Marine Life & Conservation
Three Part Series ‘Sharks’ To Begin Airing On The BBC Tonight
BBC’s Natural History Unit premiers the highly anticipated trilogy ‘Sharks’- the three part series is filled with inspiring footage and cutting edge science including a feature on manta rays with Dr. Andrea Marshall
The wait is finally over for one of the most anticipated programs of the year, BBC’s newest trilogy ‘Sharks.’ For the past two years, a team from the BBC’s Natural History Unit has been travelling the world, using the latest ultra HD and high-speed-camera technology to film 30 species of shark – and their cousins, the rays – in dozens of locations. This new series, narrated by Paul McGann, will change everything you thought about sharks, revealing all aspects of their lives and showing them to be intelligent, social and complex creatures.
The first film of the trilogy premiers on BBC One tonight (May 7th) at 20:55. It showcases the huge diversity of sharks and why they are such great hunters. The second film uncovers the secret lives of sharks and rays, from courtship and mating to the young growing up; from the remarkable ways they navigate the ocean to the surprising relationships they have developed with other creatures – including us.
‘Sharks: Beneath the Surface’ completes the trilogy. It showcases the extraordinary work of top scientists from across the world as they uncover the secrets of sharks, and examines the future of sharks as they face their darkest hour.
Marine Megafauna Foundation’s co-founder, Dr Andrea Marshall is one of the scientists featured in this final episode. She joined BBC crew in the most dramatic and compelling location in the world, San Benedicto, to film manta rays and to highlight the ground-breaking research her and her team are conducting around the world.
“I chose to focus on the social behaviour of manta rays. For years I have been working to understand more about the curiosity and intelligence of manta rays, something that sets them apart from most fish.” –Dr. Marshall
Manta rays are big, beautiful, harmless and impossibly friendly. In fact, Andrea finds it hard to think of many other megafauna species, marine or terrestrial, that choose to have extended up-close encounters with humans in the wild. As a result, Andrea believes manta rays could be an ambassador for the ray group- their gentle and inquisitive nature changing viewing audiences opinions about these misunderstood animals.
This is Andrea’s second engagement with the BBC, having previously featured in the Natural World documentary “Andrea: Queen of Mantas.” When “Queen of Mantas” originally debuted in the UK it achieved an audience share of 10.9% and subsequently went on to receive numerous awards and accolades, highlighting the growing interest in these extraordinary animals.
“With all of the negative or sensational media out there about sharks and rays these days, it was refreshing to be part of a production that is exploring the true nature of these animals, their role in our oceans and their value to us as humans. I really hope people turn off their reality TV shows and watch this spectacular tribute to one of the most exciting groups of animals in our oceans. Even if you are already a shark lover, like me, get ready to fall in love with these incredible animals all over again.” – Dr. Marshall
BBC ‘Sharks’ episode two airs on May 14th at 21:00 with the final episode expected a week later.
After a two-year tour of UK art galleries, community spaces and aquariums, the Shark Trust’s acclaimed Oceanic31 exhibition takes its final bow at the Royal Geographical Society later this month. And the unique collection of artwork, depicting 31 species of oceanic sharks and rays, donated by 31 artists, is now open for bids from art lovers and shark enthusiasts. The online auction, launched today, will close on the 7th December at 8pm (BST). The money raised will support the Shark Trust Oceanics Programme.
People can now bid on 27 of the artworks by visiting this website:
https://superstars-auctions.com/sharktrustauction
It is a chance to own a beautiful piece of original art and to support the Shark Trust. The timing of the auction also means that these would make a very special Christmas gift for any shark-lover.
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- Bigeye Thresher Shark by Janina Rossiter
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- Carcharodon carcharias by Jimmy Higgs
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- Croc VR 2030 by Tom Mead
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- Oceanic Whitetip by ATM
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- Silky Street by ScapaJoe
The diversity of pieces mirrors that of the sharks and rays they represent. You can bid on paintings, digital creations, sculptures, mixed media and more. You can pick your favourite artist or species of shark. Or you can select the perfect artwork to make a statement in your home or office. Whichever you choose, you will be supporting the work to protect these amazing animals.
One of the pieces of art has been selected to be auctioned live by Steve Backshall at the For the Love of Sharks event at the Royal Geographical Society in London on the 29th November. In addition to this, two further pieces will be raffled at this event, giving people a chance to win an incredible piece of shark art. For the Love of Sharks is the Shark Trust’s flagship evening. A night to celebrate sharks. Steve Backshall is the headline speaker at this event that will see other prominent shark advocates join him on stage.
Tickets for the event can be snapped up here:
https://thesharktrust.org.uk/Event/flos24
Those that would like to see the Oceanic 31 exhibition have one final chance. It is being displayed at the Pavilion at the Royal Geographic Society from 26th November until the 7th December. Entry is free.
Find out more here:
https://www.rgs.org/events/upcoming-events/oceanic-31
Paul Cox, Shark Trust CEO, Said “This exhibition has given us the opportunity to reach out to a new audience. And inspire more people with the wonderful sharks and rays on which our Big Shark Pledge campaign is based. We are immensely grateful to the 31 artists who have worked so hard to create these works.”
Bid for your favourite Oceanic 31 artwork here:
https://superstars-auctions.com/sharktrustauction
Banner Image: Smooth Hammerhead by Alicia Hayden
Until 28 November, prizes worth a massive £10,000 – including experiences, products and tuition – feature in a line-up of items that can be won for £5 in an online prize draw to celebrate Bite-Back Shark & Marine Conservation’s 20th anniversary and help generate crucial funds for the future.
Top of the list of prizes is the chance to spend time with adventurer and wildlife expert Steve Backshall, a workout session with Nat Geo star Aldo Kane, a kayaking trip alongside white-water expert and diver Sal Montgomery and a Zoom call with ‘shark whisperer’ Cristina Zenato.
On top of that, some of the most admired companies in the diving and scuba industry have been quick to support the charity with fabulous prizes that make the £5 ticket price worth more than just a flutter.
Master Liveaboards, BSAC, Midlands Diving Chamber, Go Freediving and Blue Shark Snorkel have all generously donated experience prizes, while celebrated photographer Alex Mustard has donated a print and artists Scott Gleed and Olivier Leger have donated a sculpture and illustration to help boost the fundraising pot.
Fourth Element has donated Ocean Positive gear and LA watch company Nodus has gifted the charity a stunning dive watch. For land lovers, the charity has included a five star London hotel stay at Bankside Hotel plus a family visit to Longleat Safari Park in the roster of prizes.
Campaign director for Bite-Back, Graham Buckingham, said: “We’ve been overwhelmed with support from companies and individuals that we truly admire and who have supported us on our 20 year journey and we’re truly grateful to them all. While we feel incredibly proud of our achievements over the past two decades – and we are super excited about the next chapter – this prize draw isn’t a vanity project. It represents a real lifeline to our work and important advancements in the global protection of sharks. So we hope divers, dive clubs and even bargain hunters grab some tickets to make this a massive success.”
The charity hopes that the prize draw will generate crucial funds to launch a brand new, ground-breaking, campaign to enrol the public and increase support for the protection of sharks around the world.
To enter the competition visit www.bite-back.com/prizedraw. The prize winners will be announced on 1 December 2024.
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