You might be familiar with fishing for sport, but have you ever heard of reeling in great hammerheads for fun? This episode we take a deep dive into the lesser known world of catch-and-release shark fishing, discuss the potential impacts on shark populations, and how it might become a more sustainable practice. Digressions include the wonders of the gulf stream, sharks with anxiety, “snowbirds” and 3am spaghetti Bolognese rituals…

Our guests this week are Hannah Medd, scientist and founder of the American Shark Conservancy (ASC), and Jill Brooks, PhD candidate at Carleton University and researcher with ASC. Together, Hannah and Jill lead a research project (https://saveourseas.com/project/shark-survival-from-the-shore/) aiming to understand the impact of catch-and-release recreational fishing on endangered great hammerhead sharks in Florida, in order to help draft better, more sustainable practices for the future. As they explain in the episode, the project is almost split into two halves: the ecological information they obtain from tagging data, and the social information gained from working directly with the angling community. The importance of having both is a theme throughout our conversation, and Jill and Hannah stress the need to facilitate knowledge exchange, and build trust and relationships, to help encourage sustainable practice.

You can find out more about ASC here https://www.americansharkconservancy.org/, or by following @SharkStudies. You can find Hannah at @sharkhugger and Jill at @jillbrooks85. 

This podcast was brought to you by the Save Our Seas Foundation (SOSF). You can find out more about us here: www.saveourseas.com

This episode we dive back into our bumper episode on shark adaptations with phenomenal scientists and communicators Amani, Jaida and Meghan! In part 2, we pick up where we left off - exploring the depths of the ocean with some glow-in-the-dark sharks. We find out how and why some sharks emit their own light, meet some pretty weird characters from the deep sea, and discover the shark who loves to chow down on moose (but very, very slowly). Stay tuned to learn about Amani's love for bonnetheads, Meghan's adoration for broadnose sevengills and find out why Jaida mistrusts invertebrates...

We also learn more about Meghan (@megholst), Jaida (@soFISHtication) and Amani's (@curly_biologist) scientific careers, as well as the work they do outside of science. This includes their roles with Minorities in Shark Sciences (MISS) and Minorities in Aquarium and Zoo Sciences (MIAZS), two organisations that strive to overcome systemic barriers and promote diversity and inclusion within their fields. You can find out more, and learn how to support and get involved, here www.misselasmo.org and here www.miazs.org.

This podcast is brought to you by the Save Our Seas Foundation (SOSF). You can find out more about us here: www.saveourseas.com

Attention all shark nerds - boy do we have a treat for you! Over the next two episodes, we'll be answering not one, but SEVEN questions about some of the weirdest, most bizarre and extreme shark species on the planet with three amazing guests: scientists and communicators Amani Webber-Schultz, Jaida Elcock and Meghan Holst!

Part 1 is jam-packed full of sharky facts. We'll be learning all about big sharks, tiny sharks, super speedy sharks, and the adaptations that allow them to survive and thrive. Tune in to find out which species has teeth on their eyeballs (!), which can emit its own light from its 'ARMPITS', and how some sharks can reach speeds of up to 45mph... We'll also be chatting about sharks that glow in the dark, but you'll have to stay tuned next week to find out why!

It was so much fun chatting to Amani, Jaida and Meghan. These ladies are seriously passionate about sharks, and their enthusiasm for all things elasmobranch really shines through! Amani (@curly_biologist) is a PhD student at the New Jersey Institute of Technology where she will be studying shark morphology. Jaida (@soFISHtication) is a PhD student in the MIT-WHOI joint program, studying the movement ecology of migratory elasmobranchs. And Meghan (@megholst) is working towards her PhD in the conservation ecology of broadnose sevengill sharks in San Fransisco bay. 

Meghan is co-founder of Minorities in Aquarium and Zoo Sciences (@MIAZS_now, www.MIAZS.org).

Jaida and Amani are co-founders of Minorities in Shark Sciences (@miss_elasmo, www.misselasmo.org)

Amani and Meghan also co-host the Sharkpedia podcast! You can find it here @sharkpediapod and listen wherever you get your podcasts!

This episode we get our teeth sunk into the dos and donts of shark tourism. Is it okay to get in the water with sharks? What could the impacts be on the animal? And what should we look for in a tourism operator? We discuss the upsides and downsides of the tourism industry and the importance of being a responsible, conscious tourist - both at sea, and on social media. Digressions include glow-in-the-dark orca, British weather and what it's like to encounter a curious blue shark in the wild...

Our jawsome guests this week are Nicki Meharg (@morlo_wildlife) and Rich Rees (@richardmrees), two incredibly experienced divers and marine conservationists who are hugely passionate about protecting and raising awareness of marine life. Together they founded Celtic Deep (www.celticdeep.org), a UK based organisation that specialise in taking people on amazing experiences off the Pembrokeshire coast, including underwater encounters with blue sharks. They have a strong focus on responsible tourism, and follow strict codes of conduct to ensure the well-being and protection of these animals. They offer their insights as both conservationists and tour operators, and give us an open and honest account of the nuances of wildlife tourism. 

This podcast is brought to you by the Save Our Seas Foundation (SOSF) - you can find out more about our work here: www.saveourseas.com

In our first ever episode of the Whole Tooth, we take a deep dive into the weird and wonderful world of shark mating and reproduction! Digressions include the shark that takes 150 years to reach sexual maturity, baby sharks that chow down on their brothers and sisters in the womb, and the seriously cute baby sunfish.

Our special guests this week are the incredible Jillian Morris-Brake, marine biologist, award-winning underwater photographer and founder of Sharks4Kids, and multi-talented shark researcher, scuba diver and Sharks4Kids ambassador, Jenny Bortoluzzi. Sharks4Kids is a non-profit dedicated to encouraging the next generation of shark advocates through outreach, education, and adventure (www.sharks4kids.com). You can follow Jillian on @biminisharkgirl and Jenny on @sharkyjenny.

This podcast is brought to you by the Save Our Seas Foundation (SOSF). You can find out more about our work here: www.saveourseas.com.

Introducing the Whole Tooth podcast! A show all about sharks, created for you by the Save Our Seas Foundation!