so I’ve been making wildlife Natural History programs for about 18 years now
History programs for about 18 years now
History programs for about 18 years now and the ones that have kind of done best
and the ones that have kind of done best
and the ones that have kind of done best around the world are the ones that focus
around the world are the ones that focus
around the world are the ones that focus on so-called deadly animals but the
on so-called deadly animals but the
on so-called deadly animals but the twist has always been for me that it’s
twist has always been for me that it’s
twist has always been for me that it’s always about animals being deadly in
always about animals being deadly in
always about animals being deadly in their own world to other animals so much
their own world to other animals so much
their own world to other animals so much so that we even put that at the front of
so that we even put that at the front of
so that we even put that at the front of every single program after all you know
every single program after all you know
every single program after all you know if you’re an aphid than a ladybird is
if you’re an aphid than a ladybird is
if you’re an aphid than a ladybird is the most dangerous animal in the entire
the most dangerous animal in the entire
the most dangerous animal in the entire world so it’s not about animals being
world so it’s not about animals being
world so it’s not about animals being dangerous to us as human beings and I
dangerous to us as human beings and I
dangerous to us as human beings and I kind of feel like over the years that
kind of feel like over the years that
kind of feel like over the years that I’ve gained a certain responsibility to
I’ve gained a certain responsibility to
I’ve gained a certain responsibility to show that image to show that the animals
show that image to show that the animals
show that image to show that the animals that we may be the most frightened of
that we may be the most frightened of
that we may be the most frightened of are actually very very rarely dangerous
are actually very very rarely dangerous
are actually very very rarely dangerous to us and my experience shows over and
to us and my experience shows over and
to us and my experience shows over and over again that the perceptions we have
over again that the perceptions we have
over again that the perceptions we have of so-called deadly animals are just
of so-called deadly animals are just
of so-called deadly animals are just massively skewed and that things like
massively skewed and that things like
massively skewed and that things like crocodiles and big cats and snakes and
crocodiles and big cats and snakes and
crocodiles and big cats and snakes and spiders and scorpions within almost
spiders and scorpions within almost
spiders and scorpions within almost every single situation try and avoid a
every single situation try and avoid a
every single situation try and avoid a confrontation with human beings if they
confrontation with human beings if they
confrontation with human beings if they possibly can and there is no group of
possibly can and there is no group of
possibly can and there is no group of animals that that is more true about
animals that that is more true about
animals that that is more true about than the Sharks so the Sharks to me are
than the Sharks so the Sharks to me are
than the Sharks so the Sharks to me are the dream group of animals to work with
the dream group of animals to work with
the dream group of animals to work with because you perfectly play off that’s
because you perfectly play off that’s
because you perfectly play off that’s kind of that line between perception of
kind of that line between perception of
kind of that line between perception of risk and actual danger the second I get
risk and actual danger the second I get
risk and actual danger the second I get in the water with something like this
in the water with something like this
in the water with something like this people kind of assume that I’m going to
people kind of assume that I’m going to
people kind of assume that I’m going to get eaten but I know that actually I’m
get eaten but I know that actually I’m
get eaten but I know that actually I’m really comparatively safe and actually
really comparatively safe and actually
really comparatively safe and actually in actual fact I would be much more at
in actual fact I would be much more at
in actual fact I would be much more at risk if I was diving alongside a big
risk if I was diving alongside a big
risk if I was diving alongside a big male hello territorial sea lion than I
male hello territorial sea lion than I
male hello territorial sea lion than I would be an offside a big shark and this
would be an offside a big shark and this
would be an offside a big shark and this is not just my feeling not just my
is not just my feeling not just my
is not just my feeling not just my experience the statistics also bear this
experience the statistics also bear this
experience the statistics also bear this out so these are a few sort of overview
out so these are a few sort of overview
out so these are a few sort of overview statistics of shark attacks around the
statistics of shark attacks around the
statistics of shark attacks around the world to this side you can see that
world to this side you can see that
world to this side you can see that shark attacks have been rising since
shark attacks have been rising since
shark attacks have been rising since 1950 but only really in line with what
1950 but only really in line with what
1950 but only really in line with what you’d expect with the fact that the
you’d expect with the fact that the
you’d expect with the fact that the world’s population has tripled since
world’s population has tripled since
world’s population has tripled since then and if you look to the other side
then and if you look to the other side
then and if you look to the other side you can see a list of shark attacks over
you can see a list of shark attacks over
you can see a list of shark attacks over the last decade and to me the thing that
the last decade and to me the thing that
the last decade and to me the thing that really stands out is how few they are
really stands out is how few they are
really stands out is how few they are and if you look at them 2007 one fatal
and if you look at them 2007 one fatal
and if you look at them 2007 one fatal sharp attack around the world last year
sharp attack around the world last year
sharp attack around the world last year which was supposed to be a bad year for
which was supposed to be a bad year for
which was supposed to be a bad year for shark attacks for people around the
shark attacks for people around the
shark attacks for people around the world killed by sharks and a planet of
world killed by sharks and a planet of
world killed by sharks and a planet of seven billion people it is pretty much
seven billion people it is pretty much
seven billion people it is pretty much insignificant certainly when you
insignificant certainly when you
insignificant certainly when you consider that the World Health
consider that the World Health
consider that the World Health Organization says that diseases that are
Organization says that diseases that are
Organization says that diseases that are spread by mosquitoes might kill as many
spread by mosquitoes might kill as many
spread by mosquitoes might kill as many as a million people around the world
as a million people around the world
as a million people around the world every single year you are actually more
every single year you are actually more
every single year you are actually more likely to die falling out of bed or
likely to die falling out of bed or
likely to die falling out of bed or being crushed by a falling vending
being crushed by a falling vending
being crushed by a falling vending machine you are hundreds possibly
machine you are hundreds possibly
machine you are hundreds possibly thousands of times more likely to be
thousands of times more likely to be
thousands of times more likely to be killed by being struck by lightning Jack
killed by being struck by lightning Jack
killed by being struck by lightning Jack Bauer of 24 has killed more people than
Bauer of 24 has killed more people than
Bauer of 24 has killed more people than sharks have since the beginning of
sharks have since the beginning of
sharks have since the beginning of recorded time and for the last two years
recorded time and for the last two years
recorded time and for the last two years there have been more people killed
there have been more people killed
there have been more people killed taking selfies than West sharks and if
taking selfies than West sharks and if
taking selfies than West sharks and if this isn’t evidence of evolution by
this isn’t evidence of evolution by
this isn’t evidence of evolution by natural selection
natural selection
natural selection I don’t know what is so why then if
I don’t know what is so why then if
I don’t know what is so why then if these animals do us so little damage are
these animals do us so little damage are
these animals do us so little damage are they so omnipresent in our conscious are
they so omnipresent in our conscious are
they so omnipresent in our conscious are we so terrified of sharks because you
we so terrified of sharks because you
we so terrified of sharks because you know most of them kind of look like this
know most of them kind of look like this
know most of them kind of look like this and there’s certainly no danger to us
and there’s certainly no danger to us
and there’s certainly no danger to us although they do have a rather devilish
although they do have a rather devilish
although they do have a rather devilish set of mustaches most sharks are of no
set of mustaches most sharks are of no
set of mustaches most sharks are of no danger to us but really I think the
danger to us but really I think the
danger to us but really I think the media is the thing that’s that’s most to
media is the thing that’s that’s most to
media is the thing that’s that’s most to blame here you know ever since Jaws
blame here you know ever since Jaws
blame here you know ever since Jaws we’ve been taught over and over again
we’ve been taught over and over again
we’ve been taught over and over again that sharks are malicious man-eating
that sharks are malicious man-eating
that sharks are malicious man-eating monsters that aren’t out to get us and
monsters that aren’t out to get us and
monsters that aren’t out to get us and you know hurricane or a typhoon that may
you know hurricane or a typhoon that may
you know hurricane or a typhoon that may kill tens of thousands of people make
kill tens of thousands of people make
kill tens of thousands of people make flit across our front pages in a day or
flit across our front pages in a day or
flit across our front pages in a day or so but a surfer who punches a shark in
so but a surfer who punches a shark in
so but a surfer who punches a shark in the face and South Africa will be Global
the face and South Africa will be Global
the face and South Africa will be Global News for weeks because it’s a powerful
News for weeks because it’s a powerful
News for weeks because it’s a powerful story and it connects with how we view
story and it connects with how we view
story and it connects with how we view the media most effectively you know
the media most effectively you know
the media most effectively you know reconnect with individual stories and we
reconnect with individual stories and we
reconnect with individual stories and we connect with grand dramas and things
connect with grand dramas and things
connect with grand dramas and things that appeal to our sensor I guess primal
that appeal to our sensor I guess primal
that appeal to our sensor I guess primal fear and I guess that’s a very good
fear and I guess that’s a very good
fear and I guess that’s a very good reason why whenever you read things
reason why whenever you read things
reason why whenever you read things about animals in the press you should
about animals in the press you should
about animals in the press you should take it with a pinch of salt because you
take it with a pinch of salt because you
take it with a pinch of salt because you know journalists they kind of realize
know journalists they kind of realize
know journalists they kind of realize that wild animals don’t soon so they can
that wild animals don’t soon so they can
that wild animals don’t soon so they can write pretty much whatever they want
write pretty much whatever they want
write pretty much whatever they want about animals and it’s going to be
about animals and it’s going to be
about animals and it’s going to be absolutely fine for them this though is
absolutely fine for them this though is
absolutely fine for them this though is far more the image that I have as sharks
far more the image that I have as sharks
far more the image that I have as sharks of an animal of incredible
of an animal of incredible
of an animal of incredible stirring and Majesty an animal the
stirring and Majesty an animal the
stirring and Majesty an animal the smallest of which the dwarf lanternshark
smallest of which the dwarf lanternshark
smallest of which the dwarf lanternshark could fit in my pocket the largest the
could fit in my pocket the largest the
could fit in my pocket the largest the biggest fish on earth the whale shark
biggest fish on earth the whale shark
biggest fish on earth the whale shark would pretty much span this room and is
would pretty much span this room and is
would pretty much span this room and is completely harmless a filter feeder as
completely harmless a filter feeder as
completely harmless a filter feeder as is this the epaulette shark I mean the
is this the epaulette shark I mean the
is this the epaulette shark I mean the majority of species of shark kind of
majority of species of shark kind of
majority of species of shark kind of look like this the only danger they’re
look like this the only danger they’re
look like this the only danger they’re really going to be to us is if you were
really going to be to us is if you were
really going to be to us is if you were to trip over one and epaulette sharks
to trip over one and epaulette sharks
to trip over one and epaulette sharks they have this remarkable remarkable
they have this remarkable remarkable
they have this remarkable remarkable resource fulness the ability to walk
resource fulness the ability to walk
resource fulness the ability to walk across dry land using their their pelvic
across dry land using their their pelvic
across dry land using their their pelvic and pectoral fins to move to two bodies
and pectoral fins to move to two bodies
and pectoral fins to move to two bodies of water when when it dries up around
of water when when it dries up around
of water when when it dries up around them or this the the tasseled wobbegong
them or this the the tasseled wobbegong
them or this the the tasseled wobbegong which kind of looks a little bit like a
which kind of looks a little bit like a
which kind of looks a little bit like a shark that’s been run over and has this
shark that’s been run over and has this
shark that’s been run over and has this incredible cryptic camouflage blends in
incredible cryptic camouflage blends in
incredible cryptic camouflage blends in so beautifully with its environment and
so beautifully with its environment and
so beautifully with its environment and one stage further one that looks like
one stage further one that looks like
one stage further one that looks like it’s been actually run over by a
it’s been actually run over by a
it’s been actually run over by a steamroller would be the manta ray which
steamroller would be the manta ray which
steamroller would be the manta ray which you know is a part of the elasmobranchs
you know is a part of the elasmobranchs
you know is a part of the elasmobranchs the same group of animals of the sharks
the same group of animals of the sharks
the same group of animals of the sharks that obviously is no danger to us as
that obviously is no danger to us as
that obviously is no danger to us as human beings sharks have been around the
human beings sharks have been around the
human beings sharks have been around the planet for a very very long time at
planet for a very very long time at
planet for a very very long time at least 400 million years so around about
least 400 million years so around about
least 400 million years so around about 380 million years ago death acanthus was
380 million years ago death acanthus was
380 million years ago death acanthus was in our seas and it’s a little bit like
in our seas and it’s a little bit like
in our seas and it’s a little bit like someone’s glued a hairbrush to its back
someone’s glued a hairbrush to its back
someone’s glued a hairbrush to its back but there is an intriguing possibility
but there is an intriguing possibility
but there is an intriguing possibility this could be like a modern Remora or
this could be like a modern Remora or
this could be like a modern Remora or Suckerfish way of attaching itself to
Suckerfish way of attaching itself to
Suckerfish way of attaching itself to larger animals so get a free ride and
larger animals so get a free ride and
larger animals so get a free ride and possibly a free feed and Wikipedia have
possibly a free feed and Wikipedia have
possibly a free feed and Wikipedia have very kindly shown us the scale here how
very kindly shown us the scale here how
very kindly shown us the scale here how large said the campus is alongside one
large said the campus is alongside one
large said the campus is alongside one of the Charlie’s Angels obviously this
of the Charlie’s Angels obviously this
of the Charlie’s Angels obviously this was not a huge shark but if he fast
was not a huge shark but if he fast
was not a huge shark but if he fast forward to about 280 million years ago
forward to about 280 million years ago
forward to about 280 million years ago then there were some giant sharks in our
then there were some giant sharks in our
then there were some giant sharks in our seas things like this helico prime which
seas things like this helico prime which
seas things like this helico prime which looks a little bit like it’s trying to
looks a little bit like it’s trying to
looks a little bit like it’s trying to gargle a buzz saw and that tooth whirl
gargle a buzz saw and that tooth whirl
gargle a buzz saw and that tooth whirl is very well represented in the fossil
is very well represented in the fossil
is very well represented in the fossil record they can get to be larger than a
record they can get to be larger than a
record they can get to be larger than a dustbin lid and lead us to believe that
dustbin lid and lead us to believe that
dustbin lid and lead us to believe that helicoprion could have gotten to be 6
helicoprion could have gotten to be 6
helicoprion could have gotten to be 6 meters maybe even 10 meters in length so
meters maybe even 10 meters in length so
meters maybe even 10 meters in length so fast forward now to about 95 million
fast forward now to about 95 million
fast forward now to about 95 million years ago many things get things like
years ago many things get things like
years ago many things get things like parity our kiss if you look at where the
parity our kiss if you look at where the
parity our kiss if you look at where the Year the fins and the tail are aligned
Year the fins and the tail are aligned
Year the fins and the tail are aligned on this shark it’s almost identical to a
on this shark it’s almost identical to a
on this shark it’s almost identical to a modern zebra or leopard shark there is a
modern zebra or leopard shark there is a
modern zebra or leopard shark there is a misconception I guess the animals that
misconception I guess the animals that
misconception I guess the animals that have been around for a long
have been around for a long
have been around for a long time in pretty much their present form
time in pretty much their present form
time in pretty much their present form our throwbacks there they’re updated and
our throwbacks there they’re updated and
our throwbacks there they’re updated and that’s just not true
that’s just not true
that’s just not true evolution why natural selection works by
evolution why natural selection works by
evolution why natural selection works by tiny random mutations being preserved
tiny random mutations being preserved
tiny random mutations being preserved over time in an organism because they
over time in an organism because they
over time in an organism because they confer some small advantage that
confer some small advantage that
confer some small advantage that organism it’s the process that works
organism it’s the process that works
organism it’s the process that works fastest when the organism is under
fastest when the organism is under
fastest when the organism is under challenge from its environment but when
challenge from its environment but when
challenge from its environment but when it fits perfectly into its niche that
it fits perfectly into its niche that
it fits perfectly into its niche that process slows down sharks have for want
process slows down sharks have for want
process slows down sharks have for want of a better word been perfect in design
of a better word been perfect in design
of a better word been perfect in design for tens of millions of years and yes I
for tens of millions of years and yes I
for tens of millions of years and yes I realize that by using the word design in
realize that by using the word design in
realize that by using the word design in this talk I am going straight to
this talk I am going straight to
this talk I am going straight to biologists hell so the Sharks one of the
biologists hell so the Sharks one of the
biologists hell so the Sharks one of the things that really shows you that these
things that really shows you that these
things that really shows you that these are incredibly highly evolved animals is
are incredibly highly evolved animals is
are incredibly highly evolved animals is their their senses what you’re looking
their their senses what you’re looking
their their senses what you’re looking at here are the nares or nostrils of a
at here are the nares or nostrils of a
at here are the nares or nostrils of a shark they’re capable of smelling and a
shark they’re capable of smelling and a
shark they’re capable of smelling and a difference that has been diluted as much
difference that has been diluted as much
difference that has been diluted as much as a million times that’s often
as a million times that’s often
as a million times that’s often described as being a single drop of
described as being a single drop of
described as being a single drop of water in an Olympic swimming pool sized
water in an Olympic swimming pool sized
water in an Olympic swimming pool sized area of water sorry a single drop of
area of water sorry a single drop of
area of water sorry a single drop of blood in an Olympic sized swing full
blood in an Olympic sized swing full
blood in an Olympic sized swing full sized area of water running down the
sized area of water running down the
sized area of water running down the length of the animal is the lateral line
length of the animal is the lateral line
length of the animal is the lateral line which is a thin channel filled with very
which is a thin channel filled with very
which is a thin channel filled with very fine hairs called cilia those are so
fine hairs called cilia those are so
fine hairs called cilia those are so susceptible to movements in the water
susceptible to movements in the water
susceptible to movements in the water around us that these sharks can perceive
around us that these sharks can perceive
around us that these sharks can perceive the movements of fish that are long gone
the movements of fish that are long gone
the movements of fish that are long gone simply by the wake that they leave
simply by the wake that they leave
simply by the wake that they leave behind but these are nothing alongside
behind but these are nothing alongside
behind but these are nothing alongside what kind of looked like a bunch of
what kind of looked like a bunch of
what kind of looked like a bunch of highly squeezable black heads in the
highly squeezable black heads in the
highly squeezable black heads in the snout of this shark these are called the
snout of this shark these are called the
snout of this shark these are called the ampulla or ampullae of Lorenzini which
ampulla or ampullae of Lorenzini which
ampulla or ampullae of Lorenzini which under sounds a little bit like treasure
under sounds a little bit like treasure
under sounds a little bit like treasure on a sunken italian galleon but they are
on a sunken italian galleon but they are
on a sunken italian galleon but they are highly susceptible to weak electrical
highly susceptible to weak electrical
highly susceptible to weak electrical fields and to electromagnetism it’s
fields and to electromagnetism it’s
fields and to electromagnetism it’s actually a pore that’s filled with jelly
actually a pore that’s filled with jelly
actually a pore that’s filled with jelly and at the base of matter is a bundle of
and at the base of matter is a bundle of
and at the base of matter is a bundle of nerve endings and they’re so sensitive
nerve endings and they’re so sensitive
nerve endings and they’re so sensitive they can pick up the weak electrical
they can pick up the weak electrical
they can pick up the weak electrical fields that are created by the beating
fields that are created by the beating
fields that are created by the beating heart of their prey even if it’s buried
heart of their prey even if it’s buried
heart of their prey even if it’s buried on the seabed they can also use them for
on the seabed they can also use them for
on the seabed they can also use them for for navigating using the world’s
for navigating using the world’s
for navigating using the world’s magnetic field and because they are so
magnetic field and because they are so
magnetic field and because they are so sensitive sharks are really intrigued by
sensitive sharks are really intrigued by
sensitive sharks are really intrigued by our cameras and our microphones
our cameras and our microphones
our cameras and our microphones underwater and over and again they’ll
underwater and over and again they’ll
underwater and over and again they’ll swim up and they’ll stick their snout
swim up and they’ll stick their snout
swim up and they’ll stick their snout right into the lens of your camera
right into the lens of your camera
right into the lens of your camera sometimes a little bit too close for
sometimes a little bit too close for
sometimes a little bit too close for comfort
comfort
comfort and it kind of scenes that the ampullae
and it kind of scenes that the ampullae
and it kind of scenes that the ampullae of Lorenzini are almost like a shark
of Lorenzini are almost like a shark
of Lorenzini are almost like a shark erogenous saying so this blue shark here
erogenous saying so this blue shark here
erogenous saying so this blue shark here which I’m hoping is gonna pop up in a
which I’m hoping is gonna pop up in a
which I’m hoping is gonna pop up in a second is this blue shark here is not
second is this blue shark here is not
second is this blue shark here is not actually trying to bite me it is in fact
actually trying to bite me it is in fact
actually trying to bite me it is in fact getting me to stroke it so over and over
getting me to stroke it so over and over
getting me to stroke it so over and over again this blue shark was swimming
again this blue shark was swimming
again this blue shark was swimming around in the water and putting its
around in the water and putting its
around in the water and putting its snout up into my hand almost going go on
snout up into my hand almost going go on
snout up into my hand almost going go on just just run and if you just rub on the
just just run and if you just rub on the
just just run and if you just rub on the snout for a little while you can see
snout for a little while you can see
snout for a little while you can see them kind of going oh so nice that’s
them kind of going oh so nice that’s
them kind of going oh so nice that’s just great and eventually they just go
just great and eventually they just go
just great and eventually they just go to sleep and this is is very well known
to sleep and this is is very well known
to sleep and this is is very well known in sharks it’s called tonic immobility
in sharks it’s called tonic immobility
in sharks it’s called tonic immobility and biologists have learned that simply
and biologists have learned that simply
and biologists have learned that simply by stroking the snout of a shark or by
by stroking the snout of a shark or by
by stroking the snout of a shark or by bending its pins or by flipping it over
bending its pins or by flipping it over
bending its pins or by flipping it over onto its back a shark will go completely
onto its back a shark will go completely
onto its back a shark will go completely catatonic it will lie in the state for
catatonic it will lie in the state for
catatonic it will lie in the state for as much as 15 minutes and it’s it’s a
as much as 15 minutes and it’s it’s a
as much as 15 minutes and it’s it’s a fantastic way for biologists to be able
fantastic way for biologists to be able
fantastic way for biologists to be able to study sharks to take samples to
to study sharks to take samples to
to study sharks to take samples to measure them to even even sample what’s
measure them to even even sample what’s
measure them to even even sample what’s in their stomachs without the animal
in their stomachs without the animal
in their stomachs without the animal exhibiting any stress whatsoever and
exhibiting any stress whatsoever and
exhibiting any stress whatsoever and that just gets up swims on and carries
that just gets up swims on and carries
that just gets up swims on and carries on with its day this is something that
on with its day this is something that
on with its day this is something that we did in the Bahamas with we may
we did in the Bahamas with we may
we did in the Bahamas with we may different kinds of sharks including
different kinds of sharks including
different kinds of sharks including lemon shark pups and they’re kind of
lemon shark pups and they’re kind of
lemon shark pups and they’re kind of cute I mean when you’re working with
cute I mean when you’re working with
cute I mean when you’re working with these animals it is the absolute
these animals it is the absolute
these animals it is the absolute antithesis of I think what people expect
antithesis of I think what people expect
antithesis of I think what people expect to see from sharks and I guess it’s
to see from sharks and I guess it’s
to see from sharks and I guess it’s probably quite easy to convince you that
probably quite easy to convince you that
probably quite easy to convince you that a lemon shark pup is harmless a little
a lemon shark pup is harmless a little
a lemon shark pup is harmless a little bit harder when you’re talking about a
bit harder when you’re talking about a
bit harder when you’re talking about a great white which is obviously the most
great white which is obviously the most
great white which is obviously the most iconic animal on the planet and this is
iconic animal on the planet and this is
iconic animal on the planet and this is an animal that’s bristling with teeth
an animal that’s bristling with teeth
an animal that’s bristling with teeth and has this era of Menace about it but
and has this era of Menace about it but
and has this era of Menace about it but believe it or not you can in ideal
believe it or not you can in ideal
believe it or not you can in ideal circumstances swim alongside a great
circumstances swim alongside a great
circumstances swim alongside a great white shark
white shark
white shark now clearly I’m not suggesting that they
now clearly I’m not suggesting that they
now clearly I’m not suggesting that they are harmless to us as human beings that
are harmless to us as human beings that
are harmless to us as human beings that would be ridiculous and there is no way
would be ridiculous and there is no way
would be ridiculous and there is no way that I would ever consider swimming
that I would ever consider swimming
that I would ever consider swimming alongside a Cape fur seal colony in in
alongside a Cape fur seal colony in in
alongside a Cape fur seal colony in in murky water at dawn or dusk off the
murky water at dawn or dusk off the
murky water at dawn or dusk off the coast of South Africa but here in
coast of South Africa but here in
coast of South Africa but here in Guadalupe off the coast of Mexico where
Guadalupe off the coast of Mexico where
Guadalupe off the coast of Mexico where the water is crystal clear and the
the water is crystal clear and the
the water is crystal clear and the Sharks can see you you can swim along
Sharks can see you you can swim along
Sharks can see you you can swim along to begin with what you do is you go down
to begin with what you do is you go down
to begin with what you do is you go down from the safety of a shark diving cage
from the safety of a shark diving cage
from the safety of a shark diving cage and you look out into the water and what
and you look out into the water and what
and you look out into the water and what you’re doing is you’re trying to assess
you’re doing is you’re trying to assess
you’re doing is you’re trying to assess the individual characteristics the
the individual characteristics the
the individual characteristics the personalities of individual sharks if it
personalities of individual sharks if it
personalities of individual sharks if it sounds a bit nuts to be trying to figure
sounds a bit nuts to be trying to figure
sounds a bit nuts to be trying to figure out what’s going on inside a fish’s head
out what’s going on inside a fish’s head
out what’s going on inside a fish’s head you can do it and to a certain extent
you can do it and to a certain extent
you can do it and to a certain extent they give away their intentions from how
they give away their intentions from how
they give away their intentions from how they hold themselves in the water so if
they hold themselves in the water so if
they hold themselves in the water so if you have a shark that has its pectoral
you have a shark that has its pectoral
you have a shark that has its pectoral fins drop down below it into this
fins drop down below it into this
fins drop down below it into this position its back arched its mouth open
position its back arched its mouth open
position its back arched its mouth open its gills billowing and its movements
its gills billowing and its movements
its gills billowing and its movements are kind of angular or erratic then that
are kind of angular or erratic then that
are kind of angular or erratic then that one is prime for predatory action and
one is prime for predatory action and
one is prime for predatory action and you stay inside the cage but if all of
you stay inside the cage but if all of
you stay inside the cage but if all of those things are reversed then we’re
those things are reversed then we’re
those things are reversed then we’re learning now after hundreds of hours
learning now after hundreds of hours
learning now after hundreds of hours underwater these animals you can swim
underwater these animals you can swim
underwater these animals you can swim out alongside men in clear water where
out alongside men in clear water where
out alongside men in clear water where there is no chance of the misidentifying
there is no chance of the misidentifying
there is no chance of the misidentifying of them thinking that you’re something
of them thinking that you’re something
of them thinking that you’re something else
else
else they’ll just swim around you they will
they’ll just swim around you they will
they’ll just swim around you they will completely ignore you they could not be
completely ignore you they could not be
completely ignore you they could not be less interested in you their senses are
less interested in you their senses are
less interested in you their senses are so well developed
so well developed
so well developed they know what’s food in the water they
they know what’s food in the water they
they know what’s food in the water they know it’s not you and they won’t
know it’s not you and they won’t
know it’s not you and they won’t actively avoid you and it’s not just
actively avoid you and it’s not just
actively avoid you and it’s not just great whites we’ve done this with we’ve
great whites we’ve done this with we’ve
great whites we’ve done this with we’ve done this with every single species of
done this with every single species of
done this with every single species of shark that is considered to be dangerous
shark that is considered to be dangerous
shark that is considered to be dangerous to human beings with with bull sharks
to human beings with with bull sharks
to human beings with with bull sharks tiger sharks great hammerheads Makos
tiger sharks great hammerheads Makos
tiger sharks great hammerheads Makos blues and we’ve also discovered the same
blues and we’ve also discovered the same
blues and we’ve also discovered the same thing with all of those species too
thing with all of those species too
thing with all of those species too however in the same one year that we
however in the same one year that we
however in the same one year that we human beings loose fewer than 10 people
human beings loose fewer than 10 people
human beings loose fewer than 10 people around the world two sharks we humans
around the world two sharks we humans
around the world two sharks we humans are taking as many as a hundred million
are taking as many as a hundred million
are taking as many as a hundred million sharks from the world’s oceans
sharks from the world’s oceans
sharks from the world’s oceans potentially 73 million of those will
potentially 73 million of those will
potentially 73 million of those will merely have their fins removed and then
merely have their fins removed and then
merely have their fins removed and then the body of the shark will be dropped
the body of the shark will be dropped
the body of the shark will be dropped back into the water and wasted and it
back into the water and wasted and it
back into the water and wasted and it has to be one of the most profligate
has to be one of the most profligate
has to be one of the most profligate most most wasteful forms of hunting and
most most wasteful forms of hunting and
most most wasteful forms of hunting and fishing on earth it’s kind of the
fishing on earth it’s kind of the
fishing on earth it’s kind of the equivalent of killing a cow purely to
equivalent of killing a cow purely to
equivalent of killing a cow purely to put its tail into a soup and that is
put its tail into a soup and that is
put its tail into a soup and that is what’s happening with sharks so the the
what’s happening with sharks so the the
what’s happening with sharks so the the fins are brought back to harbor they’re
fins are brought back to harbor they’re
fins are brought back to harbor they’re dried they’re sent around the world and
dried they’re sent around the world and
dried they’re sent around the world and they’re used primarily as an ingredient
they’re used primarily as an ingredient
they’re used primarily as an ingredient in a soup which is served at weddings
in a soup which is served at weddings
in a soup which is served at weddings and at festivals and this is its most
and at festivals and this is its most
and at festivals and this is its most common in places like Indonesia Taiwan
common in places like Indonesia Taiwan
common in places like Indonesia Taiwan the Philippines China and it is
the Philippines China and it is
the Philippines China and it is something which is causing a
something which is causing a
something which is causing a called critical overfishing of sharks it
called critical overfishing of sharks it
called critical overfishing of sharks it is entirely possible that we could lose
is entirely possible that we could lose
is entirely possible that we could lose sharks from our world’s oceans inside
sharks from our world’s oceans inside
sharks from our world’s oceans inside our lifetimes and that to me seems
our lifetimes and that to me seems
our lifetimes and that to me seems something that we really have to do
something that we really have to do
something that we really have to do something about because to completely
something about because to completely
something about because to completely lose an apex predator from an
lose an apex predator from an
lose an apex predator from an environment we have no idea what the
environment we have no idea what the
environment we have no idea what the knock-on effects will be but chances are
knock-on effects will be but chances are
knock-on effects will be but chances are it’s gonna be bad this here is the
it’s gonna be bad this here is the
it’s gonna be bad this here is the oceanic whitetip shark it’s a close
oceanic whitetip shark it’s a close
oceanic whitetip shark it’s a close cousin of the great white it was once
cousin of the great white it was once
cousin of the great white it was once called the lesser white shark and this
called the lesser white shark and this
called the lesser white shark and this animal would once have been the most
animal would once have been the most
animal would once have been the most widespread and the most numerous large
widespread and the most numerous large
widespread and the most numerous large predator on the planet but in recent
predator on the planet but in recent
predator on the planet but in recent years as much as 98% of its numbers have
years as much as 98% of its numbers have
years as much as 98% of its numbers have completely disappeared this is a shark
completely disappeared this is a shark
completely disappeared this is a shark that we could easily lose within the
that we could easily lose within the
that we could easily lose within the next decades so what are going to do
next decades so what are going to do
next decades so what are going to do about it well there’s lots of potential
about it well there’s lots of potential
about it well there’s lots of potential ways we can address it first and
ways we can address it first and
ways we can address it first and foremost I think getting involved with
foremost I think getting involved with
foremost I think getting involved with some of the NGOs and the charities that
some of the NGOs and the charities that
some of the NGOs and the charities that are that are seeking to bring in
are that are seeking to bring in
are that are seeking to bring in legislation say for example the shark
legislation say for example the shark
legislation say for example the shark trust have a wonderful campaign called
trust have a wonderful campaign called
trust have a wonderful campaign called no limits no future which is is trying
no limits no future which is is trying
no limits no future which is is trying to impose quotas on how many sharks that
to impose quotas on how many sharks that
to impose quotas on how many sharks that are caught I mean after all you know
are caught I mean after all you know
are caught I mean after all you know there are limits on how much cod or
there are limits on how much cod or
there are limits on how much cod or halibut or or or tuna we catch there
halibut or or or tuna we catch there
halibut or or or tuna we catch there should be limits on how many sharks we
should be limits on how many sharks we
should be limits on how many sharks we take in the world’s oceans as well and
take in the world’s oceans as well and
take in the world’s oceans as well and they’re trying to bring in legislation
they’re trying to bring in legislation
they’re trying to bring in legislation so that people fishermen can only bring
so that people fishermen can only bring
so that people fishermen can only bring in sharks to Harbor if their fins are
in sharks to Harbor if their fins are
in sharks to Harbor if their fins are still attached to the bodies it makes a
still attached to the bodies it makes a
still attached to the bodies it makes a massive massive difference of economics
massive massive difference of economics
massive massive difference of economics and to whether fishermen actually
and to whether fishermen actually
and to whether fishermen actually actively target sharks if they’re
actively target sharks if they’re
actively target sharks if they’re allowed to bring just back the fins or
allowed to bring just back the fins or
allowed to bring just back the fins or if they have to bring back the entire
if they have to bring back the entire
if they have to bring back the entire animal we can engage with charities like
animal we can engage with charities like
animal we can engage with charities like bite back who are doing their best to
bite back who are doing their best to
bite back who are doing their best to try and have shark fin soup banned and
try and have shark fin soup banned and
try and have shark fin soup banned and hearing this country that’s something we
hearing this country that’s something we
hearing this country that’s something we I think definitely can achieve I mean
I think definitely can achieve I mean
I think definitely can achieve I mean there are there are probably only 30
there are there are probably only 30
there are there are probably only 30 restaurants left now in the UK and I’m
restaurants left now in the UK and I’m
restaurants left now in the UK and I’m pretty sure that we can do a job of
pretty sure that we can do a job of
pretty sure that we can do a job of trying to get the the shark fin soup
trying to get the the shark fin soup
trying to get the the shark fin soup banned and also import allowances so you
banned and also import allowances so you
banned and also import allowances so you can bring a liter of tequila into the UK
can bring a liter of tequila into the UK
can bring a liter of tequila into the UK 20 kilos of shark fin that just doesn’t
20 kilos of shark fin that just doesn’t
20 kilos of shark fin that just doesn’t make any sense is something we
make any sense is something we
make any sense is something we definitely have to address but some
definitely have to address but some
definitely have to address but some there was a guy on here just a little
there was a guy on here just a little
there was a guy on here just a little while ago who is talking about
while ago who is talking about
while ago who is talking about influences who’s talking about the
influences who’s talking about the
influences who’s talking about the people that have the biggest I guess
people that have the biggest I guess
people that have the biggest I guess influence on how we live our lives and
influence on how we live our lives and
influence on how we live our lives and what I’ve done is I’ve compiled a
what I’ve done is I’ve compiled a
what I’ve done is I’ve compiled a list of the top hundred people in the
list of the top hundred people in the
list of the top hundred people in the countries that consume the most shark
countries that consume the most shark
countries that consume the most shark fin soup and I’m putting this list up on
fin soup and I’m putting this list up on
fin soup and I’m putting this list up on my Facebook site and on my website as
my Facebook site and on my website as
my Facebook site and on my website as well and my idea is that something that
well and my idea is that something that
well and my idea is that something that we could do from our living rooms from
we could do from our living rooms from
we could do from our living rooms from our lounges would be to get in touch
our lounges would be to get in touch
our lounges would be to get in touch with these people to try and connect
with these people to try and connect
with these people to try and connect with them and see if they will send out
with them and see if they will send out
with them and see if they will send out a message to their followers their
a message to their followers their
a message to their followers their followers encompass at least a half of
followers encompass at least a half of
followers encompass at least a half of the population of the world if we could
the population of the world if we could
the population of the world if we could for example tweet this talk or tweet
for example tweet this talk or tweet
for example tweet this talk or tweet some other messages about sharks and
some other messages about sharks and
some other messages about sharks and addressing the balance of rebranding
addressing the balance of rebranding
addressing the balance of rebranding these animals then potentially we could
these animals then potentially we could
these animals then potentially we could make a massive difference if we could
make a massive difference if we could
make a massive difference if we could change people’s attitudes then
change people’s attitudes then
change people’s attitudes then potentially we could change behavior and
potentially we could change behavior and
potentially we could change behavior and we could stem the demand in this trade
we could stem the demand in this trade
we could stem the demand in this trade which is not sustainable which cannot
which is not sustainable which cannot
which is not sustainable which cannot continue on into the future and the last
continue on into the future and the last
continue on into the future and the last image that I’d like to leave you with is
image that I’d like to leave you with is
image that I’d like to leave you with is this one I’d like you to look at this
this one I’d like you to look at this
this one I’d like you to look at this image and see not a potential maneater
image and see not a potential maneater
image and see not a potential maneater not a terrifying malicious man-eating
not a terrifying malicious man-eating
not a terrifying malicious man-eating monster but instead a pregnant mother
monster but instead a pregnant mother
monster but instead a pregnant mother see a female that will have to get to be
see a female that will have to get to be
see a female that will have to get to be older than we do as human beings before
older than we do as human beings before
older than we do as human beings before it reaches sexual maturity a female who
it reaches sexual maturity a female who
it reaches sexual maturity a female who will carry that youngster for longer
will carry that youngster for longer
will carry that youngster for longer than a human mother would carry who
than a human mother would carry who
than a human mother would carry who might travel thousands of miles to get
might travel thousands of miles to get
might travel thousands of miles to get to safe seas to give birth to its young
to safe seas to give birth to its young
to safe seas to give birth to its young an animal that is listed as at least
an animal that is listed as at least
an animal that is listed as at least vulnerable in some parts of its range is
vulnerable in some parts of its range is
vulnerable in some parts of its range is critically endangered that is less
critically endangered that is less
critically endangered that is less danger to us as human beings but than a
danger to us as human beings but than a
danger to us as human beings but than a honeybee than a Labrador than a Frisian
honeybee than a Labrador than a Frisian
honeybee than a Labrador than a Frisian cow or than a prawn I want you to see
cow or than a prawn I want you to see
cow or than a prawn I want you to see this as an animal that’s been around on
this as an animal that’s been around on
this as an animal that’s been around on our planet or it’s its kind have been
our planet or it’s its kind have been
our planet or it’s its kind have been around on our planet for hundreds of
around on our planet for hundreds of
around on our planet for hundreds of millions of years and yet could
millions of years and yet could
millions of years and yet could disappear in our lifetimes unless we do
disappear in our lifetimes unless we do
disappear in our lifetimes unless we do something about it thank you so so much
something about it thank you so so much
something about it thank you so so much for listening
for listening
for listening [Applause]
”
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