Twilight Bites: The Foraging Behaviour of Sharks

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Ages: Recommended for 16+

Are they bloodthirsty predators that will devour anything in their wake, or, like humans, can they be a little more discerning, balancing their diets according to nutritional needs?

As the Senior Scientist for Shark Research with the NSW Department of Primary Industries, Dr Vic Peddemors has over 35 years of scientific research under his dive belt. In this instalment of Twilight Bites, Vic shares new research on the foraging behaviour of sharks and how that research can aid in the conservation of shark species around the globe.

Join us for canapes and conversation with the man responsible for the scientific investigation of human-shark interaction at the Department of Primary Industries.

Following the talk, explore the AM’s Sharks exhibition where a dedicated shark scientist will share their research and be on hand to answer your questions.

Dr Vic Peddemors is the senior scientist for shark research in the New South Wales Department of Primary Industries, providing scientific leadership for the group’s research and advisory effort. Vic has over 35 years scientific research experience in Antarctica, Australia, England, Holland, Mozambique and South Africa.

His research interests cover a wide range of marine apex predators, but have inevitably had an over-riding theme of ensuring human impacts on their populations are sustainable. His experiences have highlighted the requirement to ‘think outside of the box’ when it comes to developing new strategies in dealing with human-shark interactions, whether it be in protecting humans from sharks or sharks from humans.

Richard Grainger is a PhD student at the University of Sydney. Richard recently submitted his thesis which, with collaboration from the New South Wales Department of Primary Industries, examines the foraging ecology of white sharks in eastern Australia.

Richard’s research combines a variety of methods including analysis of stomach contents, biochemical markers in shark tissues, and tagging with shark-borne video cameras and sensors to reveal the hidden lives of white sharks – their diet, feeding patterns and behaviours. His work provides critical information for understanding white shark movements, their interactions with people, and their management and conservation.

Sharks is proudly supported by the NSW Government through the Blockbuster Funding initiative.