[Music]
[Music] [Applause]
[Music] [Applause]
when I learned to scuba dive
when I learned to scuba dive I had just one question for my dive
I had just one question for my dive
I had just one question for my dive instructor what do you do if you see a
instructor what do you do if you see a
instructor what do you do if you see a shark underwater he said don’t worry
shark underwater he said don’t worry
shark underwater he said don’t worry about it
about it
about it don’t worry about it it’s all that I’ve
don’t worry about it it’s all that I’ve
don’t worry about it it’s all that I’ve been worried about but that was nearly
been worried about but that was nearly
been worried about but that was nearly 20 years ago and I’ve been lucky enough
20 years ago and I’ve been lucky enough
20 years ago and I’ve been lucky enough since then to dive around the world
since then to dive around the world
since then to dive around the world alongside dozens of different species of
alongside dozens of different species of
alongside dozens of different species of sharks and you know what he was
sharks and you know what he was
sharks and you know what he was absolutely right in the company of
absolutely right in the company of
absolutely right in the company of sharks I’ve never felt fear or concern
sharks I’ve never felt fear or concern
sharks I’ve never felt fear or concern or panic instead I’ve only felt calm and
or panic instead I’ve only felt calm and
or panic instead I’ve only felt calm and joy and reverence if you’ve ever seen a
joy and reverence if you’ve ever seen a
joy and reverence if you’ve ever seen a lion on safari you’ll know exactly what
lion on safari you’ll know exactly what
lion on safari you’ll know exactly what I’m talking about
I’m talking about
I’m talking about but if a new diver came to me today and
but if a new diver came to me today and
but if a new diver came to me today and asked me the same question that I had
asked me the same question that I had
asked me the same question that I had way back when I know that I would tell
way back when I know that I would tell
way back when I know that I would tell them this don’t worry about seeing a
them this don’t worry about seeing a
them this don’t worry about seeing a shark worry about never seeing a shark
shark worry about never seeing a shark
shark worry about never seeing a shark you see I’ve become increasingly
you see I’ve become increasingly
you see I’ve become increasingly concerned at how of a man 18 myth has
concerned at how of a man 18 myth has
concerned at how of a man 18 myth has become bigger than the truth and the
become bigger than the truth and the
become bigger than the truth and the disastrous consequences of hanging onto
disastrous consequences of hanging onto
disastrous consequences of hanging onto that belief the conservationist babo
that belief the conservationist babo
that belief the conservationist babo Dion says in the end we will conserve
Dion says in the end we will conserve
Dion says in the end we will conserve only what we love we will love only what
only what we love we will love only what
only what we love we will love only what we understand and we will understand
we understand and we will understand
we understand and we will understand only what we’re taught think about that
only what we’re taught think about that
only what we’re taught think about that for a second what have you ever been
for a second what have you ever been
for a second what have you ever been taught about sharks whatever you’re
taught about sharks whatever you’re
taught about sharks whatever you’re thinking I know that you’re not alone at
thinking I know that you’re not alone at
thinking I know that you’re not alone at the end of 2017 a piece of research was
the end of 2017 a piece of research was
the end of 2017 a piece of research was done in to the British public’s
done in to the British public’s
done in to the British public’s attitudes toward sharks and the oceans
attitudes toward sharks and the oceans
attitudes toward sharks and the oceans and I’d like to share with you two
and I’d like to share with you two
and I’d like to share with you two standout statistics the first is this
standout statistics the first is this
standout statistics the first is this nearly half of all Brits think that
nearly half of all Brits think that
nearly half of all Brits think that sharks are more terrifying than snakes
sharks are more terrifying than snakes
sharks are more terrifying than snakes spiders and rodents combined but more
spiders and rodents combined but more
spiders and rodents combined but more for me is the fact that 64% of Brits
for me is the fact that 64% of Brits
for me is the fact that 64% of Brits would prefer sharks not to exist
would prefer sharks not to exist
would prefer sharks not to exist so today I’d really like to tell you why
so today I’d really like to tell you why
so today I’d really like to tell you why I think sharks are so unloved why some
I think sharks are so unloved why some
I think sharks are so unloved why some sharks are on the brink of extinction
sharks are on the brink of extinction
sharks are on the brink of extinction and why for the sake of life on earth we
and why for the sake of life on earth we
and why for the sake of life on earth we have to change our attitudes toward
have to change our attitudes toward
have to change our attitudes toward sharks but if you’re one of the 64% it’s
sharks but if you’re one of the 64% it’s
sharks but if you’re one of the 64% it’s probably easy to explain it’s just one
probably easy to explain it’s just one
probably easy to explain it’s just one word why you’re terrified of shark’s
jaws now it might seem really cliched to
jaws now it might seem really cliched to point the finger at the 1975 movie but
point the finger at the 1975 movie but
point the finger at the 1975 movie but it does seem to be the moment when the
it does seem to be the moment when the
it does seem to be the moment when the Western world collectively screamed get
Western world collectively screamed get
Western world collectively screamed get out of the water and it’s not my
out of the water and it’s not my
out of the water and it’s not my ambition to point the blame or levy the
ambition to point the blame or levy the
ambition to point the blame or levy the blame for this Universal fear and
blame for this Universal fear and
blame for this Universal fear and loathing of sharks or the doorstep of
loathing of sharks or the doorstep of
loathing of sharks or the doorstep of Peter Benchley who wrote the book
Peter Benchley who wrote the book
Peter Benchley who wrote the book wearing the check shirt or indeed if you
wearing the check shirt or indeed if you
wearing the check shirt or indeed if you recognize him a very young Steven
recognize him a very young Steven
recognize him a very young Steven Spielberg in the middle who directed the
Spielberg in the middle who directed the
Spielberg in the middle who directed the movie but I think we can all be agreed
movie but I think we can all be agreed
movie but I think we can all be agreed on this that movie terrified us but if
on this that movie terrified us but if
on this that movie terrified us but if 1975 was the moment in time when sharks
1975 was the moment in time when sharks
1975 was the moment in time when sharks were first globally portrayed as
were first globally portrayed as
were first globally portrayed as man-eating monsters how come four
man-eating monsters how come four
man-eating monsters how come four decades later nearly half of all Brits
decades later nearly half of all Brits
decades later nearly half of all Brits are still terrified of sharks well
are still terrified of sharks well
are still terrified of sharks well here’s what I think
here’s what I think
here’s what I think jaws never died
jaws never died
jaws never died now that’s not a clever premise for Jaws
now that’s not a clever premise for Jaws
now that’s not a clever premise for Jaws five and six but what I really need to
five and six but what I really need to
five and six but what I really need to tell you is that I think the media has
tell you is that I think the media has
tell you is that I think the media has kept jaws alive after all you will have
kept jaws alive after all you will have
kept jaws alive after all you will have all seen headlines like this and this it
all seen headlines like this and this it
all seen headlines like this and this it seems to me that if you’re a journalist
seems to me that if you’re a journalist
seems to me that if you’re a journalist you can’t write about sharks without
you can’t write about sharks without
you can’t write about sharks without using words stolen from the book it
using words stolen from the book it
using words stolen from the book it seems that there’s an unwritten law that
seems that there’s an unwritten law that
seems that there’s an unwritten law that you must write about sharks using words
you must write about sharks using words
you must write about sharks using words like killer maneater menacing razor
like killer maneater menacing razor
like killer maneater menacing razor tooth beast and by my finger in the air
tooth beast and by my finger in the air
tooth beast and by my finger in the air calculation barely three days go by
calculation barely three days go by
calculation barely three days go by between headlines like this and I think
between headlines like this and I think
between headlines like this and I think it’s just often enough to keep the myth
it’s just often enough to keep the myth
it’s just often enough to keep the myth alive and to back up my claim here are
alive and to back up my claim here are
alive and to back up my claim here are just a few headlines from the first two
just a few headlines from the first two
just a few headlines from the first two weeks of this year can you see the theme
weeks of this year can you see the theme
weeks of this year can you see the theme but here’s the thing jaws wasn’t a
but here’s the thing jaws wasn’t a
but here’s the thing jaws wasn’t a documentary on average British cows kill
documentary on average British cows kill
documentary on average British cows kill more people than all the sharks in the
more people than all the sharks in the
more people than all the sharks in the world combined
world combined
world combined [Music]
in fact last year hundreds more people
in fact last year hundreds more people died from toasters from dog bites from
died from toasters from dog bites from
died from toasters from dog bites from these things from lightning strikes
these things from lightning strikes
these things from lightning strikes incredibly more people last year died
incredibly more people last year died
incredibly more people last year died from falling vending machines and from
from falling vending machines and from
from falling vending machines and from taking selfies without paying proper
taking selfies without paying proper
taking selfies without paying proper attention we just never seem to see
attention we just never seem to see
attention we just never seem to see those headlines and I think those
those headlines and I think those
those headlines and I think those headlines have created a blind spot in
headlines have created a blind spot in
headlines have created a blind spot in the mind of the public when it comes to
the mind of the public when it comes to
the mind of the public when it comes to shark conservation and I’d go as far as
shark conservation and I’d go as far as
shark conservation and I’d go as far as to say that I think those headlines have
to say that I think those headlines have
to say that I think those headlines have legitimized the mass slaughter of sharks
legitimized the mass slaughter of sharks
legitimized the mass slaughter of sharks you see just 1% of Brits had any idea
you see just 1% of Brits had any idea
you see just 1% of Brits had any idea that 73 million sharks are killed every
that 73 million sharks are killed every
that 73 million sharks are killed every year 73 million sharks that means that
year 73 million sharks that means that
year 73 million sharks that means that global fishing fleets are heading out to
global fishing fleets are heading out to
global fishing fleets are heading out to sea and they’re catching around 200,000
sea and they’re catching around 200,000
sea and they’re catching around 200,000 sharks every day that’s two every second
sharks every day that’s two every second
sharks every day that’s two every second a nature can’t keep up and the primary
a nature can’t keep up and the primary
a nature can’t keep up and the primary reason that they’re catching shark so
reason that they’re catching shark so
reason that they’re catching shark so fast has a lot to do with this shark fin
fast has a lot to do with this shark fin
fast has a lot to do with this shark fin soup the popularity of this dish has
soup the popularity of this dish has
soup the popularity of this dish has skyrocketed and as a result shark fins
skyrocketed and as a result shark fins
skyrocketed and as a result shark fins have become one of the most valuable
have become one of the most valuable
have become one of the most valuable seafood items on the planet and it has
seafood items on the planet and it has
seafood items on the planet and it has created a marine goldrush for sharks but
created a marine goldrush for sharks but
created a marine goldrush for sharks but there’s a sinister twist to this shark
there’s a sinister twist to this shark
there’s a sinister twist to this shark fins are worth a great deal of money
fins are worth a great deal of money
fins are worth a great deal of money shark meat considerably less so and
shark meat considerably less so and
shark meat considerably less so and that’s a fact that isn’t lost on many
that’s a fact that isn’t lost on many
that’s a fact that isn’t lost on many unscrupulous fishermen who rather than
unscrupulous fishermen who rather than
unscrupulous fishermen who rather than pay for the fuel to bring an entire
pay for the fuel to bring an entire
pay for the fuel to bring an entire shark carcass back to port instead
shark carcass back to port instead
shark carcass back to port instead choose to take the valuable bits in a
choose to take the valuable bits in a
choose to take the valuable bits in a practice known as shark finning they
practice known as shark finning they
practice known as shark finning they would bring the shark to the boat and
would bring the shark to the boat and
would bring the shark to the boat and then systematically hack off its dorsal
then systematically hack off its dorsal
then systematically hack off its dorsal fin its pectoral fins and it’s tell fin
fin its pectoral fins and it’s tell fin
fin its pectoral fins and it’s tell fin before throwing it overboard to die a
before throwing it overboard to die a
before throwing it overboard to die a long lingering
long lingering
long lingering death as far as I’m concerned this is
death as far as I’m concerned this is
death as far as I’m concerned this is the marine equivalent of killing an
the marine equivalent of killing an
the marine equivalent of killing an elephant for its tusks and as a result
elephant for its tusks and as a result
elephant for its tusks and as a result in some parts of the world iconic
in some parts of the world iconic
in some parts of the world iconic species of sharks like the hammerhead
species of sharks like the hammerhead
species of sharks like the hammerhead the thresher the oceanic whitetip and
the thresher the oceanic whitetip and
the thresher the oceanic whitetip and the silky have seen their numbers
the silky have seen their numbers
the silky have seen their numbers depleted by about eighty to ninety
depleted by about eighty to ninety
depleted by about eighty to ninety percent in some parts of the world but
percent in some parts of the world but
percent in some parts of the world but let me tell you two more examples of how
let me tell you two more examples of how
let me tell you two more examples of how I think the deck is stacked against
I think the deck is stacked against
I think the deck is stacked against sharks closer to home and the first is
sharks closer to home and the first is
sharks closer to home and the first is this right now there are no EU or
this right now there are no EU or
this right now there are no EU or international catch limits for most
international catch limits for most
international catch limits for most sharks caught in the Atlantic of course
sharks caught in the Atlantic of course
sharks caught in the Atlantic of course there are quotas for tuna and hate and
there are quotas for tuna and hate and
there are quotas for tuna and hate and halibut but none for sharks
halibut but none for sharks
halibut but none for sharks this mismanagement of the oceans has
this mismanagement of the oceans has
this mismanagement of the oceans has allowed Spain to become the third
allowed Spain to become the third
allowed Spain to become the third largest shark fishing nation in the
largest shark fishing nation in the
largest shark fishing nation in the world the second example is somewhat
world the second example is somewhat
world the second example is somewhat more quirky but as I explained I’m sure
more quirky but as I explained I’m sure
more quirky but as I explained I’m sure you’ll agree that this couldn’t occur to
you’ll agree that this couldn’t occur to
you’ll agree that this couldn’t occur to any other apex predator in the world
any other apex predator in the world
any other apex predator in the world when you travel back into Europe from
when you travel back into Europe from
when you travel back into Europe from abroad you have a personal import
abroad you have a personal import
abroad you have a personal import allowance most of you will know that
allowance most of you will know that
allowance most of you will know that that’s the ruling that allows you to
that’s the ruling that allows you to
that’s the ruling that allows you to bring a liter of spirits and 200
bring a liter of spirits and 200
bring a liter of spirits and 200 cigarettes through customs without
cigarettes through customs without
cigarettes through customs without looking guilty but that same ruling also
looking guilty but that same ruling also
looking guilty but that same ruling also allows you to bring 20 kilos of shark
allows you to bring 20 kilos of shark
allows you to bring 20 kilos of shark fins it will have been derived from 25
fins it will have been derived from 25
fins it will have been derived from 25 speed or 25 shots will make 705 bowls of
speed or 25 shots will make 705 bowls of
speed or 25 shots will make 705 bowls of soup and it will have a black market
soup and it will have a black market
soup and it will have a black market value of around three and a half
value of around three and a half
value of around three and a half thousand pounds so I think things are
thousand pounds so I think things are
thousand pounds so I think things are stacked against sharks we have a public
stacked against sharks we have a public
stacked against sharks we have a public fear and loathing we’ve got media
fear and loathing we’ve got media
fear and loathing we’ve got media reports that are nothing but sensational
reports that are nothing but sensational
reports that are nothing but sensational and then we have loopholes in the law
and then we have loopholes in the law
and then we have loopholes in the law like this but if you’re one of the 64%
like this but if you’re one of the 64%
like this but if you’re one of the 64% here’s the terrifying truth about sharks
here’s the terrifying truth about sharks
here’s the terrifying truth about sharks we need them we need them because for
we need them we need them because for
we need them we need them because for 450 million years they have been shaping
450 million years they have been shaping
450 million years they have been shaping our oceans since before the dinosaurs
our oceans since before the dinosaurs
our oceans since before the dinosaurs walked the earth we need them because
walked the earth we need them because
walked the earth we need them because they’re apex predators and they sit at
they’re apex predators and they sit at
they’re apex predators and they sit at the top of a fragile marine food web the
the top of a fragile marine food web the
the top of a fragile marine food web the theme of today’s talks is out of order
theme of today’s talks is out of order
theme of today’s talks is out of order and scientists say that if we carry on
and scientists say that if we carry on
and scientists say that if we carry on catching sharks at this colossal rate it
catching sharks at this colossal rate it
catching sharks at this colossal rate it will throw the underwater world into
will throw the underwater world into
will throw the underwater world into chaos and worst case scenario is that we
chaos and worst case scenario is that we
chaos and worst case scenario is that we will lose all the familiar seafood that
will lose all the familiar seafood that
will lose all the familiar seafood that the world relies upon as a source of
the world relies upon as a source of
the world relies upon as a source of protein worst case scenario is that the
protein worst case scenario is that the
protein worst case scenario is that the oceans become dominated by jellyfish and
oceans become dominated by jellyfish and
oceans become dominated by jellyfish and there’s a very real chance that the
there’s a very real chance that the
there’s a very real chance that the oceans will turn green algae blooms will
oceans will turn green algae blooms will
oceans will turn green algae blooms will smother the oceans ability to produce
smother the oceans ability to produce
smother the oceans ability to produce oxygen and absorb co2 in fact please
oxygen and absorb co2 in fact please
oxygen and absorb co2 in fact please will you all join me in consciously
will you all join me in consciously
will you all join me in consciously taking two deep breaths in through the
taking two deep breaths in through the
taking two deep breaths in through the nose and out through the mouth are you
nose and out through the mouth are you
nose and out through the mouth are you ready well certainly the oxygen in your
ready well certainly the oxygen in your
ready well certainly the oxygen in your first breath will have come from the
first breath will have come from the
first breath will have come from the rainforests from plants and trees and
rainforests from plants and trees and
rainforests from plants and trees and vegetation and the oxygen in your second
vegetation and the oxygen in your second
vegetation and the oxygen in your second breath will certainly have come from the
breath will certainly have come from the
breath will certainly have come from the oceans specifically plankton kelp and
oceans specifically plankton kelp and
oceans specifically plankton kelp and sea grass now I can tell you that a
sea grass now I can tell you that a
sea grass now I can tell you that a square meter of sea grass will produce
square meter of sea grass will produce
square meter of sea grass will produce 10 liters of oxygen a day and it can
10 liters of oxygen a day and it can
10 liters of oxygen a day and it can absorb 35 times more co2 than an
absorb 35 times more co2 than an
absorb 35 times more co2 than an equivalent patch of rainforest if you’re
equivalent patch of rainforest if you’re
equivalent patch of rainforest if you’re one of the 12 million people that tuned
one of the 12 million people that tuned
one of the 12 million people that tuned into blue planet 2 you may remember a
into blue planet 2 you may remember a
into blue planet 2 you may remember a sequence whereby just the mere presence
sequence whereby just the mere presence
sequence whereby just the mere presence of sharks kept Turtles on their toes and
of sharks kept Turtles on their toes and
of sharks kept Turtles on their toes and stopped them from over grazing important
stopped them from over grazing important
stopped them from over grazing important areas of seagrass so David Attenborough
areas of seagrass so David Attenborough
areas of seagrass so David Attenborough told
told
told so it would seem that the prairies and
so it would seem that the prairies and
so it would seem that the prairies and their sharks are surprising allies in
their sharks are surprising allies in
their sharks are surprising allies in the fight against a warming climate so
the fight against a warming climate so
the fight against a warming climate so if we mess with sharks we mess with the
if we mess with sharks we mess with the
if we mess with sharks we mess with the oceans and if we mess with the oceans we
oceans and if we mess with the oceans we
oceans and if we mess with the oceans we mess with the lungs and the larder of
mess with the lungs and the larder of
mess with the lungs and the larder of the planet as the national geographic
the planet as the national geographic
the planet as the national geographic ocean explorer-in-residence
ocean explorer-in-residence
ocean explorer-in-residence dr. Sylvia Earle so succinctly said no
dr. Sylvia Earle so succinctly said no
dr. Sylvia Earle so succinctly said no blue no green if the oceans die we die
blue no green if the oceans die we die
blue no green if the oceans die we die strong words I know but when I see those
strong words I know but when I see those
strong words I know but when I see those words I see a challenge a challenge to
words I see a challenge a challenge to
words I see a challenge a challenge to protect the Lions and the leopards of
protect the Lions and the leopards of
protect the Lions and the leopards of the ocean because if you want to protect
the ocean because if you want to protect
the ocean because if you want to protect the oceans you have to start with sharks
the oceans you have to start with sharks
the oceans you have to start with sharks and the best bit it’s not too late
and the best bit it’s not too late
and the best bit it’s not too late around the world brilliant organizations
around the world brilliant organizations
around the world brilliant organizations are already putting a squeeze on a
are already putting a squeeze on a
are already putting a squeeze on a billion dollar shark fishing industry
billion dollar shark fishing industry
billion dollar shark fishing industry and I’m proud to tell you that in the UK
and I’m proud to tell you that in the UK
and I’m proud to tell you that in the UK the charity that I launched in Kingston
the charity that I launched in Kingston
the charity that I launched in Kingston called bike back is well on its way to
called bike back is well on its way to
called bike back is well on its way to making Britain the first country in the
making Britain the first country in the
making Britain the first country in the world to ban shark fin soup
now they say that Britain is a nation of
now they say that Britain is a nation of animal lovers and I would love to see
animal lovers and I would love to see
animal lovers and I would love to see that include sharks because the survey
that include sharks because the survey
that include sharks because the survey came back and it told us that 90 percent
came back and it told us that 90 percent
came back and it told us that 90 percent of Brits had no idea that we have more
of Brits had no idea that we have more
of Brits had no idea that we have more than 30 species of sharks in our waters
than 30 species of sharks in our waters
than 30 species of sharks in our waters including this the basking shark one in
including this the basking shark one in
including this the basking shark one in three people didn’t know about this and
three people didn’t know about this and
three people didn’t know about this and I think that’s such a shame because this
I think that’s such a shame because this
I think that’s such a shame because this gentle giant is as long as this stage it
gentle giant is as long as this stage it
gentle giant is as long as this stage it has a mouth as wide as a sofa but it
has a mouth as wide as a sofa but it
has a mouth as wide as a sofa but it only eats plankton then we’ve got this
only eats plankton then we’ve got this
only eats plankton then we’ve got this it’s the mako shark it’s the fastest
it’s the mako shark it’s the fastest
it’s the mako shark it’s the fastest shark in the world clocked at speeds of
shark in the world clocked at speeds of
shark in the world clocked at speeds of over 30 miles an hour and we have this
over 30 miles an hour and we have this
over 30 miles an hour and we have this the porbeagle shark which is possibly
the porbeagle shark which is possibly
the porbeagle shark which is possibly the closest thing that we have to the
the closest thing that we have to the
the closest thing that we have to the great white this is our nature this is
great white this is our nature this is
great white this is our nature this is our heritage this is ours to protect now
our heritage this is ours to protect now
our heritage this is ours to protect now here’s possibly a little-known fact in
here’s possibly a little-known fact in
here’s possibly a little-known fact in response to the bloodthirsty backlash
response to the bloodthirsty backlash
response to the bloodthirsty backlash that sharks experienced in the wake of
that sharks experienced in the wake of
that sharks experienced in the wake of Jaws Peter Benchley said this knowing
Jaws Peter Benchley said this knowing
Jaws Peter Benchley said this knowing what I know now I could never write that
what I know now I could never write that
what I know now I could never write that book today and Peter spent a lot of the
book today and Peter spent a lot of the
book today and Peter spent a lot of the rest of his life defending sharks at the
rest of his life defending sharks at the
rest of his life defending sharks at the beginning of my talk I asked you what
beginning of my talk I asked you what
beginning of my talk I asked you what you’d been taught about sharks and I now
you’d been taught about sharks and I now
you’d been taught about sharks and I now hope that you’ll know this sharks are
hope that you’ll know this sharks are
hope that you’ll know this sharks are less deadly than vending machines
but when journalists write about sharks
but when journalists write about sharks they use jaws as a Fuss horas the every
they use jaws as a Fuss horas the every
they use jaws as a Fuss horas the every second breath that you take comes from
second breath that you take comes from
second breath that you take comes from the oceans and I hope that you’ll
the oceans and I hope that you’ll
the oceans and I hope that you’ll remember this for the sake of life on
remember this for the sake of life on
remember this for the sake of life on earth we need sharks and I really hope
earth we need sharks and I really hope
earth we need sharks and I really hope that you hang onto that thought and
that you hang onto that thought and
that you hang onto that thought and share it with your friends because I
share it with your friends because I
share it with your friends because I think the future of sharks lies in your
think the future of sharks lies in your
think the future of sharks lies in your hands
hands
hands after all the oceans most deadly
after all the oceans most deadly
after all the oceans most deadly predator is sitting in your seat thank
predator is sitting in your seat thank
predator is sitting in your seat thank you
[Music] [Applause]
[Music] [Applause]
when I learned to scuba dive
when I learned to scuba dive I had just one question for my dive
I had just one question for my dive
I had just one question for my dive instructor what do you do if you see a
instructor what do you do if you see a
instructor what do you do if you see a shark underwater he said don’t worry
shark underwater he said don’t worry
shark underwater he said don’t worry about it
about it
about it don’t worry about it it’s all that I’ve
don’t worry about it it’s all that I’ve
don’t worry about it it’s all that I’ve been worried about but that was nearly
been worried about but that was nearly
been worried about but that was nearly 20 years ago and I’ve been lucky enough
20 years ago and I’ve been lucky enough
20 years ago and I’ve been lucky enough since then to dive around the world
since then to dive around the world
since then to dive around the world alongside dozens of different species of
alongside dozens of different species of
alongside dozens of different species of sharks and you know what he was
sharks and you know what he was
sharks and you know what he was absolutely right in the company of
absolutely right in the company of
absolutely right in the company of sharks I’ve never felt fear or concern
sharks I’ve never felt fear or concern
sharks I’ve never felt fear or concern or panic instead I’ve only felt calm and
or panic instead I’ve only felt calm and
or panic instead I’ve only felt calm and joy and reverence if you’ve ever seen a
joy and reverence if you’ve ever seen a
joy and reverence if you’ve ever seen a lion on safari you’ll know exactly what
lion on safari you’ll know exactly what
lion on safari you’ll know exactly what I’m talking about
I’m talking about
I’m talking about but if a new diver came to me today and
but if a new diver came to me today and
but if a new diver came to me today and asked me the same question that I had
asked me the same question that I had
asked me the same question that I had way back when I know that I would tell
way back when I know that I would tell
way back when I know that I would tell them this don’t worry about seeing a
them this don’t worry about seeing a
them this don’t worry about seeing a shark worry about never seeing a shark
shark worry about never seeing a shark
shark worry about never seeing a shark you see I’ve become increasingly
you see I’ve become increasingly
you see I’ve become increasingly concerned at how of a man 18 myth has
concerned at how of a man 18 myth has
concerned at how of a man 18 myth has become bigger than the truth and the
become bigger than the truth and the
become bigger than the truth and the disastrous consequences of hanging onto
disastrous consequences of hanging onto
disastrous consequences of hanging onto that belief the conservationist babo
that belief the conservationist babo
that belief the conservationist babo Dion says in the end we will conserve
Dion says in the end we will conserve
Dion says in the end we will conserve only what we love we will love only what
only what we love we will love only what
only what we love we will love only what we understand and we will understand
we understand and we will understand
we understand and we will understand only what we’re taught think about that
only what we’re taught think about that
only what we’re taught think about that for a second what have you ever been
for a second what have you ever been
for a second what have you ever been taught about sharks whatever you’re
taught about sharks whatever you’re
taught about sharks whatever you’re thinking I know that you’re not alone at
thinking I know that you’re not alone at
thinking I know that you’re not alone at the end of 2017 a piece of research was
the end of 2017 a piece of research was
the end of 2017 a piece of research was done in to the British public’s
done in to the British public’s
done in to the British public’s attitudes toward sharks and the oceans
attitudes toward sharks and the oceans
attitudes toward sharks and the oceans and I’d like to share with you two
and I’d like to share with you two
and I’d like to share with you two standout statistics the first is this
standout statistics the first is this
standout statistics the first is this nearly half of all Brits think that
nearly half of all Brits think that
nearly half of all Brits think that sharks are more terrifying than snakes
sharks are more terrifying than snakes
sharks are more terrifying than snakes spiders and rodents combined but more
spiders and rodents combined but more
spiders and rodents combined but more for me is the fact that 64% of Brits
for me is the fact that 64% of Brits
for me is the fact that 64% of Brits would prefer sharks not to exist
would prefer sharks not to exist
would prefer sharks not to exist so today I’d really like to tell you why
so today I’d really like to tell you why
so today I’d really like to tell you why I think sharks are so unloved why some
I think sharks are so unloved why some
I think sharks are so unloved why some sharks are on the brink of extinction
sharks are on the brink of extinction
sharks are on the brink of extinction and why for the sake of life on earth we
and why for the sake of life on earth we
and why for the sake of life on earth we have to change our attitudes toward
have to change our attitudes toward
have to change our attitudes toward sharks but if you’re one of the 64% it’s
sharks but if you’re one of the 64% it’s
sharks but if you’re one of the 64% it’s probably easy to explain it’s just one
probably easy to explain it’s just one
probably easy to explain it’s just one word why you’re terrified of shark’s
jaws now it might seem really cliched to
jaws now it might seem really cliched to point the finger at the 1975 movie but
point the finger at the 1975 movie but
point the finger at the 1975 movie but it does seem to be the moment when the
it does seem to be the moment when the
it does seem to be the moment when the Western world collectively screamed get
Western world collectively screamed get
Western world collectively screamed get out of the water and it’s not my
out of the water and it’s not my
out of the water and it’s not my ambition to point the blame or levy the
ambition to point the blame or levy the
ambition to point the blame or levy the blame for this Universal fear and
blame for this Universal fear and
blame for this Universal fear and loathing of sharks or the doorstep of
loathing of sharks or the doorstep of
loathing of sharks or the doorstep of Peter Benchley who wrote the book
Peter Benchley who wrote the book
Peter Benchley who wrote the book wearing the check shirt or indeed if you
wearing the check shirt or indeed if you
wearing the check shirt or indeed if you recognize him a very young Steven
recognize him a very young Steven
recognize him a very young Steven Spielberg in the middle who directed the
Spielberg in the middle who directed the
Spielberg in the middle who directed the movie but I think we can all be agreed
movie but I think we can all be agreed
movie but I think we can all be agreed on this that movie terrified us but if
on this that movie terrified us but if
on this that movie terrified us but if 1975 was the moment in time when sharks
1975 was the moment in time when sharks
1975 was the moment in time when sharks were first globally portrayed as
were first globally portrayed as
were first globally portrayed as man-eating monsters how come four
man-eating monsters how come four
man-eating monsters how come four decades later nearly half of all Brits
decades later nearly half of all Brits
decades later nearly half of all Brits are still terrified of sharks well
are still terrified of sharks well
are still terrified of sharks well here’s what I think
here’s what I think
here’s what I think jaws never died
jaws never died
jaws never died now that’s not a clever premise for Jaws
now that’s not a clever premise for Jaws
now that’s not a clever premise for Jaws five and six but what I really need to
five and six but what I really need to
five and six but what I really need to tell you is that I think the media has
tell you is that I think the media has
tell you is that I think the media has kept jaws alive after all you will have
kept jaws alive after all you will have
kept jaws alive after all you will have all seen headlines like this and this it
all seen headlines like this and this it
all seen headlines like this and this it seems to me that if you’re a journalist
seems to me that if you’re a journalist
seems to me that if you’re a journalist you can’t write about sharks without
you can’t write about sharks without
you can’t write about sharks without using words stolen from the book it
using words stolen from the book it
using words stolen from the book it seems that there’s an unwritten law that
seems that there’s an unwritten law that
seems that there’s an unwritten law that you must write about sharks using words
you must write about sharks using words
you must write about sharks using words like killer maneater menacing razor
like killer maneater menacing razor
like killer maneater menacing razor tooth beast and by my finger in the air
tooth beast and by my finger in the air
tooth beast and by my finger in the air calculation barely three days go by
calculation barely three days go by
calculation barely three days go by between headlines like this and I think
between headlines like this and I think
between headlines like this and I think it’s just often enough to keep the myth
it’s just often enough to keep the myth
it’s just often enough to keep the myth alive and to back up my claim here are
alive and to back up my claim here are
alive and to back up my claim here are just a few headlines from the first two
just a few headlines from the first two
just a few headlines from the first two weeks of this year can you see the theme
weeks of this year can you see the theme
weeks of this year can you see the theme but here’s the thing jaws wasn’t a
but here’s the thing jaws wasn’t a
but here’s the thing jaws wasn’t a documentary on average British cows kill
documentary on average British cows kill
documentary on average British cows kill more people than all the sharks in the
more people than all the sharks in the
more people than all the sharks in the world combined
world combined
world combined [Music]
in fact last year hundreds more people
in fact last year hundreds more people died from toasters from dog bites from
died from toasters from dog bites from
died from toasters from dog bites from these things from lightning strikes
these things from lightning strikes
these things from lightning strikes incredibly more people last year died
incredibly more people last year died
incredibly more people last year died from falling vending machines and from
from falling vending machines and from
from falling vending machines and from taking selfies without paying proper
taking selfies without paying proper
taking selfies without paying proper attention we just never seem to see
attention we just never seem to see
attention we just never seem to see those headlines and I think those
those headlines and I think those
those headlines and I think those headlines have created a blind spot in
headlines have created a blind spot in
headlines have created a blind spot in the mind of the public when it comes to
the mind of the public when it comes to
the mind of the public when it comes to shark conservation and I’d go as far as
shark conservation and I’d go as far as
shark conservation and I’d go as far as to say that I think those headlines have
to say that I think those headlines have
to say that I think those headlines have legitimized the mass slaughter of sharks
legitimized the mass slaughter of sharks
legitimized the mass slaughter of sharks you see just 1% of Brits had any idea
you see just 1% of Brits had any idea
you see just 1% of Brits had any idea that 73 million sharks are killed every
that 73 million sharks are killed every
that 73 million sharks are killed every year 73 million sharks that means that
year 73 million sharks that means that
year 73 million sharks that means that global fishing fleets are heading out to
global fishing fleets are heading out to
global fishing fleets are heading out to sea and they’re catching around 200,000
sea and they’re catching around 200,000
sea and they’re catching around 200,000 sharks every day that’s two every second
sharks every day that’s two every second
sharks every day that’s two every second a nature can’t keep up and the primary
a nature can’t keep up and the primary
a nature can’t keep up and the primary reason that they’re catching shark so
reason that they’re catching shark so
reason that they’re catching shark so fast has a lot to do with this shark fin
fast has a lot to do with this shark fin
fast has a lot to do with this shark fin soup the popularity of this dish has
soup the popularity of this dish has
soup the popularity of this dish has skyrocketed and as a result shark fins
skyrocketed and as a result shark fins
skyrocketed and as a result shark fins have become one of the most valuable
have become one of the most valuable
have become one of the most valuable seafood items on the planet and it has
seafood items on the planet and it has
seafood items on the planet and it has created a marine goldrush for sharks but
created a marine goldrush for sharks but
created a marine goldrush for sharks but there’s a sinister twist to this shark
there’s a sinister twist to this shark
there’s a sinister twist to this shark fins are worth a great deal of money
fins are worth a great deal of money
fins are worth a great deal of money shark meat considerably less so and
shark meat considerably less so and
shark meat considerably less so and that’s a fact that isn’t lost on many
that’s a fact that isn’t lost on many
that’s a fact that isn’t lost on many unscrupulous fishermen who rather than
unscrupulous fishermen who rather than
unscrupulous fishermen who rather than pay for the fuel to bring an entire
pay for the fuel to bring an entire
pay for the fuel to bring an entire shark carcass back to port instead
shark carcass back to port instead
shark carcass back to port instead choose to take the valuable bits in a
choose to take the valuable bits in a
choose to take the valuable bits in a practice known as shark finning they
practice known as shark finning they
practice known as shark finning they would bring the shark to the boat and
would bring the shark to the boat and
would bring the shark to the boat and then systematically hack off its dorsal
then systematically hack off its dorsal
then systematically hack off its dorsal fin its pectoral fins and it’s tell fin
fin its pectoral fins and it’s tell fin
fin its pectoral fins and it’s tell fin before throwing it overboard to die a
before throwing it overboard to die a
before throwing it overboard to die a long lingering
long lingering
long lingering death as far as I’m concerned this is
death as far as I’m concerned this is
death as far as I’m concerned this is the marine equivalent of killing an
the marine equivalent of killing an
the marine equivalent of killing an elephant for its tusks and as a result
elephant for its tusks and as a result
elephant for its tusks and as a result in some parts of the world iconic
in some parts of the world iconic
in some parts of the world iconic species of sharks like the hammerhead
species of sharks like the hammerhead
species of sharks like the hammerhead the thresher the oceanic whitetip and
the thresher the oceanic whitetip and
the thresher the oceanic whitetip and the silky have seen their numbers
the silky have seen their numbers
the silky have seen their numbers depleted by about eighty to ninety
depleted by about eighty to ninety
depleted by about eighty to ninety percent in some parts of the world but
percent in some parts of the world but
percent in some parts of the world but let me tell you two more examples of how
let me tell you two more examples of how
let me tell you two more examples of how I think the deck is stacked against
I think the deck is stacked against
I think the deck is stacked against sharks closer to home and the first is
sharks closer to home and the first is
sharks closer to home and the first is this right now there are no EU or
this right now there are no EU or
this right now there are no EU or international catch limits for most
international catch limits for most
international catch limits for most sharks caught in the Atlantic of course
sharks caught in the Atlantic of course
sharks caught in the Atlantic of course there are quotas for tuna and hate and
there are quotas for tuna and hate and
there are quotas for tuna and hate and halibut but none for sharks
halibut but none for sharks
halibut but none for sharks this mismanagement of the oceans has
this mismanagement of the oceans has
this mismanagement of the oceans has allowed Spain to become the third
allowed Spain to become the third
allowed Spain to become the third largest shark fishing nation in the
largest shark fishing nation in the
largest shark fishing nation in the world the second example is somewhat
world the second example is somewhat
world the second example is somewhat more quirky but as I explained I’m sure
more quirky but as I explained I’m sure
more quirky but as I explained I’m sure you’ll agree that this couldn’t occur to
you’ll agree that this couldn’t occur to
you’ll agree that this couldn’t occur to any other apex predator in the world
any other apex predator in the world
any other apex predator in the world when you travel back into Europe from
when you travel back into Europe from
when you travel back into Europe from abroad you have a personal import
abroad you have a personal import
abroad you have a personal import allowance most of you will know that
allowance most of you will know that
allowance most of you will know that that’s the ruling that allows you to
that’s the ruling that allows you to
that’s the ruling that allows you to bring a liter of spirits and 200
bring a liter of spirits and 200
bring a liter of spirits and 200 cigarettes through customs without
cigarettes through customs without
cigarettes through customs without looking guilty but that same ruling also
looking guilty but that same ruling also
looking guilty but that same ruling also allows you to bring 20 kilos of shark
allows you to bring 20 kilos of shark
allows you to bring 20 kilos of shark fins it will have been derived from 25
fins it will have been derived from 25
fins it will have been derived from 25 speed or 25 shots will make 705 bowls of
speed or 25 shots will make 705 bowls of
speed or 25 shots will make 705 bowls of soup and it will have a black market
soup and it will have a black market
soup and it will have a black market value of around three and a half
value of around three and a half
value of around three and a half thousand pounds so I think things are
thousand pounds so I think things are
thousand pounds so I think things are stacked against sharks we have a public
stacked against sharks we have a public
stacked against sharks we have a public fear and loathing we’ve got media
fear and loathing we’ve got media
fear and loathing we’ve got media reports that are nothing but sensational
reports that are nothing but sensational
reports that are nothing but sensational and then we have loopholes in the law
and then we have loopholes in the law
and then we have loopholes in the law like this but if you’re one of the 64%
like this but if you’re one of the 64%
like this but if you’re one of the 64% here’s the terrifying truth about sharks
here’s the terrifying truth about sharks
here’s the terrifying truth about sharks we need them we need them because for
we need them we need them because for
we need them we need them because for 450 million years they have been shaping
450 million years they have been shaping
450 million years they have been shaping our oceans since before the dinosaurs
our oceans since before the dinosaurs
our oceans since before the dinosaurs walked the earth we need them because
walked the earth we need them because
walked the earth we need them because they’re apex predators and they sit at
they’re apex predators and they sit at
they’re apex predators and they sit at the top of a fragile marine food web the
the top of a fragile marine food web the
the top of a fragile marine food web the theme of today’s talks is out of order
theme of today’s talks is out of order
theme of today’s talks is out of order and scientists say that if we carry on
and scientists say that if we carry on
and scientists say that if we carry on catching sharks at this colossal rate it
catching sharks at this colossal rate it
catching sharks at this colossal rate it will throw the underwater world into
will throw the underwater world into
will throw the underwater world into chaos and worst case scenario is that we
chaos and worst case scenario is that we
chaos and worst case scenario is that we will lose all the familiar seafood that
will lose all the familiar seafood that
will lose all the familiar seafood that the world relies upon as a source of
the world relies upon as a source of
the world relies upon as a source of protein worst case scenario is that the
protein worst case scenario is that the
protein worst case scenario is that the oceans become dominated by jellyfish and
oceans become dominated by jellyfish and
oceans become dominated by jellyfish and there’s a very real chance that the
there’s a very real chance that the
there’s a very real chance that the oceans will turn green algae blooms will
oceans will turn green algae blooms will
oceans will turn green algae blooms will smother the oceans ability to produce
smother the oceans ability to produce
smother the oceans ability to produce oxygen and absorb co2 in fact please
oxygen and absorb co2 in fact please
oxygen and absorb co2 in fact please will you all join me in consciously
will you all join me in consciously
will you all join me in consciously taking two deep breaths in through the
taking two deep breaths in through the
taking two deep breaths in through the nose and out through the mouth are you
nose and out through the mouth are you
nose and out through the mouth are you ready well certainly the oxygen in your
ready well certainly the oxygen in your
ready well certainly the oxygen in your first breath will have come from the
first breath will have come from the
first breath will have come from the rainforests from plants and trees and
rainforests from plants and trees and
rainforests from plants and trees and vegetation and the oxygen in your second
vegetation and the oxygen in your second
vegetation and the oxygen in your second breath will certainly have come from the
breath will certainly have come from the
breath will certainly have come from the oceans specifically plankton kelp and
oceans specifically plankton kelp and
oceans specifically plankton kelp and sea grass now I can tell you that a
sea grass now I can tell you that a
sea grass now I can tell you that a square meter of sea grass will produce
square meter of sea grass will produce
square meter of sea grass will produce 10 liters of oxygen a day and it can
10 liters of oxygen a day and it can
10 liters of oxygen a day and it can absorb 35 times more co2 than an
absorb 35 times more co2 than an
absorb 35 times more co2 than an equivalent patch of rainforest if you’re
equivalent patch of rainforest if you’re
equivalent patch of rainforest if you’re one of the 12 million people that tuned
one of the 12 million people that tuned
one of the 12 million people that tuned into blue planet 2 you may remember a
into blue planet 2 you may remember a
into blue planet 2 you may remember a sequence whereby just the mere presence
sequence whereby just the mere presence
sequence whereby just the mere presence of sharks kept Turtles on their toes and
of sharks kept Turtles on their toes and
of sharks kept Turtles on their toes and stopped them from over grazing important
stopped them from over grazing important
stopped them from over grazing important areas of seagrass so David Attenborough
areas of seagrass so David Attenborough
areas of seagrass so David Attenborough told
told
told so it would seem that the prairies and
so it would seem that the prairies and
so it would seem that the prairies and their sharks are surprising allies in
their sharks are surprising allies in
their sharks are surprising allies in the fight against a warming climate so
the fight against a warming climate so
the fight against a warming climate so if we mess with sharks we mess with the
if we mess with sharks we mess with the
if we mess with sharks we mess with the oceans and if we mess with the oceans we
oceans and if we mess with the oceans we
oceans and if we mess with the oceans we mess with the lungs and the larder of
mess with the lungs and the larder of
mess with the lungs and the larder of the planet as the national geographic
the planet as the national geographic
the planet as the national geographic ocean explorer-in-residence
ocean explorer-in-residence
ocean explorer-in-residence dr. Sylvia Earle so succinctly said no
dr. Sylvia Earle so succinctly said no
dr. Sylvia Earle so succinctly said no blue no green if the oceans die we die
blue no green if the oceans die we die
blue no green if the oceans die we die strong words I know but when I see those
strong words I know but when I see those
strong words I know but when I see those words I see a challenge a challenge to
words I see a challenge a challenge to
words I see a challenge a challenge to protect the Lions and the leopards of
protect the Lions and the leopards of
protect the Lions and the leopards of the ocean because if you want to protect
the ocean because if you want to protect
the ocean because if you want to protect the oceans you have to start with sharks
the oceans you have to start with sharks
the oceans you have to start with sharks and the best bit it’s not too late
and the best bit it’s not too late
and the best bit it’s not too late around the world brilliant organizations
around the world brilliant organizations
around the world brilliant organizations are already putting a squeeze on a
are already putting a squeeze on a
are already putting a squeeze on a billion dollar shark fishing industry
billion dollar shark fishing industry
billion dollar shark fishing industry and I’m proud to tell you that in the UK
and I’m proud to tell you that in the UK
and I’m proud to tell you that in the UK the charity that I launched in Kingston
the charity that I launched in Kingston
the charity that I launched in Kingston called bike back is well on its way to
called bike back is well on its way to
called bike back is well on its way to making Britain the first country in the
making Britain the first country in the
making Britain the first country in the world to ban shark fin soup
now they say that Britain is a nation of
now they say that Britain is a nation of animal lovers and I would love to see
animal lovers and I would love to see
animal lovers and I would love to see that include sharks because the survey
that include sharks because the survey
that include sharks because the survey came back and it told us that 90 percent
came back and it told us that 90 percent
came back and it told us that 90 percent of Brits had no idea that we have more
of Brits had no idea that we have more
of Brits had no idea that we have more than 30 species of sharks in our waters
than 30 species of sharks in our waters
than 30 species of sharks in our waters including this the basking shark one in
including this the basking shark one in
including this the basking shark one in three people didn’t know about this and
three people didn’t know about this and
three people didn’t know about this and I think that’s such a shame because this
I think that’s such a shame because this
I think that’s such a shame because this gentle giant is as long as this stage it
gentle giant is as long as this stage it
gentle giant is as long as this stage it has a mouth as wide as a sofa but it
has a mouth as wide as a sofa but it
has a mouth as wide as a sofa but it only eats plankton then we’ve got this
only eats plankton then we’ve got this
only eats plankton then we’ve got this it’s the mako shark it’s the fastest
it’s the mako shark it’s the fastest
it’s the mako shark it’s the fastest shark in the world clocked at speeds of
shark in the world clocked at speeds of
shark in the world clocked at speeds of over 30 miles an hour and we have this
over 30 miles an hour and we have this
over 30 miles an hour and we have this the porbeagle shark which is possibly
the porbeagle shark which is possibly
the porbeagle shark which is possibly the closest thing that we have to the
the closest thing that we have to the
the closest thing that we have to the great white this is our nature this is
great white this is our nature this is
great white this is our nature this is our heritage this is ours to protect now
our heritage this is ours to protect now
our heritage this is ours to protect now here’s possibly a little-known fact in
here’s possibly a little-known fact in
here’s possibly a little-known fact in response to the bloodthirsty backlash
response to the bloodthirsty backlash
response to the bloodthirsty backlash that sharks experienced in the wake of
that sharks experienced in the wake of
that sharks experienced in the wake of Jaws Peter Benchley said this knowing
Jaws Peter Benchley said this knowing
Jaws Peter Benchley said this knowing what I know now I could never write that
what I know now I could never write that
what I know now I could never write that book today and Peter spent a lot of the
book today and Peter spent a lot of the
book today and Peter spent a lot of the rest of his life defending sharks at the
rest of his life defending sharks at the
rest of his life defending sharks at the beginning of my talk I asked you what
beginning of my talk I asked you what
beginning of my talk I asked you what you’d been taught about sharks and I now
you’d been taught about sharks and I now
you’d been taught about sharks and I now hope that you’ll know this sharks are
hope that you’ll know this sharks are
hope that you’ll know this sharks are less deadly than vending machines
but when journalists write about sharks
but when journalists write about sharks they use jaws as a Fuss horas the every
they use jaws as a Fuss horas the every
they use jaws as a Fuss horas the every second breath that you take comes from
second breath that you take comes from
second breath that you take comes from the oceans and I hope that you’ll
the oceans and I hope that you’ll
the oceans and I hope that you’ll remember this for the sake of life on
remember this for the sake of life on
remember this for the sake of life on earth we need sharks and I really hope
earth we need sharks and I really hope
earth we need sharks and I really hope that you hang onto that thought and
that you hang onto that thought and
that you hang onto that thought and share it with your friends because I
share it with your friends because I
share it with your friends because I think the future of sharks lies in your
think the future of sharks lies in your
think the future of sharks lies in your hands
hands
hands after all the oceans most deadly
after all the oceans most deadly
after all the oceans most deadly predator is sitting in your seat thank
predator is sitting in your seat thank
predator is sitting in your seat thank you
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