Ep33: Changing the Perception of Sharks with Tadzio Bervoets

Sharks have a bad rep. But Tadzio Bervoets is here to tell us why our fear should be replaced with respect and intrigue instead. These animals are keystone species that, if removed, can cause a cascading negative effect on the entire ocean ecosystem and human livelihoods- and it's already been witnessed in some places. We talk about how an obsession, not a fear, has been their main demise (an obsession for their fins), the unexpected way scientists get their hands on sharks, and how a trip to New York City can get you more bites than one to the beach.Tadzio is the Director of the Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance. He recently created the Caribbean Shark Coalition which aims to foster collaboration among various stakeholders in the greater Caribbean to increase the region's capacity for protecting sharks and rays.What can YOU do to help sharks?When doing shark diving tourism, be sure you are going with a reputable and responsible tour operator.Check if they are third-party certified.Ask what their safety protocols are.Be sure they don't let you swim too closely (there have been documented negative impacts on whale sharks because of improper diver interactions).Make sure operators use very little food to lure in the animals so they don't become dependent on humans to feed them.Don't be tempted by the lowest prices. If the standard cost is X, anything much lower is a red flag.To avoid sharks being caught as bycatch, support responsible fishing practices. You can use the Monterey Bay Aquarium's portable guide here.Don't buy any shark products, from jaws to leather to soup. If you would like a shark's tooth, buy a fossilized shark's tooth so as not to support the killing of these animals for their parts.Check to see if your fish oil supplement contains shark liver.Shark meat contains mercury. For your health, avoid eating it.Support policies for shark conservation and sound ocean governance.Donate to shark research and education efforts.Want a free guide to help you become a force for nature? Get it at https://forcesfornature.com/becoming-a-force-for-nature-free-guide/If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe, rate, and review! Hit me up on Instagram and Facebook (Page / Private Group) and let me know what eco-actions you have been taking. Adopting just one habit can be a game-changer because imagine if a billion people also adopted that!What difference for the world are you going to make today?Background music by Fearless Motivation Instrumentals: Meaning of Life.Want a free guide to help you become a force for nature? Get it HERE!If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe, rate, and review it! This helps to boost its visibility. Hit me up on Instagram and Facebook and let me know what actions you have been taking. Adopting just one habit can be a game-changer because imagine if a billion people also adopted that! What difference for the world are you going to make today?