What can The Bahamas teach us about living alongside sharks?

In this episode of Series 2, host Mark Stokes-Packer speaks with Shark Trust CEO Paul Cox and Marketing Manager and underwater photographer Caroline Robertson-Brown. Together, they revisit the making of the Shark Trust’s short documentary, “Living with Sharks in The Bahamas”, and explore what they learned from the people sharing their islands and waters with sharks.

From Nassau and Bimini to Grand Bahama and Cat Island, Paul and Caroline discuss the importance of shark tourism to local businesses and communities. They reflect on encounters with Great Hammerheads, Caribbean Reef Sharks, Bull Sharks, Oceanic Whitetips and Southern Stingrays, as well as the habitats that support them.

But coexistence is not without challenges. Caroline shares what she heard from sport fishers experiencing high levels of shark depredation on Cat Island and why some are beginning to question the country’s shark protections. The conversation explores why community engagement, positive communication and practical solutions must continue long after a shark sanctuary has been established.

Paul and Caroline also share lessons from South Africa, where different coastlines, communities and shark species require very different approaches to beach safety.

From responsible shark diving and habitat conservation to tourism, fisheries and community engagement, this episode asks what meaningful coexistence really looks like and what other countries can learn from The Bahamas.

Please like, share, subscribe and leave a comment. If you have a question about Living with Sharks, leave it below or email [email protected].

Watch “Living with Sharks in The Bahamas”:
https://youtu.be/vJ8g8Fjv9GI

Explore the Speaking Up for the Ocean Toolkit:
https://www.sharktrust.org/toolkit

Support our work by becoming a member, adopting a shark, donating or taking part in our citizen science projects. Visit https://www.sharktrust.org.

Series 2 sponsored by SurfEars.

Artwork by rev.01 Studio.

Recording by Louis Hogan.
Video and sound editing by Mark Stokes-Packer.
Research and planning by Cat Gordon and Mark Stokes-Packer.

Thank you for listening to the Shark Trust Podcast!

Chapters

00:13 What Can The Bahamas Teach Us About Coexistence?
00:33 Meet Paul Cox and Caroline Robertson-Brown
01:02 Making “Living with Sharks in The Bahamas”
04:12 First Impressions of Bimini
05:26 Shark Diving and Tourism
07:47 The Economic and Cultural Value of Sharks
09:50 How Attitudes Towards Sharks Have Changed
11:42 Local Knowledge and Sharing the Water
13:29 Stingrays, Fear and Education
15:38 Mangroves and Shark Habitats
17:48 Diving and Filming Across The Bahamas
19:52 When Sharks Found the 360 Camera
21:55 Diving with Great Hammerheads
23:36 Why Bimini Stood Out
25:15 Connecting Land, Sea and Shark Conservation
28:23 Lessons for Responsible Shark Tourism
30:32 Codes of Conduct and Diver Safety
31:03 Bringing Communities Along
34:07 Conflict on Cat Island
35:50 Sport Fishing and Shark Depredation
37:51 Speaking Up for the Ocean
39:38 Beach Safety Lessons from South Africa
43:29 Expedition Highlights
45:43 Favourite Shark Encounters
49:00 Where Does Living with Sharks Go Next?

In this episode of the Shark Trust Podcast, host Mark Stokes-Packer is joined by Tom Hird, but you might know him as The Blowfish or just "Fish". "Fish" is a marine biologist, wildlife presenter, science communicator, presenter of Netflix’s All the Sharks, and quite possibly the world’s only heavy metal marine biologist.

Fish shares how a childhood fear of Great Whites sparked a lifelong fascination, how he found his way into science communication, and why he has made it his mission to tell shark stories in a way that reaches beyond traditional wildlife audiences.

We talk about his journey from school talks and Shark Trust videos to Blue Peter, Shark Week, Netflix and beyond. We also dig into All the Sharks and how it helped showcase the huge diversity of sharks, rays and lesser-known species that rarely get time on screen.

Along the way, we cover heavy metal experiments with sharks, the importance of making science accessible, unforgettable dives, the joy from seeing sharks, and why conservation needs more voices, more stories and more ways to connect people with the ocean.

This episode is part of our Living with Sharks series, exploring coexistence and what it means to share the ocean with sharks now and in the future!

Useful links:

• Find Tom 'The Blowfish' Hird online: theblowfish.co.uk
• Follow Tom on Instagram: @bigpoppablowfish
• Watch the series All the Sharks on Netflix

Learn more about the Shark Trust: sharktrust.org and how you can support our conservation work!

Thank you to SurfEars for supporting this series. If you surf, dive, swim or spend time in cold water, protect your ears.

Thank you to Rev.01 Studio for the Shark Trust Podcast artwork.

Recording by Louis Hogan.

Editing by Mark Stokes-Packer.

Research and planning for this series by Cat Gordon and Mark Stokes-Packer.

Hosted by Mark Stokes-Packer.

Thank you for listening to the Shark Trust Podcast!

How can fishers, scientists, and communities work together to reduce shark depredation?

In Part 2 of this episode of the Shark Trust Podcast, host Mark Stokes-Packer continues his conversation with marine neurobiologist Dr Victoria Camilieri-Asch about shark depredation, fisher-shark interactions, shark sensory biology, and coexistence.

The conversation explores how sharks use electroreception to detect tiny electrical signals in the water, why different species respond differently to deterrents, and why future technology must be developed with shark biology, fisheries needs, and real-world practicality in mind.

Please like, share, subscribe, and leave a comment. If you have a question about Living with Sharks, drop it below or email [email protected].

Dr Victoria Camilieri-Asch:
Email: [email protected]
LinkedIn
Lord Howe Island Shark Research Program Facebook page

Related research and links:
Project Cucut paper

Lord Howe Island Shark Research Program paper

Documentary

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
00:54 Shark Deterrent Videos and Field Trials
01:34 Are Sharks Fussy Eaters?
02:55 Shark Sensory Biology and Deterrent Technology
05:29 Practical Ways Fishers Can Reduce Depredation
08:00 Community Engagement at Lord Howe Island
10:03 Changing Attitudes Towards Sharks
13:16 What Does Successful Coexistence Look Like?
16:44 Shark Depredation at Sharks International
19:01 Future Research Priorities
23:38 Vic’s Favourite Shark Species
25:07 Chimaeras and Deep-Water Sharks

What happens when sharks and fisheries overlap?

In this episode, Mark speaks with Marine Neurobiologist Dr Victoria Camilieri-Asch about shark depredation, shark behaviour, sensory ecology, and the complex relationship between sharks, fishers, and marine ecosystems.

Together, Mark and Vic explore shark depredation, also known as bite-offs, where sharks remove fish from fishing gear before the catch can be retrieved. They discuss why this is becoming a growing issue for fishers, as well as the wider impacts on sharks, fisheries management, and marine ecosystems.

Listen to Part 2 to continue the conversation!

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].

Dr Victoria Camilieri-Asch:
Email: [email protected]
LinkedIn
Lord Howe Island Shark Research Program Facebook page

Related research and links:
Project Cucut paper

Lord Howe Island Shark Research Program paper

Documentary

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 Victoria Camilieri-Asch
03:18 Shark Behaviour, Brains and Sensory Biology
06:06 What Is Shark Depredation?
07:59 Why Depredation Is Becoming a Growing Issue
13:18 Impacts on Fishers, Sharks and Ecosystems
23:18 Key Drivers of Shark Depredation
26:20 Project Cucut in the Cocos Keeling Islands
29:06 Electrical Shark Deterrents and RPELX
31:06 How Shark Deterrent Technology Works
34:13 Reducing Depredation, Bycatch and Gear Loss
38:23 What Comes Next for Shark Depredation Research

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