FIU's Mike Heithaus investigates what happens when sharks, crocs and gators clash. (Credit: National Geographic)

FIU scientists star in 4 new SharkFest shows on National Geographic

June 30, 2021 at 1:30pm

National Geographic’s SharkFest 2021 debuts Monday, July 5, with four shows featuring FIU experts. They will explore the social lives of sharks, investigate a shark attack and look at what happens when crocodiles and sharks face off.

Researchers appearing in shows this year are dean Mike Heithaus, marine biologist and assistant professor Yannis Papastamatiou, as well as Predator Ecology and Conservation Lab Ph.D. candidates Laura Garcia Barcia and Sarah Luongo

FIU x SharkFest

There was a special Facebook Live event to talk about the science behind the shows. Mireya Mayor, the FIU director of the Exploration and Science Communications Initiative in the College of Arts, Sciences & Education moderated the discussion.

A state of the art camera tag is fitted to a bull shark as biologists investigate reports of sharks and gators clashing in the Everglades. (Credit: National Geographic)

SharkFest shows featuring the FIU shark team are:

SHARK GANGS

10 p.m., Wednesday, July 7, on National Geographic
8 p.m., Thursday, August 12, on Nat Geo WILD
Beginning Friday, July 9, streaming on Disney+

For years sharks have been viewed as solitary predators, but scientists have recently discovered a surprising new behavior — they like to hang out in groups. Experts including Papastamatiou will offer insight into this behavior and the secret social lives of sharks.

CROC THAT ATE JAWS

10 p.m., Thursday, July 8, on National Geographic
10 p.m., Wednesday, August 4, on Nat Geo WILD
Beginning Friday, July 9, streaming on Disney+

From mysterious severed heads and ambush attacks to mob hunts and stand-offs — Heithaus and the team will look at what happens when two of the deadliest predators on the planet go head-to-head.

WORLD’S MOST DANGEROUS SHARK?

10 p.m., Friday, July 9, on National Geographic
10 p.m., Thursday, Aug. 5, on Nat Geo WILD
Beginning Friday, July 16, streaming on Disney+

The great white has a reputation for being the scariest in the sea, but Explorer Jacques Cousteau called the oceanic whitetip “the most dangerous of all sharks.” Two teams of experts, including Papastamatiou and Luongo, dive deep into the world of the oceanic whitetip to reveal what makes this species a top contender for the title of “world’s most dangerous shark.”

SHARK ATTACK INVESTIGATION: THE PAIGE WINTER STORY

10 p.m., Monday, July 12, on National Geographic
10 p.m., Friday, Aug. 6, on Nat Geo WILD
Beginning Friday, July 16, streaming on Disney+

Paige Winter was 17 years old when she lost a leg and portion of her hand to a shark. Heithaus and Garcia Barcia will review details of Paige’s attack to determine what kind of shark is responsible and what can be done, if anything, to avoid this happening again.