He Couldn't Become a Doctor… So He Built a Shark Conservation Movement

Shark Conservation What happens when one unexpected opportunity completely changes your career path, and why does that matter for the future of sharks? In this episode of the Beyond Jaws podcast, Zoya Tyabji shares how her journey began in island conservation work and led her into the world of shark and ray research in India. You'll hear how curiosity, timing, and taking risks opened doors she never expected. Shark Research India Zoya explains the hidden realities of shark fisheries, trade, and conservation challenges in one of the world's most important marine regions. Her work combines science, community engagement, and real-world solutions that can help protect vulnerable species while supporting people who depend on the ocean. This conversation reveals why shark conservation is never just about sharks. Women in Science One of the most powerful insights in this episode is that Zoya did not start out chasing a shark career at all, she built it step by step by saying yes to opportunities. That reminder can change how anyone thinks about their own future. Connect with us: Website: https://bit.ly/37TMqeKInstagram: 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  

Shark conservation often feels like something only experts or elite scientists can do, but what if one unexpected decision could completely change your life and impact an entire ecosystem? In this episode, we unpack how a student who never planned to study the ocean ended up leading a major conservation effort focused on thresher sharks in Indonesia, and why his journey matters for anyone trying to build a meaningful career. Marine biology careers are rarely linear, and this story proves it. From struggling to find direction to discovering purpose through internships and hands-on experience, Raffid Shidqi shows how curiosity, persistence, and taking chances can open doors you didn't even know existed. You'll hear how he built an organization with 25 local staff, why community-based conservation is essential, and how real change happens on the ground. Ocean conservation impact becomes real when local people lead the work, and that's exactly what makes this story powerful. One surprising insight from this episode is that Raffid didn't start with a clear plan or passion for sharks, he developed it through exposure and opportunity, which challenges the idea that you need everything figured out before you begin. Listen to the full episode. Connect with us: Website: https://bit.ly/37TMqeKInstagram: 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  

Sawfish conservation might be one of the most overlooked stories in the ocean, but what scientists are discovering right now could completely change how we think about their future. For years, sawfish were believed to be disappearing beyond recovery, but new findings suggest something very different is happening beneath the surface. Endangered sawfish populations have been pushed to the brink by fishing pressure, habitat loss, and near total public neglect. But in certain regions, researchers like Rachel Graham are starting to uncover something unexpected, sawfish are still there, and in some cases, they may even be returning. This episode breaks down where they're being found, why it matters, and what it tells us about conservation actually working. Surprising Insight: One of the most endangered marine animals on Earth may be recovering in places where scientists thought it had already disappeared. Marine conservation success stories like this are rare, and they don't happen by chance. They happen when science, local communities, and long-term protection come together in the right way, even for species most people have never heard of. Listen to the full episode.

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. Connect with us: Website: https://bit.ly/37TMqeKInstagram: 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  

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. Subscribe for more shark science and conservation stories on Beyond Jaws.

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: Website: https://bit.ly/37TMqeKInstagram: 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  

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: Website: https://bit.ly/37TMqeKInstagram: 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  

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/37TMqeKInstagram: 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  

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 sharks without baiting hooks or disturbing animals, giving a clearer picture of how sharks actually use their habitats. Marine biodiversity takes center stage when Kaylee shares how this technology is being used beyond sharks, including in deep-sea environments where data is scarce. One surprising insight from the episode is how often sharks appear in places once assumed to be nearly empty, highlighting how limited human observation has shaped flawed assumptions about ocean life. Support Independent Podcasts: https://www.speakupforblue.com/patreon Help fund a new seagrass podcast: https://www.speakupforblue.com/seagrass Join the Undertow: https://www.speakupforblue.com/jointheundertow Connect with Speak Up For Blue Website: https://bit.ly/3fOF3Wf Instagram: https://bit.ly/3rIaJSG TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@speakupforblue Twitter: https://bit.ly/3rHZxpc YouTube: www.speakupforblue.com/youtube

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 her professional journey, from working on shark research and management to navigating emotionally charged debates around shark bites and public safety. One surprising and emotional insight from the episode is how often conservation decisions ignore the voices of the scientists closest to the work, even when those scientists are deeply embedded in local communities. Living with sharks is the principle that underpins Louw Claassens' career and advocacy. She explains how her approach to shark management has evolved over time, why communication is just as important as data, and how helping people understand sharks can reduce fear more effectively than exclusion or lethal control. This episode offers a rare look at the human side of building a career in shark conservation under intense scrutiny. Connect with us: Website: https://bit.ly/37TMqeKInstagram: 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