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Unveiling Canada's Majestic Sharks: Insights from Marine Biologist Chris Harvey Clark

Dive into an enthralling episode of the 'What Are We Doing?' podcast with host David Evans and marine biologist Dr. Chris Harvey Clark. Discover the diverse shark species inhabiting Canadian waters, including elusive Greenland and great white sharks. Explore intriguing topics such as the sharks' unusual diets, including moose and caribou, and cultural delicacies like 'Haukark' made from Greenland shark. Chris shares captivating anecdotes and insights from his extensive marine research, revealing the effects of climate change, noise pollution, and the importance of marine protected areas. With a spotlight on consumer responsibility and sustainable practices, this episode also previews Chris's upcoming book, promising thrilling adventures beneath the waves.

Check out his book "In Search of the Great Canadian Shark".

To learn more about sharks in Canada check out these resources:
Sharks In Canada
St. Lawrence Shark Observatory

00:00 Deep Dive Interview: Sharks, Seas and Sustainability with Dr. Chris Harvey-Clark

00:35 Meet Chris Harvey Clark: Canada's Shark Expert

02:44 From Veterinary Science to Marine Biology: Chris's Journey

03:29 A Diverse Career: Elephants, Hummingbirds, and Aquatic Species

08:00 Innovative Conservation Efforts for Atlantic Whitefish

10:20 Shark Species in Canadian Waters: An Overview

13:42 The Fascinating World of Electric Rays

25:39 Shark Encounters and Attacks in Canadian History

36:55 Shark Encounters and Marine Life Observations

37:15 Shark Behavior and Seal Predation Patterns

38:33 A Diver's Close Encounter with a Great White Shark

44:27 Marine Conservation Efforts and Publishing Books

59:05 The Fascinating World of Greenland Sharks

01:05:13 Consumer Choices and Environmental Impact

01:13:55 Final Thoughts and Encouragement for Conservation

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The History and Ecosystem Impact of Sea Otters on Vancouver Island

The podcast episode explores the history and ecological impact of sea otters on the west coast of Canada, particularly near Vancouver Island. Hosted by David Evans of the Aquatic Biosphere Project, the episode features Linda Nichol from the Department of Fisheries and Oceans who discusses the reintroduction of sea otters from Alaska after they were lost from the region. The conversation covers the ecological role of sea otters, including their effect on kelp forests through the control of sea urchins, and the broader ecosystem changes resulting from their return. The challenges of coexistence with local fisheries and Indigenous communities are addressed, along with the overall benefits to marine biodiversity, ecotourism, and carbon sequestration. The episode also discusses broader topics related to marine conservation and ocean noise pollution affecting cetaceans, emphasizing the complex interactions within marine ecosystems.

Sea Otters:
NCC Northern Sea Otters: Click here

00:00 Introduction to Sea Otters
00:40 Reintroduction Efforts and Challenges
01:44 Podcast Introduction and Guest Introduction
03:25 History of Sea Otters on the West Coast
11:22 Ecological Role of Sea Otters
21:48 Impact on Local Communities and Fisheries
29:26 Effects of Human Activity and Conservation Efforts
43:24 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

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Happy World Ocean day and we hope you are celebrating Ocean Week Canada!

In this episode of the 'Water We Doing' podcast by the Aquatic Biosphere Project, host David Evans explores the incredible biodiversity of coastlines around the world and how humans can coexist with endangered species. Starting from Canada’s extensive coastlines, David discusses how these areas are biodiversity hotspots, essential for both nature and human activities. The episode takes listeners on a global tour, covering sea otters in Vancouver Island, little blue penguins in New Zealand, coastline dynamics in the Sundarbans of India and Bangladesh, and the impact of tourism on sea turtles in Greece. Lastly, David returns to Canada's east coast to discuss the resurgence of great white sharks.

Throughout the episode, experts like Linda Nichol, Elvisa Van der leden, Dinyar Minocher, Dr. Liam Dixon, and Dr. Chris Harvey Clark provide insights into how humans and these marine species navigate the challenges of sharing coastal spaces. Sponsored by the Canadian Ocean Literacy Coalition and Grant MacEwan University's Environmental Studies Institute, this episode is a deep dive into ocean conservation and the importance of sustainable interaction with marine life.

Did you know the podcast is now available on youtube? Click here to check out the video version of the show!

To learn more about:
Sea Otters:

• NCC Northern Sea Otters

Little Blue Penguins:

• Finding Little Blue
• Little Blue Penguins /Korora

Bengal Tigers and the Sundarbans:

• UNESCO World Heritage
• Sundarban Foundation

Sea Turtles in Greece

• Archelon, The Sea Turtle Protection Society of Greece

Great White Sharks in Canada:

• St. Lawrence Shark Observatory