Shark Stories

As I say goodbye for this season, I take to social media to ask for your answers to these questions and as usual, the results don’t disappoint. 

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This is the second episode I have done about shark first aid, the first one acting as an extension to my surfing guide to sharks… and this one expanding on the topic to not only focus on potential attacks of surfers, but those we face in the shark tourism industry as well. Joined once again by Benjamin Crook… clinical nurse educator in emergency and creator of the ED jam medical podcast, we're going to run through some of the things you need to know… about shark attack first aid…

ED jam podcast:

https://open.spotify.com/show/6YIYojOqLWI5twHHajZrsU?si=ec6492d85ed9428e

Videos 

Tac MED video on how to apply a tourniquet 

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/zvx6LGR98dA

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/zvx6LGR98dA 

First aid kits 

https://tacmedaustralia.com.au/products/operator-ifak-kit?variant=43597288776&country=AU¤cy=AUD&utm_medium=product_sync&utm_source=google&utm_content=sag_organic&utm_campaign=sag_organic&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=16926729736&gbraid=0AAAAADjEEaayH9SM_nYsensJeih3ScQ6V&gclid=CjwKCAjw24vBBhABEiwANFG7y_dEKWiR_Yd9dsPMYgDe_grPMIax4gXWVtYtkSBoQ57J1-vxHoynlBoCWxQQAvD_BwE

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A groundbreaking study titled Prevalence of Endangered Shark Trophies In
Automated Detection of Online Trade sheds light on the alarming online trade of
endangered shark species right under our noses. Tune in for an insight into how you may have endangered shark species in your everyday life without even realizing it, and tune in to the end of the episode for a powerful call to action and ways to become involved.

Vic Hislop sells a Great White
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3368592/Queensland-shark-hunter-Vic-
Hislop-sells-frozen-great-white-shark-30-000.html

Prevalence of endangered shark trophies in automated detection of the online
wildlife trade
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0006320725000291

Off the shelf: Shark Cartilage supplements and the truth
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-mw3BbWgslY

Spencer's social media
@Fish_defender

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In the thrilling second instalment of our Megalodon series, PhD palaeontologist Jack Cooper returns to dive deeper into the legend and science of the Megalodon,
debunking myths, exploring its extinction, and revealing what this ancient apex
predator can teach us about modern shark conservation.
Jack’s website: https://www.drjackacooper.com/

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@projecthiu    www.projecthiu.com   @sharkgirlmadison

In today’s very special episode, I sit down with my partner, Tanner, to discuss how his attempt to save sharks and do the right thing nearly landed him in jail. We recorded this episode a week after learning that Tanner had been pardoned by President Donald Trump.

In August 2020, Tanner Mansell, a crew member on a shark-diving charter boat off the coast of Jupiter, Florida, came across a longline fishing setup approximately three miles offshore. Believing it to be part of an illegal operation, Tanner and the boat’s captain, John Moore, freed 19 sharks and a giant grouper that had been caught on the line. They reported the incident to state wildlife officials and brought the fishing gear back to shore.

Unbeknownst to them, the longline belonged to a licensed fisherman. As a result, federal prosecutors charged Mansell and Moore with theft of property within special maritime jurisdiction—a federal felony.

Book a trip with Tanner
https://www.tannerunderwater.com

And follow his social media, @tannerunderwater

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@projecthiu    www.projecthiu.com   @sharkgirlmadison

In this episode, we dive into the ongoing debate about whether shark populations are truly booming or if this claim is based on misconceptions. With growing concerns from fishermen, particularly in the U.S. and viral discussions on social media, we explore whether sharks are increasing in numbers or simply recovering to historical baseline levels. Joining the conversation is marine ecologist and investigative journalist Spencer Roberts, who provides insights into the factors fuelling the "shark overpopulation" hysteria. Tune in for an evidence-based look at shark conservation, media narratives, and what’s really happening in our oceans.

The Great American Shark Slaughter
Stop Shark Poaching (video, petition, thread)

Pelagic shark declines:

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-020-03173-9

Deep-sea shark declines:
https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.ade9121

Coastal shark declines:
https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.1079777Deep-sea

Only shark sanctuaries have seen shark mortality decrease:
https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.adf8984

Catch and release laws aren't enough to save sharks:
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/faf.12892

Note:  Within minute 41:00 of today’s episode, Spencer said NOAA but was talking about FWC. Please don’t panic, we’re aware. Carry on. 

Support the show

@projecthiu    www.projecthiu.com   @sharkgirlmadison

In this episode, we dive into the ongoing debate about whether shark populations are truly booming or if this claim is based on misconceptions. With growing concerns from fishermen, particularly in the U.S. and viral discussions on social media, we explore whether sharks are increasing in numbers or simply recovering to historical baseline levels. Joining the conversation is marine ecologist and investigative journalist Spencer Roberts, who provides insights into the factors fueling the "shark overpopulation" hysteria. Tune in for an evidence-based look at shark conservation, media narratives, and what’s really happening in our oceans.

The Great American Shark Slaughter
Stop Shark Poaching (video, petition, thread)

Pelagic shark declines:

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-020-03173-9

Deep sea shark declines:
https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.ade9121

Coastal shark declines:
https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.1079777Deep-sea

Only shark sanctuaries have seen shark mortality decrease:
https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.adf8984

Catch and release laws aren't enough to save sharks:
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/faf.12892

Note:  Within minute 41:00 of today’s episode, Spencer said NOAA but was talking about FWC. Please don’t panic, we’re aware. Carry on. 

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This episode is ideal for anyone pursuing a career in marine biology as we sit down with Richard Fitzpatrick, an Australian marine biologist, award-winning cinematographer, and shark expert. Based in Queensland, he has spent decades studying marine life, particularly sharks and other large predators, contributing to scientific research and conservation efforts. Fitzpatrick is well known for his work with National Geographic, the BBC, and Discovery Channel, where his stunning underwater cinematography has brought the ocean’s most fascinating creatures to global audiences. As a key researcher at the Australian Institute of Marine Science, he’s also played a crucial role in tagging and tracking sharks to better understand their behaviour and migration patterns. His passion for marine conservation and storytelling has made him a leading voice in ocean preservation.

Check out on instagram @biopixeloceans

Web is biopixeloceans.org

Shark Tracking website: Biotracker.org

Read the book: https://www.amazon.com/Shark-Tracker-Confessions-Underwater-Cameraman/dp/1742234933 

* Butler, F., Holcomb, J. B., Dorlac, W., Gurney, J., Inaba, K., Jacobs, L., ... & Danyliuk, O. (2024). Who needs a tourniquet? And who does not? Lessons learned from a review of tourniquet use in the Russo-Ukrainian war. Journal of Trauma and Acute Care Surgery, 97(2S), S45-S54.

Link to articleWho needs a tourniquet? And who does not? Lessons learned... : Journal of Trauma and Acute Care Surgery 

* Dupuy, C., Martinez, T., Duranteau, O., Gauss, T., Kapandji, N., Pasqueron, J., ... & TraumaBase Group®. (2025). Comparison of the lethal triad and the lethal diamond in severe trauma patients: a multicenter cohort. World Journal of Emergency Surgery, 20(1), 2. Link to article https://www.researchsquare.com/article/rs-5434464/v1

* Goralnick, E., Chaudhary, M. A., McCarty, J. C., Caterson, E. J., Goldberg, S. A., Herrera-Escobar, J. P., ... & Haider, A. H. (2018). Effectiveness of instructional interventions for hemorrhage control readiness for laypersons in the public access and tourniquet training study (PATTS): a randomized clinical trial. JAMA surgery, 153(9), 791-799.https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6583882/

* Hicks. C.(2020). Trauma! Extremity Arterial Hemorrhage.Life in the Fast-lane. Retreived on the 20th April 2025 from Trauma! Extremity Arterial Hemorrhage

* Holcomb, J. B., Dorlac, W. C., Drew, B. G., Butler, F. K., Gurney, J. M., Montgomery, H. R., ... & Linchevskyy, O. (2023). Rethinking limb tourniquet conversion in the prehospital environment. Journal of Trauma and Acute Care Surgery, 95(6), e54-e60.Rethinking limb tourniquet conversion in the prehospital environment - PMC

* Kragh Jr, J. F., Wallum, T. E., Aden III, J. K., Dubick, M. A., & Baer, D. G. (2015). Which improvised tourniquet windlasses work well and which ones won’t?. Wilderness & Environmental Medicine, 26(3), 401-405.

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Welcome back to Shark Stories! After a long break, join us for a good old-fashioned rant as I ask my social media following to tell me… has social media screwed our sharks? In this episode, I read your answers and give you my personal take on the issues. From redirecting shark videos to recreational shark fishing, has social media screwed our sharks? 

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The one shark we all wish was still with us… well, maybe not all of u: The Megalodon. The only thing left of this revered species is its fossilized teeth, which scientists use to measure its total length… It's been the subject of horror films and conspiracy theories but the evidence of its disappearance is perhaps the scariest thing of all. 

Using advanced scientific methods, we are able to estimate how they hunted, what they hunted, their evolution based on their teeth alone, and even what they looked like. This episode offers an insight into the largest shark to have ever lived, the Megalodon shark.

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Cover Art by photographer Tanner Mansell

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