Description:

You can never really predict what will happen on a dive, especially when encountering a predator like the oceanic white-tip shark. Senior Research Scientist Dr. Oliver Shipley shares how one of his early experiences with these formidable creatures off Eleuthera Island cemented his passion for a career in shark science. Due to their bold personality and predatory nature, we discuss why it is so crucial to keep calm and exude confidence when in their presence.

No matter your level of experience, working with sharks is always a game of Russian Roulette. Sometimes we need unspoken cooperation with our teammates to stay safe in the water. Jamie shares her experience fending off bull sharks with nothing but a GoPro and a PVC pipe, keeping them out of range of our film crew while producing a shoot for Nora en Pure. These moments are what create trust and community within our team at Beneath The Waves and build long-lasting friendships in every expedition. 

 

Key Takeaways:

[1:20] Introducing Dr. Oliver Shipley

[2:34] Growing up in Scotland visiting Troon Beach 

[4:30] Realizing that Marine Biology was a potential career path 

[6:00] Discovering his passion while studying sharks on Eleuthera Island 

[7:55] Meeting Oliver  

[10:45] Capturing the iconic Photograph of “Mabel” the Tiger shark 

[11:45] Tagging and Tracking Mabel 

[13:20] Smooth seas never make a good sailor 

[15:00] Swimming with the formidable oceanic white-tip shark 

[20:45] When shark diving starts feeling like Russian Roulette 

[23:40] Sharks can sense when you’re uneasy so you need to maintain confidence in the water

[24:25]Fending off bull sharks with nothing but a GoPro and PVC pipe 

[27:35] Filming the hammerhead sharks with Nora En Pure 

[28:05] Who is the safety diver of the safety diver?! 

[29:30] Relocating to areas with more research opportunities 

[31:10] If you want the great reward you have to put in the risk 

[32:15] How shark diving can deepen your connection to the ocean and nature itself 

[35:18] Moving from the land of football to the land of soccer 

[41:05] Predicting the World Cup: a friendly feud  

[43:50] Excited to attend the Climate Change Conference in Egypt this November 

[44:52] Getting Lithium Ion Batteries through Saudi Customs 

 

Where to Find the Guests:

Dr. Austin Gallagher: CEO: https://www.austingallagher.com/

Jamie Fitzgerald: Managing Director: https://www.instagram.com/jamielfitzgerald/?hl=en

Sami Kattan: Media Director:  https://www.nomadcreative.org/about

Dr. Oliver Shipley: Senior Research Scientist: https://olivershipley.weebly.com/

 

Memorable Quotes:

 

“The toughest days in the field always yield the most interesting results and I get more attached to those data points and what we’re doing on those days is more memorable for me.”  [20:35] -Dr. Austin Gallagher

 

“These things are like, I don't know, like fighter jets. They come at you from all different directions like this real pack mentality and so you’re kind of having to look below you, look behind you, look left and right, look forwards and they come right up as well, they do not care, they are so bold.” [25:25] -Dr. Oliver Shipley

 

“You can’t control sharks. That’s the biggest thing I’ve actually come to learn more over the years, is that you can still put bait in the water, with you diving with them and try to manage the situation but you still can’t control the animal they are going to do what they want to.” [28:53] -Dr. Austin Gallagher

 

“If you get in the water feeling weird and dicey, either if that’s psychologically or if the shark is sensing it, it’s gonna kinda spiral downward. You know you need to be a presence in that water.” [31:57]   -Sami Kattan

 

“You have to be like 360 vision all the time, thinking about what sharks are gonna do but if you’re a camera operator or the model in the shot, which is what the 3 of them were, you can’t focus on anything but the task at hand, so I’m there trying to make sure they’re safe and keep the bull sharks out of the shot.”  [35:04] -Jamie Fitzgerald