Discovery Lecture Series-Searching for “Lost Sharks”

Searching for “Lost Sharks”

By Dr. David A. Ebert, Pacific Shark Research Center / Moss Landing Marine Laboratories

The public’s perception of sharks often conjures up images of a large, fearsome, toothy predator, with its large dorsal fin cutting its way through the waters’ surface. However, the reality is that sharks and their relatives the rays (flatsharks) and chimaeras (ghostsharks) come in a variety of sizes, shapes, and colors, and can be informative of the health of the marine environment.

The number of sharks and their relatives has increased exponentially over the past 15 years with over 20% of all known species having been described. Despite such a rich and diverse fauna, the majority of sharks and their relatives have largely been “lost” in a hyper-driven media age whereby a few large charismatic sharks overshadow the majority of shark species. While these mega-stars, such as the Great White Shark, receive much media adulation and are the focus of numerous conservation and “scientific” efforts, the “Lost Sharks” remain largely unknown not only to the public, but also to the scientific and conservation communities.

Dr. Dave Ebert has devoted his life to studying the ocean’s most elusive, dangerous and yet fascinating predator – the shark! His adventurous search for Lost Sharks has taken him from his modest hometown in California to the Emperor’s glorious Palace in Tokyo, the dazzling Skeleton Coast of Namibia, and the vibrant streets of Cape Town. His global explorations have led to the discovery of over 50 new shark species.

A popular television guest, Dave has appeared on various programs for the BBC, Discovery Channel, National Geographic, Discovery Canada, ABC’s Good Morning America, NBC’s Today Show, and NBC News. As a regular on Shark Week, Dave has led expeditions in search of the rarest, most elusive sharks in the world. He has even discovered new shark species while filming on location. Author of 30 books, including the forthcoming “Sharks of the World”, Dave holds numerous positions including President of the American Elasmobranch Society, Director of the Pacific Shark Research Center, Scientific Advisor to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization, Research Associate at the California Academy of Sciences and South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity, and the IUCN Shark Specialist Group.

Whether he is sharing anecdotes about dining with royalty or hanging with fishermen in remote African or Taiwanese villages, Dave’s delivery is heartwarming and compelling. He brings the audience along on his own personal journey with vivid stories of exploration, discovery, and travel from his most recent adventures.

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