Can people and sharks safely share the same waters?

In this episode of Series 2, host Mark Stokes-Packer speaks with Dr Adi Barash, marine biologist, shark researcher, and founder of Sharks in Israel. Together, they explore an unusual shark hotspot, where aggregations of Dusky and Sandbar Sharks gather near coastal power plants.

Adi explains how these shark aggregations were first discovered, what attracts the sharks to the area, and how years of research have helped reveal their behaviour. As more people become aware of the phenomenon, the site has become increasingly popular with divers, swimmers, and wildlife enthusiasts, creating new challenges for both shark conservation and public safety.

The conversation also explores a tragic shark bite incident that occurred in Israel in 2025. Adi shares the wider context surrounding the event, including environmental conditions, human behaviour, increasing visitor numbers, and the lessons that can help reduce risk in the future.

From recovering shark populations and citizen science to wildlife management and responsible behaviour, this episode examines what true coexistence looks like when people and sharks share the same space.

Please like, share, subscribe, and leave a comment. If you have a question about Living with Sharks, drop it below and we can answer it in a future episode. Or email [email protected].

Follow Dr Adi Barash:

LinkedIn
Sharks in Israel website

Sharks in Israel Facebook
MECO Project

Follow the Shark Trust:
Instagram
Facebook
LinkedIn

YouTube

Support our work by becoming a member, adopt a shark, donating, or taking part in our citizen science projects. You can do all of this by visiting sharktrust.org.

Series 2 sponsored by SurfEars.

Artwork by rev.01 Studio.
Video and sound editing by Louis Hogan.
Research and planning by Cat Gordon and Mark Stokes-Packer.

Thank you for listening to the Shark Trust Podcast!

Our short documentary "Living with Sharks: In the Bahamas" is available on YouTube.

Chapters
00:26 Meet Dr Adi Barash
02:33 From Sea Turtles to Shark Research
06:06 The Sharks and Rays of Israel
10:01 Living with Sharks in Israel
15:22 What Attracts Sharks to the Area?
16:48 People, Sharks and Shared Waters
19:34 Growing Tourism and Public Interest
23:34 The 2025 Shark Bite Incident
27:37 Understanding Risk and Coexistence
31:25 Public Perception After a Shark Bite
33:21 Conservation Success and Recovering Shark Populations
38:52 Managing Shark Hotspots
44:13 Sharks in Israel and Citizen Science

Can people and sharks safely share the same waters?

In this episode of Series 2, host Mark Stokes-Packer speaks with Dr Adi Barash, marine biologist, shark researcher, and founder of Sharks in Israel. Together, they explore one of the world's most unusual shark hotspots, where large aggregations of Dusky Sharks and Sandbar Sharks gather near coastal power plants every winter.

Adi explains how these shark aggregations were first discovered, what attracts the sharks to the area, and how years of research have helped reveal their behaviour. As more people become aware of the phenomenon, the site has become increasingly popular with divers, swimmers, and wildlife enthusiasts, creating new challenges for both shark conservation and public safety.

The conversation also explores a tragic shark bite incident that occurred in Israel in 2025. Rather than focusing on sensational headlines, Adi shares the wider context surrounding the event, including environmental conditions, human behaviour, increasing visitor numbers, and the lessons that can help reduce risk in the future.

From recovering shark populations and citizen science to wildlife management and responsible behaviour, this episode examines what true coexistence looks like when people and sharks share the same space.

Please like, share, subscribe, and leave a comment. If you have a question about Living with Sharks, drop it below and we can answer it in a future episode. Or email [email protected].

Follow Dr Adi Barash:

LinkedIn
Sharks in Israel website

Sharks in Israel Facebook
MECO Project

Follow the Shark Trust:
Instagram
Facebook
LinkedIn

YouTube

Support our work by becoming a member, adopt a shark, donating, or taking part in our citizen science projects. You can do all of this by visiting sharktrust.org.

Series 2 sponsored by SurfEars.

Artwork by rev.01 Studio.
Video and sound editing by Louis Hogan.
Research and planning by Cat Gordon and Mark Stokes-Packer.

Thank you for listening to the Shark Trust Podcast!

Our short documentary "Living with Sharks: In the Bahamas" is available on YouTube.

Chapters
00:26 Meet Dr Adi Barash
02:33 From Sea Turtles to Shark Research
06:06 The Sharks and Rays of Israel
10:01 Living with Sharks in Israel
15:22 What Attracts Sharks to the Area?
16:48 People, Sharks and Shared Waters
19:34 Growing Tourism and Public Interest
23:34 The 2025 Shark Bite Incident
27:37 Understanding Risk and Coexistence
31:25 Public Perception After a Shark Bite
33:21 Conservation Success and Recovering Shark Populations
38:52 Managing Shark Hotspots
44:13 Sharks in Israel and Citizen Science

Can ecotourism help sharks, or are we sometimes getting it wrong?

In this episode of Series 2, host Mark Stokes-Packer speaks with Dr Gonzalo Araujo, Founder and Director of MARECO Marine Research and Conservation Foundation. Together, they explore what shark ecotourism really means, how it differs from ordinary wildlife tourism, and why the details matter.

Gonzalo explains why good ecotourism should benefit sharks, local communities, and the wider marine environment. But he also looks at the risks. What happens when shark behaviour is changed? When does provisioning or overcrowding become a problem? And how do we decide where the line is between a positive wildlife encounter and one that causes harm?

This episode also looks at codes of conduct, tourist responsibility, local management, and why the same species may need different rules in different parts of the world. From Whale Sharks in Australia to Blue Sharks in the UK, Gonzalo shows why there is no one-size-fits-all answer.

Please like, share, subscribe, and leave a comment. If you have a question about Living with Sharks, drop it below and we can answer it in a future episode. Or email [email protected]

Follow Dr Gonzalo Araujo:
MARECO website
MARECO Instagram
Gonzo's Instagram

Follow the Shark Trust:
Instagram
Facebook
LinkedIn

Support our work by becoming a member, adopting a shark, donating, or taking part in our citizen science projects. You can do all of this by visiting sharktrust.org

Series 2 sponsored by SurfEars.
Artwork by rev.01 Studio.
Video and sound editing by Louis Hogan.
Research and planning by Cat Gordon and Mark Stokes-Packer.

Thank you for listening to the Shark Trust Podcast!

Our short-documentary "Living with Sharks: in the Bahamas" is available on YouTube.

Chapters

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Shark Ecotourism
00:27 Meet Dr Gonzalo Araujo
08:29 What Is Ecotourism?
10:13 Can Ecotourism Help Sharks?
13:10 Why Shark Tourism Works in Some Places and Not Others
15:02 Risks of Shark Tourism
19:03 How Tourism Can Change Shark Behaviour
24:15 Where Is the Red Line?
28:25 Animal Welfare and Ecosystem Function
29:36 Provisioning, Conditioning, and Long-Term Impacts
33:29 Codes of Conduct and Blue Shark Tourism
41:07 Creating Codes of Conduct with Operators
43:26 What Makes a Good Code of Conduct?
45:04 Enforcement, Licensing, and Responsibility
50:26 Planning Ahead for Shark Recovery
53:15 How to Choose Responsible Shark Tourism
57:13 Gonzalo’s Favourite Shark
59:30 Where to Find Gonzalo and MARECO

In this update episode of the Shark Trust Podcast, host Mark Stokes-Packer is joined by Ali Hood, Shark Trust Director of Conservation, fresh from the annual meeting of the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission, or IOTC.

If IOTC is new to you, don’t worry. Ali breaks down what this major fisheries management body does, why it matters for sharks and rays, and how decisions made in these meeting rooms can shape conservation outcomes across the Indian Ocean.

This episode looks at the latest developments for Mobulid Rays, the challenges around the consolidated shark resolution, and the frustrating delay in securing full protection for Whale Sharks. Ali also explains why language, process, scientific advice and long-term relationships all matter when trying to turn conservation ambition into binding fisheries rules.

It is a behind-the-scenes look at the slow, detailed and often difficult work of international shark conservation, and a reminder of why being in the room matters.

The Shark Trust’s work in the Indian Ocean is supported by our Big Shark Pledge community. You can sign the Big Shark Pledge and add you voice to the community changing the future for oceanic sharks and rays! Add your voice at bigsharkpledge.org.

Learn more about our Oceanic Programme at sharktrust.org.

Please like, share, subscribe, and leave a comment. If you have any questions, drop it in a comment and we can answer it in a future episode. Or email me [email protected]

Follow the Shark Trust:
Instagram
Facebook
LinkedIn

Support our work by becoming a member, adopting a shark, donating, or taking part in our citizen science projects. You can do all of this by visiting sharktrust.org

Series 2 sponsored by SurfEars.
Artwork by rev.01 Studio.
Video and sound editing by Louis Hogan.
Research and planning for this episode by Ali Hood and Mark Stokes-Packer.

Thank you for listening to the Shark Trust Podcast!

What does it really mean to live with sharks?

In the first episode of Series 2, host Mark Stokes-Packer speaks with Cat Gordon, Senior Conservation Officer at the Shark Trust and lead for the Living with Sharks project. Together, they introduce the big questions behind this series. Are shark populations recovering, or are more people simply entering shark habitat? How do we make sure conservation success does not lead to new conflict? And what can we learn from communities already sharing the water with sharks?

This episode explores depredation, ecotourism, beach safety, education, and the importance of planning ahead. Cat explains why coexistence is not just about sharks, but about people too.

Please like, share, subscribe, and leave a comment. If you have a question for about Living with Sharks, drop it below and we can answer it in a future episode. Or email [email protected]

Follow the Shark Trust:
Instagram
Facebook
LinkedIn

Support our work by becoming a member, adopting a shark, donating, or taking part in our citizen science projects. You can do all of this by visiting sharktrust.org

Series 2 sponsored by SurfEars.
Artwork by rev.01 Studio.
Video and sound editing by Louis Hogan.
Research and planning by Cat Gordon and Mark Stokes-Packer.

Thank you for listening to the Shark Trust Podcast!

Our short-documentary "Living with Sharks: in the Bahamas" is available on YouTube.

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction to Living with Sharks
• 07:29 Living with Sharks: What Does It Mean?
• 13:46 Depredation: Impact and Solutions
• 20:49 Ecotourism: Benefits and Risks
• 27:46 Shark Code of Conducts and Safety Measures
• 33:04 Beach Safety and Bite Mitigation Measures
• 38:43 Human Behaviour and Shark Coexistence

In this episode Mark has a discussion with Jack Renwick, Fisheries Conservation Officer, on the recent UK and EU negotiations and what that means for shark conservation.

The conversation covers changes in management measures for skates and rays, Spurdog and the implications of these changes.

Please click SUBSCRIBE to keep up to date in the world of shark and ray conservation! And leave us a REVIEW (we read every single one)!

If you have questions about the podcast, or something you'd like to ask our guests, you can reach out to us on social media or email host, Mark Stokes-Packer at [email protected] 

Artwork by the very talented graphic designers at rev.01 Studio

The 10-day Annual Meeting for ICCAT (International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas - and tuna-like species) ended on Monday 24th November. With some big outcomes for sharks!

Mark has a meeting with Ali Hood, Director of Conservation, who attended the meeting to find out what happened, what it means for sharks, and whats next!

You can read the Breaking Shark Conservation News for other details.

Join Mark as he speaks with Shark Trust Patron, wildlife presenter and shark expert, Steve Backshall! 

You can watch FULL video versions of the Shark Trust Podcast on YouTube.

Please click SUBSCRIBE to keep up to date in the world of shark and ray conservation! And leave us a REVIEW (we read every single one and it means we can keep improving)

If you have questions about the podcast, or something you'd like to ask our guests, you can reach out to us on social media or email host, Mark Packer at [email protected] 

To see more of Steve's incredible work, check out the links below and keep an eye out for his Deadly 60 UK Tour:
Website: stevebackshall.com/
Instagram: @backshall.steve

Follow us on our social media platforms below:
Instagram (@thesharktrust)
Facebook (@thesharktrust)
LinkedIn (@shark-trust)

If you are interested in supporting our conservation work, you can help us through becoming a member, adopting one of these amazing sharks, donating to support the future of sharks and rays, and take part in our citizen science projects!


Hosted by Mark Packer.
Recording and editing by Louis Hogan.
Sponsored by SurfEars
Podcast artwork by rev.01 Studio

Thank you for listening!

A very special bonus episode dedicated to the Oceanic 31 Art Collaboration. 

Join Mark as he talks to five of the thirty-one artists, Rachel Brooks, Janina Rossiter, James Higgs, Janavi Kramer and Abigail Burt, about their pieces in the Oceanic 31 Collection. And explore how art can bring a new perspective to conservation!

You can bid on the original Oceanic 31 art pieces here.

Watch FULL video versions of the Shark Trust Podcast on YouTube.

Please click SUBSCRIBE to keep up to date in the world of shark and ray conservation! And leave us a REVIEW (we read every single one)

If you have questions about the podcast, or something you'd like to ask our guests, you can reach out to us on social media or email host, Mark Packer at [email protected] 

To see more of the artists incredible work, check out the links below to their Instagram pages:
Rachel Brooks: @rachelbrooksart
Janavi Kramer: @belowandbeyondart
Jimmy Higgs: @james_higgs
Janina Rossiter: @janinarossiter
Abigail Burt: @abigailiburt

Follow us on our social media platforms below:
Instagram (@thesharktrust)
Facebook (@thesharktrust)
LinkedIn (@shark-trust)
Twitter/X (@sharktrustuk)

If you are interested in supporting our conservation work, you can help us through becoming a member, adopting one of these amazing sharks, donating to support the future of sharks and rays, and take part in our citizen science projects!

Artwork by the very talented graphic designers at rev.01 Studio