Beyond Jaws: Exploring Shark Science and Conservation

Devil rays are some of the most mysterious animals in the ocean, yet most people have never heard of them. In this episode, we sit down with marine scientist Marta Palacios to uncover what makes these animals so unique and why they need protection. From their behavior to the threats they face, this conversation reveals why devil rays deserve far more attention in ocean conservation.
Marine biology careers don't always follow a straight path, and Marta's journey proves it. Moving from Spain to La Paz, Mexico, she turned a passion for diving into a career studying mobulid rays. We break down how she built her career, what it's like working in the field, and what early-career scientists can learn from her experience.
Ocean conservation depends on people who are willing to take risks, follow their curiosity, and commit to protecting species that most people overlook. Devil rays may not get the spotlight like sharks or whales, but they are just as important to ocean ecosystems, and their future depends on better awareness and action.
👉 Listen to the full episode and learn how you can be part of ocean conservation.
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Dave: 
Website: https://www.lostsharkguy.com/
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Andrew:
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Tiger sharks are some of the most recognizable predators in the ocean, but scientists are still uncovering how these animals move through their environment.
In this episode of Beyond Jaws, marine scientist Dr. Rachel Graham shares insights from tiger shark tracking research that is helping scientists understand how these sharks migrate, where they spend their time, and why these movements matter for conservation.
By following tiger sharks across the ocean, researchers are revealing patterns that challenge what we thought we knew about shark behavior. These discoveries are helping scientists design better conservation strategies and understand the role tiger sharks play in maintaining healthy ocean ecosystems.
If you care about sharks, ocean science, and marine conservation, this conversation offers a fascinating look into the real lives of one of the ocean's most iconic predators.
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Whale Sharks are the largest fish in the ocean, yet scientists still know surprisingly little about how they live, migrate, and survive. In this episode of the Beyond Jaws podcast, we explore why one of the most iconic animals in the ocean remains scientifically mysterious. Marine researcher Stella Diamant joins the show to explain how studying whale sharks in Madagascar is revealing new insights about their behavior, habitat, and the challenges they face in a rapidly changing ocean.
Madagascar Whale Shark Project is uncovering discoveries that could reshape how we protect these gentle giants. Stella shares how she first became inspired to study whale sharks and how collaborations with scientists and organizations like the Marine Megafauna Foundation are helping build one of the most important research programs in the region. From identifying individual sharks to understanding seasonal aggregations, the conversation highlights how field science is slowly solving some of the biggest mysteries about these massive animals.
Whale Shark Research reveals a surprising truth: despite their enormous size and global popularity, whale sharks remain one of the least understood large marine animals on Earth. One of the most striking insights from this episode is that many key aspects of their life history, including where they reproduce and where juveniles spend their early years, are still largely unknown. That knowledge gap makes ongoing research projects like the one in Madagascar essential for future conservation.
Listen to the full episode.
Website: https://www.madawhalesharks.org/
 
Connect with us:
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Dave: 
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Andrew:
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Shark Science Career is brutally competitive, and many graduates struggle to find paid work after university. So what happens when passion meets rejection? In this episode of Beyond Jaws, shark scientist Kristian Parton shares how he went from struggling to land a job in the field to building one of the fastest growing shark science channels on YouTube, Shark Bytes, now with over 180,000 subscribers.
Shark Bytes YouTube did not begin as a master plan. It started as a creative outlet after graduation, when traditional career paths were not opening up. Kristian explains how combining entertainment with real science allowed him to reach a global audience, dispel shark myths, analyze viral shark videos, and create financial freedom through science communication.
One surprising insight from this episode: Christian's first scuba dive ever included an oceanic whitetip shark encounter, a rare and life changing moment that permanently shaped his career direction. That single underwater experience helped define his life's work.
If you care about shark conservation, science communication, or building your own path in marine biology, this episode will challenge how you think about career success in ocean science.
Listen to the full episode.
Kristian's YouTube Channel, Shark Bytes: https://www.youtube.com/@SHARKBYTES
Connect with us:
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Dave: 
Website: https://www.lostsharkguy.com/
Instagram: https://bit.ly/3q1J9Q5
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@lostsharkguy
Andrew:
Website: https://www.speakupforblue.com/
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YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SpeakUpForBlueTV

Angola Project began as a graduate idea, but the real question is this: what happens when you turn a passion into your entire life? In this conversation, Ana Lucia Soares shares why she chose to leave stability in Portugal and commit full time to building shark conservation in Angola, and why that decision matters for ocean protection in underrepresented regions.
Shark conservation in West Africa is not simple, and that is exactly the point. Ana Lucia explains what it takes to launch Elizmo Angola, navigate funding uncertainty, create local partnerships, and build trust in communities where conservation infrastructure is still developing. This is not just about sharks; it is about leadership, risk, and long-term impact.
Starting an NGO sounds inspiring, but it is also deeply personal and emotionally demanding. One surprising insight from this episode is how clarity often comes not from certainty, but from stepping into uncertainty anyway. The move to Angola was not guaranteed to succeed, but waiting for perfect conditions would have meant never starting at all.
Listen to the full episode.
The Angola Elasmo Project: https://www.angolaelasmoproject.org/
Connect with us:
Website: https://bit.ly/37TMqeK
Instagram: https://bit.ly/3eorwXZ
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@beyondjawspodcast7591
Dave: 
Website: https://www.lostsharkguy.com/
Instagram: https://bit.ly/3q1J9Q5
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@lostsharkguy
Andrew:
Website: https://www.speakupforblue.com/
Instagram: https://bit.ly/37g5WkG
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SpeakUpForBlueTV