Murky Waters

I interview Riley Elliot, a shark scientist, and waterman, about the recent listing of MAKO sharks on CITES (the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species). He talks about their conservation and why the fastest shark in the sea may not out-swim extinction. Being an avid freediver, Riley also talks about his experiences underwater with sharks, particularly the Mako, how he safely does it, plus his scariest encounter. Riley has written a book, given a TED talk, and is a large force for shark advocation and conservation, sharing his tested recipe for communicating science and sparking change.

With the current health problem of bacteria building resistances to antibiotics, scientists are now studying sharks and their antibodies as an alternative treatment. In this interview, I talk to Gabriela Constanza Martinez, who is a Ph.D. researcher specialising in the antibodies from wobbegong sharks to treat UTIs (Urinary Tract Infections). She breaks down her important research, the fundamentals of antibodies, why humans are in need of antibodies from animals like sharks and when we can expect to see treatments in the future, as well as any implications.

I interview Dr. Charlie Huveneers, an Associate Professor at Flinders University, to find out what shark deterrents he has researched, whether they work, his research about cage diving and habitation and whether sharks become conditioned to boats. We also dive into a recent study he was a part of which encompassed 150 shark scientists to assess the overlap of shark species with fisheries in places like the high seas. Plus a whole lot more... This show was broadcast on OAR 105.4FM Dunedin www.oar.org.nz

I interview Lauren Peel, who has just completed a Ph.D. and studied Manta ray movements, diet, and population off the Seychelles. I ask her basic questions from how they reproduce, who their main predators are, what senses do they use? How fast can they swim? And she also discusses the threats manta rays face, such as plastic pollution, plus a whole lot more. This show was broadcast on OAR 105.4FM Dunedin www.oar.org.nz

Meet Melissa Cristina Márquez, a powerhouse of science communication, endeavouring to provide a bridge between science and the public. She is a TEDx presenter, Forbes Science writer, podcast host, and Discovery Channels Shark Week's guest, who once shrugged off being bitten and dragged by a crocodile whilst filming. I talk with Melissa about these feats and more, focusing the conversation on the need to communicate the current plight of shark populations in the world and how she does it so effectively, as well as the challenges she faces both advocating for sharks and being a female scientist.

Come meet The Murky Waters podcast host, Michael Heldsinger, who is interviewed on the OARsome Morning Show. Michael talks about his masters research, his own personal encounters with sharks, what inspired the podcast and what's coming up...

Do sharks sleep? What is their strongest sense? How do they reproduce? What's their history? Do they have good eyesight? On today's episode, I interview a passionate shark scientist, Dr. Sammy Andrzejaczek, who is currently a post-doctoral fellow at Stanford University in California. We talk about how scientists study sharks and what they strive to learn. She gives answers to all the questions above, plus much more, and we delve into global warming and what may happen to sharks in the future... This show was broadcast on OAR 105.4FM Dunedin www.oar.org.nz

In this episode, I talk to Kye Adams, a beach lifeguard and marine ecologist who invented a shark blimp: a way of monitoring sharks as a preventative to increase beach safety. We talk about technologies such as his airship and drones for monitoring sharks, automation software to recognise sharks and beach hazards, as well as his Ph.D study of sharks and rays aborting pups when stressed. Plus a whole lot more.. This show was broadcast on OAR 105.4FM Dunedin www.oar.org.nz

Human and sharks. Why do we fear these predators so much? In this episode, I interview Sam Frazer-Baxter who completed a masters at the University of Otago studying our relationship and attitudes to sharks. We talk about the fear we have, its rationality, what he discovered in his studies with a focus on a case study of NSW, Australia when there was a spike in human/shark incidences. And of course a lot more... This show was broadcast on OAR 105.4FM Dunedin www.oar.org.nz

Welcome to Murky Waters! A podcast series examining sharks in a realistic, instead of sensationalist way. Prepare to be amazed by these jawsome predators by the people who study them.