{"version":"1.0","type":"rich","provider_name":"Acast","provider_url":"https://acast.com","height":250,"width":700,"html":"<iframe src=\"https://embed.acast.com/$/61f9b731e619e20012dedf17/6a3b980826f9b8cadeb0b126?\" frameBorder=\"0\" width=\"700\" height=\"250\"></iframe>","title":"#189 Why Killing Sharks Won't Make Our Beaches Safer with Jessica Meeuwig","thumbnail_width":200,"thumbnail_height":200,"thumbnail_url":"https://open-images.acast.com/shows/61f9b731e619e20012dedf17/1782290098149-8baa02c7-17d4-445b-b36c-def21c3f88c1.jpeg?height=200","description":"<p>After a number of shark bites on Australian beaches, the calls for a cull are growing louder. But does killing sharks actually make us safer?</p><p><br></p><p>Marine ecologist Dr Jessica Meeuwig (UWA) joins Sarah Han-de-Beaux to separate fact from fear with the data:</p><p>Why Hawaii's 1950s cull of over 5,000 sharks did nothing to reduce bites.</p><p>Why Western Australia's $1.3 million drumline program caught zero white sharks.</p><p>Why “shark numbers are exploding” is biologically impossible.</p><p><br></p><p>Jessica unpacks the real ecological role sharks play, from protecting coral reefs to keeping seagrass beds intact, and lays out the evidence-based alternatives actually proven to reduce risk: drones, citizen science spotter programs, deterrent technology and serious investment in research.</p><p><br></p><p>A clear-eyed, compassionate, and urgently needed conversation for anyone who loves the ocean.</p><p><br></p><p>More Information</p><p><a href=\"http://www.meeuwig.org/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">http://www.meeuwig.org/</a></p><p><a href=\"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-bMn7RuW3Qc\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-bMn7RuW3Qc</a></p><p><a href=\"https://sharkspotters.org.za/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">https://sharkspotters.org.za/</a></p><p><a href=\"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ysa5OBhXz-Q\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ysa5OBhXz-Q</a></p><p><a href=\"https://www.nps.gov/yell/learn/management/wolf.htm?utm_source=chatgpt.com\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">https://www.nps.gov/yell/learn/management/wolf.htm</a></p><p><a href=\"https://www.aims.gov.au/information-centre/news-and-stories/sharks-increase-reef-resilience\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">https://www.aims.gov.au/information-centre/news-and-stories/sharks-increase-reef-resilience?</a>&nbsp;</p><p><a href=\"https://conbio.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/conl.12185\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">https://conbio.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/conl.12185</a></p><p><br></p><p>If you enjoy this podcast, please like and subscribe to our show wherever you get your podcasts.</p><p>Leave us a review and share this show with your friends.</p><p><br></p><p>It really helps us to reach more citizen scientists, like you.</p><p><br></p><p><strong>Contact the Show</strong></p><p>We are always looking for more guests to tell us about interesting citizen science projects, research and events.</p><p>You can email us at: <a href=\"mailto:info@citizenscienceshow.com\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">info@citizenscienceshow.com</a></p>","author_name":"Citizen Science Show"}