Shark Warz Cast
Gibbs - Shark Geneticist
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Ocean - The Model
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Luke - Tactical Engineer
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Safia - "Shark Girl"
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Skyler - The antagonist
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Weren’t we all into animals and nature until "turning into adults" caused us to forget about them? I believe we are suffering a great disconnect from the rest of this planet; depriving ourselves of the joys of nature while simultaneously building a gap between ourselves and other creatures...in fact we are steadily removing all other creatures that don't fit into our self-created existence of disconnection.
Sharks are unlikely underdogs, perceived as killers with little more purpose than to eat anything that is unfortunate enough to cross their paths. This is not the case, but telling people that isn’t as effective as showing them. In the meantime the entire species is being eradicated from the planet due to our ignorance.
I do what I do because I believe mankind is on a sick hamster wheel pursuing an unfulfilling God called money. It's the personal business of individuals to choose how to spend their lives, but when the pursuit of money comes at the expense of innocent animals then it becomes my business. Politicians, the media, and even scientists are lying and the common theme amongst their dishonesty is money. I'm here to expose them all.
Other weird shit about me? If I could keep the use of my limbs I'd let different species of sharks bite me so I could compare how their teeth are designed to cut, pierce, or slice.
Sharks are unlikely underdogs, perceived as killers with little more purpose than to eat anything that is unfortunate enough to cross their paths. This is not the case, but telling people that isn’t as effective as showing them. In the meantime the entire species is being eradicated from the planet due to our ignorance.
I do what I do because I believe mankind is on a sick hamster wheel pursuing an unfulfilling God called money. It's the personal business of individuals to choose how to spend their lives, but when the pursuit of money comes at the expense of innocent animals then it becomes my business. Politicians, the media, and even scientists are lying and the common theme amongst their dishonesty is money. I'm here to expose them all.
Other weird shit about me? If I could keep the use of my limbs I'd let different species of sharks bite me so I could compare how their teeth are designed to cut, pierce, or slice.
My Favorite Shark Stats...are actually hyped-up stats that show how stupid people are
- Sharks Migrate = Stupid Stat
- Assuming or expecting sharks to spend their lives in one general is our projection of our own way of living onto them. In reality humans are about the only thing that doesn’t migrate and that’s only because we manipulated our surroundings to allow us not to. Sharks spend their lives moving between different spots and always have. Putting it in the newspaper doesn’t make it new.
- Sharks sneak up on their prey = Stupid Stat
- Duh. I couldn’t believe what I was reading when I saw this article about scientists discovering that sharks hunt with stealth. Even people with our fading instincts know it’s better not to be seen when you intend to turn something into your food so how is it a discovery that the perfect predator does this?
- We must study and understand sharks to conserve sharks = Stupid Stat
- This is actually very simple. To save sharks we need to stop killing sharks. We are what kills them. We don’t need to develop a vaccine to fight a virus threatening sharks or protect them from other predators in the ocean. The only problem sharks have is humans. Perhaps we should spend some time studying ourselves and our valuation of money over life.
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Ocean – Freediver, Model, Badass
Growing up surfing and diving in Hawaii and San Diego, I’ve shared the water with sharks my entire life. I’m a professional scuba instructor, advanced free diver and surfer, and an avid swimmer. I went to college for marine biology and worked as an aquarist and curator with sharks and rays at 3 different marine parks. At home on Oahu, I regularly dive to photograph sharks. |
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I feel extremely fortunate that some of the greatest moments of my life have been diving with Great Whites. It’s difficult to express the incredible joy and breathtaking emotion experienced locking eyes with a Great White. Watching the sharks acknowledge and observe me while I peacefully allow them to swim towards me and the experience as they accept my touch. I hope that by sharing my experiences with sharks, I might inspire others to take action and help protect these amazing creatures before it’s too late.
Today, many shark species are on the brink of extinction. Scientists estimate that over the past 50 years, 90% of the world’s shark population has disappeared. We believe that in capturing and exhibiting images of sharks and humans interacting peacefully and intimately, we can help change the way people think about sharks. In doing so, we hope to promote sharks as they really are: amazing, beautiful, and important animals that need to be protected.
Today, many shark species are on the brink of extinction. Scientists estimate that over the past 50 years, 90% of the world’s shark population has disappeared. We believe that in capturing and exhibiting images of sharks and humans interacting peacefully and intimately, we can help change the way people think about sharks. In doing so, we hope to promote sharks as they really are: amazing, beautiful, and important animals that need to be protected.
Sharks function as the white blood cells of the ocean ecosystem. They pick off the dead, dying, and weak leaving only the healthiest to reproduce. Without sharks our ocean ecosystem would collapse; the health and productivity of the fish that humans and other mammals eat would degrade to the point that our human health and the amount of seafood available for consumption would also be jeopardized.
At this point in 2013, many sharks are now on the brink of extinction. Scientists estimate that over the past 50 years, 90% of the world’s shark population has disappeared. We hope that capturing images of sharks and humans interacting peacefully and intimately will help to change the way people think about sharks. To see sharks as they really are: amazing, beautiful, and important animals that need to be protected. The media hype surrounding these animals depicts them as evil demonic man-eating monsters. The truth is sharks do not see people as food and try avoiding contact with humans if possible. Humans are killing 100 million sharks each year and sharks accidentally kill 4 people worldwide.
At this point in 2013, many sharks are now on the brink of extinction. Scientists estimate that over the past 50 years, 90% of the world’s shark population has disappeared. We hope that capturing images of sharks and humans interacting peacefully and intimately will help to change the way people think about sharks. To see sharks as they really are: amazing, beautiful, and important animals that need to be protected. The media hype surrounding these animals depicts them as evil demonic man-eating monsters. The truth is sharks do not see people as food and try avoiding contact with humans if possible. Humans are killing 100 million sharks each year and sharks accidentally kill 4 people worldwide.
Luke Eller . Our Own MacGuyver
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Marine Science Student
ROV Pilot/Submersible Engineer Diver, Skipper, drummer, guitarist and other random titles. I have had an obsession with the ocean since i was a kid! This led to my studying and getting work as a ROV pilot, I fly remote control submarines for a job! I am also currently studying Marine Science, which got pushed back due to the ability to get work flying submarines. But why sharks!? Since I can remember all I wanted to was learn more and more about sharks! And the more I learn, the more it becomes obvious the how destructive humans have been for them both directly and indirectly! I believe conservation/protection is number one for sharks! Fighting for this 'by any means' is something i believe passionately in. |
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I remember when i was 17 hearing that they were planing on hunting and killing sharks responsible for "attacks" in my home state of Western Australia. I wrote letters/emails started petitions, I believed it wouldn't happen! I never imagined that 13 years later they would enact a "pre-emptive strike" on sharks by introducing drum lines! I felt I had to do what I could to help stop this destructive policy.
It is during this campaign that I was lucky to meet Safia! You would struggle to find someone more passionate about defending/protecting sharks! The perfect person to have on your side in a campaign like this! She has the passion, knowledge and ability to get what needs to be done, done! And once she finishes her studies she will only be an even greater ally then she already is for sharks! My favorite shark fact- It might be well known but its awesome! PREDATING ON SIBLINGS IN UTERO-Nothing screams survival of the fittest more intensely! What about when I am not getting all shark and ocean obsessed? Punk! I play drums in one band and guitar in another Luckily my band mates all support my involvement with shark conservation and understand when it holds me back from being as productive as I should be in the jam room!
It is during this campaign that I was lucky to meet Safia! You would struggle to find someone more passionate about defending/protecting sharks! The perfect person to have on your side in a campaign like this! She has the passion, knowledge and ability to get what needs to be done, done! And once she finishes her studies she will only be an even greater ally then she already is for sharks! My favorite shark fact- It might be well known but its awesome! PREDATING ON SIBLINGS IN UTERO-Nothing screams survival of the fittest more intensely! What about when I am not getting all shark and ocean obsessed? Punk! I play drums in one band and guitar in another Luckily my band mates all support my involvement with shark conservation and understand when it holds me back from being as productive as I should be in the jam room!
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Safia Maher – Shark Girl
University student studying Molecular and Ecological Genetics and Zoology. Outside of uni, time is spent snorkeling, being in the ocean and outdoors, Fin Free Melbourne stuff, Oceanic Apex Defense stuff, observing and collecting various pieces of nature, going haywire at punk gigs, and researching sharks. |
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So I have decided to dedicate my time to saving our planets most ecologically crucial inhabitants. Since expressing my frustration in letters to government officials has proven futile, I have taken up intense study. I hope to one day officially present some of my own research findings addressing the genetic integrity and viability of Australia’s shark populations in the wake of an ecologically irresponsible government.
In the mean time, taking to the streets with “NO FLAKE!” brochures and “Ban Shark Fin Soup” banners, working with the public, working with businesses to offer alternatives to selling shark products, grabbing a mask and wetty and ushering trapped marine life from the deathly confinement and entanglement of shark nets, getting out in the big blue and doing what needs to be done to ensure that NO sharks will be hanging lifeless in nets and on drumlines. Yes, a picture can change the minds of many, but direct action saves lives.
And finding people on the same page makes it work a thousand fold. Folk who are selfless, cunning, 100% switched on and devoid of a hectic ego are hard to find these days! Lucky I’ve found the perfect crew who tick all of these boxes and more.
Why sharks?
“If we don't change direction, we end up where we are going” - Anonymous
In the mean time, taking to the streets with “NO FLAKE!” brochures and “Ban Shark Fin Soup” banners, working with the public, working with businesses to offer alternatives to selling shark products, grabbing a mask and wetty and ushering trapped marine life from the deathly confinement and entanglement of shark nets, getting out in the big blue and doing what needs to be done to ensure that NO sharks will be hanging lifeless in nets and on drumlines. Yes, a picture can change the minds of many, but direct action saves lives.
And finding people on the same page makes it work a thousand fold. Folk who are selfless, cunning, 100% switched on and devoid of a hectic ego are hard to find these days! Lucky I’ve found the perfect crew who tick all of these boxes and more.
Why sharks?
“If we don't change direction, we end up where we are going” - Anonymous
Gibbs . Genetic ResearcherI work with sharks because it is fulfilling...and I love bad bitches and that's my fucken problem. This happened by accident as I was originally on the med-school track and somehow ended up in a shark cage. I'm willing to see this shark research path out, but I'm not sure where it would lead and I have no plans. Shark story...that time I met a young-of-the-year Great White face to face as if it was a puppy. I was in the cage and it repetitively came back to rub it's nose on the cage. Didn't come for food, but it seemed to want love. Nice shark.
A myth on sharks that I find appalling and hilarious is from fisherman who claim that sharks are eating on the fish which is why they would happily club a shark to death...like, WTM (what the myth?). |
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Cage diving and surfers...if we're talking about shark encounters on surfers due to cage diving, then I'm pretty sure (at least in Mossel Bay) that there is no correlation. Australia's government is not the problem; people are the problem. Commercial fisheries aren't the problem; the consumers are the problem. Poverty isn't the problem; we are. Time to stop treating school shootings by removing guns; fix the people, and that will fix the problem.
I've been working with sharks for two years at White Shark Africa. I'm a Scientist in Residence at White Shark Africa. I work for two amazing gents who are passionate about sharks and would give for them. Currently enrolled at Stellenbosch for a genetics degree which I am applying to smooth hammerhead sharks.
I've been working with sharks for two years at White Shark Africa. I'm a Scientist in Residence at White Shark Africa. I work for two amazing gents who are passionate about sharks and would give for them. Currently enrolled at Stellenbosch for a genetics degree which I am applying to smooth hammerhead sharks.
Andre . CaptainAlso starring Andre, our boat captain.
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Dre - The Captain
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Why this show will be a success:
- Anything about sharks is a win.
- Amazing, beautiful footage of sharks.
- Amazing footage of people and sharks swimming together.
- Lots of great white shark footage.
- Moving, heart-breaking footage of sharks being killed.
- Young, good-looking, shark scientist characters motivated to save sharks.
- A current social movement in the U.S. to save sharks.
- Well-known shark expert cameos.
- Accents! Americans love accents and we’ve got South African, Australian, British, and New Zealand accents.
My List of Contacts in the Shark World (I've already interviewed and have footage)
- Chris Fallows. Appearing in over 50 international documentaries Chris Fallows is a staple on shark week, probably most famous for the Air Jaws programs. Fallows has co-authored dozens of research papers and is a good friend of mine. He believes in what I am doing and has the balls to speak openly on controversial topics. Owns his own shark diving company and research program.
- Michael Rutzen - The Sharkman. Perhaps most famous for his starring roles in “Shark Man”, “Great White Living Legend”, and his Anderson Cooper 360 special, Michael Rutzen took open water diving with white sharks to new levels, including attempt to put them into a state of tonic immobility. A friend of mine. Owns his own shark diving company and research program.
- Andre Hartman. Andre is a legend and is widely regarded as the first man to ever show the world you can swim with great whites without being eaten, something that blew minds back when he first started it.
- Ralph Collier. Also a common face on shark week, Ralph founded the Shark Research Committee in 1963 and is widely known as the leading expert in white shark attacks. Friend. And very outspoken.
- Rodney Fox. The most famous shark attack survivor on the planet, Rodney transformed from shark killer to shark savior. He also owns his own shark diving company and research program. Friends.
- David McGuire - Northern California’s shark expert and most outspoken shark conservation activist. Holds a board chair at Monterey Bay Aquarium, California Academy of Sciences, and teaches at the University of San Francisco. Friends. We’ve worked together on many projects.
- James Moskito and Lawrence Groth. - Owners of Shark Diving International and both friends of mine. These guys run trips to the only two spots in the Americas to see great white sharks; Guadalupe and the Farallones.
- Kent Stannard - Owner of White Tag, a great white shark research company in Australia. Well known surfer as well and a friend.
- Christopher Neff - The only man in the world to hold a doctoral on shark politics. Brilliant. And a friend.
- Ocean Ramsey - model good looks, free-diver, biologist. Best known for free diving with a giant great white shark. Passionate shark conservationist. Cool person.
- Gibbs Kuguru - shark geneticist. Mainly important because he’s a good-looking black guy with dreadlocks who is also a shark scientist.
- Jessica Muiweg. - Shark scientist and professor in Western Australia. Friend.
- A list of over 50 people who are either in the field of shark research, shark diving, or shark conservation.
