The Intersection of Shark Conservation and Community Safety: Dr. Chris Lowe's Journey
Beyond Jaws: Exploring Shark Science and Conservation
Release Date: 12/09/2024
She Left Europe to Build a Shark Conservation NGO in Angola, Here’s What It Really Takes
Beyond Jaws: Exploring Shark Science and Conservation
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...
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How Stereo BRUVs Are Revealing Sharks We Never See and Why It Changes Conservation
Beyond Jaws: Exploring Shark Science and Conservation
Stereo BRUVs are transforming how scientists study sharks, yet most people have no idea how much we have been missing, and why that matters for conservation. In this episode, we talk with Dr. Kaylee Smitt about how underwater camera systems are uncovering sharks in places humans rarely go, changing what we think we know about abundance, behavior, and ecosystem health. Shark research has long depended on divers, fishing surveys, and tagging, but those methods can miss species that avoid people or live deeper than we can reach. Kaylee explains how stereo BRUVs allow researchers to study...
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South Africa Sharks: Building a Career Protecting Sharks When Fear Shapes the Narrative
Beyond Jaws: Exploring Shark Science and Conservation
South Africa Sharks sit at the heart of Louw Claassens’ career, shaping how she understands conservation, risk, and public trust in science. South Africa Sharks frame this episode through one central question: how do you build a career protecting sharks in a country where fear, media pressure, and politics often overpower science? Louw shares how her path into shark conservation began, the challenges she faced early on, and why her work continues despite public backlash. Shark conservation is not just a scientific pursuit, it is deeply personal work. In this conversation, Louw walks through...
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Recounting 2025’s Biggest Shark Stories: Orcas vs Great Whites, Better Protections, and More!
Beyond Jaws: Exploring Shark Science and Conservation
Shark conservation faces an unexpected challenge: fear. The biggest threat to sharks is not their biology, it is the stories we tell about them. This episode asks a simple but powerful question, how did one movie shape decades of fear, policy decisions, and public misunderstanding about sharks, and why does that still matter for conservation today? Shark science myths are unpacked as marine scientists explain what sharks actually do, how rare attacks really are, and how misinformation spreads faster than facts. The conversation explores how scientists struggle to communicate nuance in a world...
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The Hidden Story Behind 1200 Hours of Shark Footage: Why Dr. Oscar Sosa Just Made History
Beyond Jaws: Exploring Shark Science and Conservation
Shark research raises a big question, how does one scientist turn 12000 hours of underwater video into discoveries that protect sharks and rays across Mexico. Marine biologist Dr. Oscar Sosa returns to the show after receiving one of the most prestigious lifetime achievement awards in the biological sciences. His work has transformed how Mexico monitors sharks, rays, and marine protected areas, and this episode reveals the surprising moments that shaped his career. Marine biology Mexico takes center stage as Dr. Sosa explains how his team is using BRUVS and drones to build the first long term...
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How a Kid From Ohio Became One of the Most Influential Shark Scientists in the World
Beyond Jaws: Exploring Shark Science and Conservation
Shark conservation: What does it take to go from growing up on Lake Erie to tagging great white sharks around the world? This episode reveals the surprising twists and setbacks that shaped Dr. Taylor Chapple’s career including the moment he thought he lost his future in research and how that failure became the most important turning point of his life. He shares the non-linear path that led him to global shark research from Cape Cod to California to Oregon and what he learned about persistence, curiosity, and opportunity along the way. Marine biology careers: Taylor also opens up about the...
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Guitarfish Genetics and Culture in Mexico: Bryan Huerta’s Journey Into Shark Science
Beyond Jaws: Exploring Shark Science and Conservation
Guitarfish genetics take center stage in this inspiring episode as Bryan Huerta shares how his fascination with sharks at the massive La Nueva Viga fish market in Mexico City sparked his entire scientific path. His early curiosity grew into formal research that now examines the guitarfish sold as Pez Diablo in Mexican markets, where he used molecular tools to identify species and highlight conservation concerns. Marine conservation research also shaped Bryan’s career through field experience in the Northern Gulf of Mexico where he helped run longline surveys, learned dissection and...
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Deep Sea Shark Discovery: Ivy Baremore and David Ebert Train the Next Generation in Honduras
Beyond Jaws: Exploring Shark Science and Conservation
Shark Identification Training In this episode of Beyond Jaws, Andrew Lewin and Dr. David Ebert welcome back Dr. Ivy Baremore from MarAlliance to talk about an incredible deep-sea shark identification workshop held in Honduras. The workshop brought together scientists, students, and even local diving enthusiasts to learn how to identify some of the most mysterious sharks in the Caribbean. Ivy shares what inspired the training, how it came together after nearly a decade of planning, and why empowering local researchers is the first step in conserving deep-sea species. Deep Sea Conservation in...
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Madagascar Environment and Shark Discoveries with Dr. David Ebert
Beyond Jaws: Exploring Shark Science and Conservation
Madagascar Environment takes center stage in this episode of Beyond Jaws, where co-host Dr. David Ebert shares stories from his latest fieldwork on one of the planet’s most unique islands. From long days on the water to surprising new shark encounters, David reveals what makes Madagascar such an incredible place for marine research and conservation. This episode dives into the realities of working in remote field conditions, the thrill of discovering new species, and the importance of connecting local communities to conservation goals. Madagascar’s waters hold a mix of mystery and urgency,...
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Ghost Sharks with Dominique Didier: Unveiling the Hidden World of Chimaeras
Beyond Jaws: Exploring Shark Science and Conservation
Ghost Sharks are some of the most mysterious creatures in the ocean, and in this episode, we explore their story with Dr. Dominique Didier. She joins us to talk about her groundbreaking new book Ghost Sharks of the World, which she co-authored with Dr. Dave Ebert and others. From taxonomy and biology to personal stories of research, Dominique reveals why ghost sharks deserve as much attention as their shark and ray relatives. Ghost Sharks fascinate both scientists and ocean enthusiasts because of their evolutionary significance. In this conversation, Dominique shares her career journey, the...
info_outlineIn this episode of the Beyond Jaws podcast, Dr. Chris Lowe discusses the future of the Shark Lab at California State University, Long Beach, reflecting on its past research and the challenges it currently faces.
Key Points:
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California Shark Beach Safety Program: The Shark Lab has been instrumental in developing this state-funded program in response to the increasing presence of white sharks along California beaches. The program focuses on providing lifeguards with essential information to ensure public safety while also protecting the sharks.
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Research and Technology: The lab has utilized advanced technologies such as acoustic telemetry, satellite telemetry, drones, and stable isotopes to monitor white shark populations and their behaviors. This research has led to significant insights into shark behavior, including their interactions with humans and their feeding patterns.
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Education and Outreach: The Shark Lab has implemented educational programs for lifeguards, recreational fishers, and K-12 students to improve understanding and safety regarding sharks. These initiatives aim to reduce fear and promote conservation by educating the public about shark behavior and the ecological importance of these animals.
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Funding Challenges: Despite the success of the Shark Lab's programs, funding has become a critical issue. The lab is currently facing budget cuts and has had to lay off staff. Dr. Lowe is actively seeking private funding to sustain and expand the lab's research and outreach efforts.
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Future Directions: Dr. Lowe emphasizes the importance of continued research and public education to foster a better understanding of sharks. He believes that with proper funding, the lab can answer complex questions about shark behavior and ecology that were previously thought impossible.
In summary, while the Shark Lab has made significant strides in shark research and public education, its future depends on securing adequate funding to continue its vital work in conservation and community safety.
The Shark Lab: https://www.csulb.edu/shark-lab
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