Guitarfish genetics take center stage in this inspiring episode as Bryan Huerta shares how his fascination with sharks at the massive La Nueva Viga fish market in Mexico City sparked his entire scientific path. His early curiosity grew into formal research that now examines the guitarfish sold as Pez Diablo in Mexican markets, where he used molecular tools to identify species and highlight conservation concerns.

Marine conservation research also shaped Bryan's career through field experience in the Northern Gulf of Mexico where he helped run longline surveys, learned dissection and biological sampling, and worked with leading shark scientists including Dr. Marcus Drymon and Dr. Nicole Phillips. His story illustrates how dedication, language learning, and crossing borders opened doors in science and advanced important work in the genetics and management of threatened rays.

Shark research careers come to life in this conversation that highlights Bryan's upcoming PhD, his marathon-running discipline, and his commitment to filling knowledge gaps for understudied elasmobranchs. His journey offers a roadmap for aspiring scientists navigating international education, language barriers, and the practical challenges of breaking into the shark science world.

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Dave:
Website: https://www.lostsharkguy.com/
Instagram: https://bit.ly/3q1J9Q5
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@lostsharkguy

Andrew:
Website: https://www.speakupforblue.com/
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YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SpeakUpForBlueTV

Shark Identification Training

In this episode of Beyond Jaws, Andrew Lewin and Dr. David Ebert welcome back Dr. Ivy Baremore from MarAlliance to talk about an incredible deep-sea shark identification workshop held in Honduras. The workshop brought together scientists, students, and even local diving enthusiasts to learn how to identify some of the most mysterious sharks in the Caribbean. Ivy shares what inspired the training, how it came together after nearly a decade of planning, and why empowering local researchers is the first step in conserving deep-sea species.

Deep Sea Conservation in Honduras

Dr. Baremore explains the challenges of shark research in Honduras, where the nation's waters cover more area than its land, yet much of it remains unexplored. She describes how limited taxonomy resources and few local experts make workshops like this essential for future conservation. David and Ivy also reveal some of the surprises that came up during dissections, including unexpected findings in gulper sharks, and how this work is helping create national plans for shark and ray conservation across Central America.

Training Tomorrow's Marine Biologists

The conversation dives into how community involvement from students as young as 13 to professional divers helps build local ownership of ocean science. The episode captures the joy, curiosity, and collaboration that come from working hands-on with sharks, showing how education and science communication are transforming the future of marine biology in developing regions.

Connect with us:

Website: https://bit.ly/37TMqeK
Instagram: https://bit.ly/3eorwXZ
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@beyondjawspodcast7591

Dave:
Website: https://www.lostsharkguy.com/
Instagram: https://bit.ly/3q1J9Q5
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@lostsharkguy

Andrew:
Website: https://www.speakupforblue.com/
Instagram: https://bit.ly/37g5WkG
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SpeakUpForBlueTV

Madagascar Environment takes center stage in this episode of Beyond Jaws, where co-host Dr. David Ebert shares stories from his latest fieldwork on one of the planet's most unique islands. From long days on the water to surprising new shark encounters, David reveals what makes Madagascar such an incredible place for marine research and conservation.

This episode dives into the realities of working in remote field conditions, the thrill of discovering new species, and the importance of connecting local communities to conservation goals. Madagascar's waters hold a mix of mystery and urgency, and David's insights show why protecting this environment matters not just for sharks, but for ocean health worldwide.

Connect with us:

Website: https://bit.ly/37TMqeK
Instagram: https://bit.ly/3eorwXZ
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@beyondjawspodcast7591

Dave:
Website: https://www.lostsharkguy.com/
Instagram: https://bit.ly/3q1J9Q5

Andrew:
Website: https://www.speakupforblue.com/
Instagram: https://bit.ly/37g5WkG