce-shark-stress/ Shownotes: www.saveourseas.com/worldofsharks/podcast

A turtle that looks like a pig, and a shark that looks like a plane...in this episode, we're heading to the colourful, diverse lands of the Kikori River in Southern Papua New Guinea to meet researcher and director of the Piku Biodiversity Network (www.pikubionet.org.pg). In 2018, Yolarnie expanded the PBN - which originally focussed on the community-led conservation of the endangered pig-nosed turtle - to include the 45 species of shark and ray that can be found in the Kikori river system. These species include the unusual and understudied winghead shark, one of the few sharks that passes between salt and freshwater to give birth to its young.  Find out more about Yolarnie's project, which she co-leads with Dr Michael Grant, here: https://saveourseas.com/project-leader/yolarnie-amepou/ Shownotes: www.saveourseas.com/worldofsharks/podcast

Dive into the deep, remote waters of New Zealand's Fiordland with us as we meet the mysterious broadnose sevengill shark and the scientist who is trying to study them: Dr Alice Rogers. Alice's research aims to discover how these ancient creatures are responding to climate change - will the fiords provide vital refuge for the species as our waters get warmer?Along the way, she and her team are uncovering uncovering the secrets of these elusive "grandpa" sharks. Shownotes: www.saveourseas.com/worldofsharks/podcast Follow Alice: @dralicerogers Find out more: https://saveourseas.com/project/climate-change-at-the-end-of-the-earth-sevengill-sharks-in-fiordland-new-zealand/ https://www.southernfiordland.nz

We're taking to the skies to find out what great white sharks get up to when no-one's looking... From his drone’s vantage, Carlos Gauna — AKA The Malibu Artist — has captured previously unrecorded behaviours of one of the ocean’s most captivating predators, the great white shark. His footage has fascinated viewers from across the globe, challenged misconceptions of white sharks, and even altered Carlos’ own perspective of the species. In this episode we talk about some of these behaviours; from a shark apparently 'eating' kelp to their interactions with dolphins and people. And, we discuss the moment that Carlos captured the first possible newborn white shark on camera - a key discovery that could secure important protections for white sharks in the area.   You can follow along with Carlos' work and see all his incredible footage here:  Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/@TheMalibuArtist Instagram: @themalibuartist Website: www.themalibuartist.com Shownotes: www.saveourseas.com/worldofsharks/podcast  

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 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

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      

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