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SHARKFEST is making a comeback on Nat Geo starting July 10 of this year to celebrate the programming’s 10th anniversary in the best way ever. With new original content about more than 15 different shark species and footage from all around the world, including Australia, the Galápagos Islands, South Africa, Costa Rica, California, Hawaii, Massachusetts, The Maldives, Florida, Maine, and more, SHARKFEST is the must-see event of the year. The 60 hours of enhanced content with stunning visuals and fascinating science of the iconic apex predator are brought to viewers by the most successful shark experts, marine biologists, and other professionals known to be the stars of SHARKFEST. Here are the shark experts behind the iconic SHARKFEST’s 10th anniversary.

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Meet The Guest Star In SHARKFEST’s “World’s Biggest Hammerhead?”

The Ph.D. student, under the joint supervision of Drs. Papastamatiou and Chapman, Candace Fields, who is originally from the Bahamas, was a key member of the pelagic research team at the Cape Eleuthera Institute, where she spent two years after finishing her undergraduate degree in Pennsylvania.

Fields will be the guest star in SHARKFEST’s “World’s Biggest Hammerhead?” where she will focus on the geographic population structure and population dynamics of large predators during her research. Candace is also a Bahamian advocate for the protection and importance of rays and sharks in the Bahamas. She’s also passionate about shark conservation.

What To Expect On “World’s Biggest Hammerhead?” Episode

Giant great hammerhead sharks that measure up to twenty feet in length exist in real life. This is according to numerous reports on this matter. As a result, a team of experts and scientists from Florida International University decided to investigate the area off the Florida coast in a bid to locate the world’s most giant hammerhead. This includes exploring the sharky waters of the Bahamas, the numerous Florida Keys bridges, and everything in between.

  • Showtime: World’s Biggest Hammerhead? premieres on National Geographic on July 18 at 10/9c. The SHARKFEST episode also airs on Disney XD on July 24 at 9/8c and on Nat Geo WILD on August 3 at 10/9c.

This SHARKFEST Longtime Star Explains The Rising Shark Attacks On Boats

Marine ecologist and executive dean of the College of Arts, Sciences & Education (CASE), Dr. Mike Heithaus, is also a Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at Florida International University (FIU). Dr. Heithaus specializes in the ecological importance of large marine species, including sharks. He is also an expert on predator-prey interactions.

Heithaus has long partnered with National Geographic, where he was involved in the production of more than a dozen natural history documentaries. Many of these have been featured on SHARKFEST. He also conducted studies using the Crittercam during his work with Nat Geo’s Remote Imaging Department. Audiences of all ages appreciate the efforts of Dr. Heithaus, who brought them the excitement of scientific discovery and exploration.

What To Expect On “Jaws Vs. Boats” Episode

Sharks, including great whites, attacking boats angrily and ferociously is a new trend appearing on many viral YouTube videos. However, many wonder if this behavior has just come to light only because more people have cameras to record the behavior. This is why Dr. Mike Heithaus, along with Ph.D. candidate Sara Casareto will investigate this matter and reveal the reasons behind shark attacks on boats during SHARKFEST’s “Jaws Vs. Boats” episode.

  • Showtime: Jaws Vs. Boats premieres on National Geographic on July 17 at 8/7c. The SHARKFEST episode also airs on Disney XD on July 23 at 9/8c and on Nat Geo WILD on August 5 at 9/8c.

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Meet The SHARKFEST Star Uncovering Startling New Theories About Shark Attacks

Latina marine biologist, TV presenter, explorer, and TEDx speaker, Melissa Cristina Márquez is known for translating jargon and complex scientific concepts into easy-to-understand language by the general public. Márquez promotes ocean conservation issues, intersectional environmentalism, and exploration during her frequent travels around the world. She is also the author of the “Wild Survival” Scholastic series.

Melissa appeared on the Forbes “30 Under 30” list of honorees in science in 2020 and has been recognized as one of BBC’s 100 Influential and Inspirational Women. Today, she is studying long-term change in the habitat use of elasmobranchs and human-wildlife conflict as part of her Ph.D. at Curtin University. Melissa is the guest star in SHARKFEST’s hit series, “Shark Attack Files.”

What To Expect On “Shark Attack Files” Series

In the eight-episode series, cutting-edge technology is used by scientists, including Melissa Cristina Márquez, to investigate startling new theories about the most shocking shark attacks around the world. “Shark Attack Files” uncovers whether sharks are entering urban environments, if they’re prone to shipwrecks and whether pregnant sharks are more likely to kill. The series also reveals why sharks prefer to attack men, whether humans outsmart sharks and other stunning facts.

  • Showtime: Shark Attack Files series premieres on National Geographic on July 18 with two episodes at 8/7c and 9/8c. The SHARKFEST series also airs on Nat Geo WILD on August 7 at 6/5c.

Other shark experts making appearances on SHARKFEST’s 10th anniversary include marine biologist Carlee Jackson, senior white shark biologist Alison Towner, shark scientist Gibbs Kuguru, marine biologist and world-famous documentary host Ryan Johnson, Jasmin Graham, and Sara Casareto.