Shark Podcasts

The weekly podcasts deal with an array of questions revolving around sharks. A critical look is given from the viewpoint of an experimental shark behaviorist, conservationist, and professional educator to all aspects around them.

Episode 20: On the attractiveness of human activities in the water

Whenever we move in the water, we create sound and water pressure. Both are intriguing for a shark but differ with regards to the distance they can be located. Is a shark close(r), it is water pressure that can be registered, is the animal farther away it is the actual sound that is picked up. Although sound can easily be detected by a shark, the farther away the animal is, the more human emissions mix with other sounds.

Episode 19: On direction and reference

Whenever a shark comes close(r) our subconsciousness picks up certain factors. Although one should be aware of all of them that are highlighted in ADORE-SANE, its approach direction / angle, as well as its swim level with reference to the observing (and targeted) person should be paramount.

Episode 18: How to read an approaching shark.

Sharks "come across" a certain way when approaching us. How can you read a shark, what do you have to look for etc.? This episode deals with the A of ADORE meaning the attitude/appearance of a shark.

Episode 17: The problem with fishing piers

If there is one area that should be avoided for any water sport activity, it is the surroundings of an active fishing pier. Fishermen lure in sharks due to their activity. Hooked fish release stress hormones, feces, scales etc. which are carried away with the current... Sharks picking up the scent will then likely swim against the current towards the source. Should people be in the water close to such a pier and create non-rhythmical sound patterns (by wading, swimming, frolicking etc.) their attraction will be increased.

Episode 16: What to do when body contact with a shark can't be avoided?

Whenever a shark comes too close and some body contact is likely, it is necessary to touch the shark the correct way. The procedure is called "Face-Guide-Push-Move."

Episode 15: How to withdraw from an encounter

If you believe all the "experts" out there of how to withdraw when a shark shows up, you should do it "fast, quick..." But the opposite is true. An approaching shark will not turn around and swim off should you swim as fast as you can away from it but the opposite... Unfortunately the internet is full of wrongful advices when it comes to the interaction with sharks. And withdrawing is one of them.

Episode 14: Environmental factors influence every encounter

Whenever we are in contact with a shark, environmental factors play an important role. Although some are more obvious than others (visibility, current, surface, bottom, reef...), many of those have never been scientifically explored, thus plenty of these factors are mere assumptions. Nevertheless, due to the number of observations a fair amount of these factors can be seen as a fact.

Episode 13: Understanding swim patterns (part 2)

Whenever a shark shows up it is performing a swim pattern. Different approaches express different motivations. Part 2.

Episode 12: Understanding swim patterns (part 1)

Whenever a shark shows up it is performing a swim pattern. Different approaches express different motivations.

Episode 11: Where does the fear of sharks come from?

Most people are afraid of sharks, although they are not aware that it is often not the animal per se that scares them. The fear of sharks can be overcome when knowing what to look for and understand it.