Planet Shark: Q&A Forum with Shark Experts & Special Guests Sun 4 Aug 2019 2:00pm – 3:00pm WA Maritime Museum Ever wondered about the habits or abilities of our ocean's most popular predator? Join us for a question-and-answer event, where our experts will unravel some of the myths and mysteries surrounding sharks and their role within their natural habitat. Share your science questions and help us open up fresh insights into the wonderful world of sharks. Date: Sunday 4 August Time: 2pm - 3pm Cost: Free Bookings: Secure your place by using the below link. Limited spaces will be available on the day. Book your Free Ticket This is a free event but entry fees apply if you wish to look around the WA Maritime Musuem or Planet Shark: Predator or Prey. You can purchase these tickets on the day. Want to dive further into the incredible world of sharks? Register for one (or all) of our free specialist shark lectures! Meet the Panel Dr Glenn Moore - Curator of Fishes, WA Museum Glenn completed his undergraduate degree in Zoology at the University of Western Australia, and went on to complete a Masters in Science focusing on reproduction and evolution in seahorses. After a few years working as an environmental consultant, and in community education at AQWA, Glenn landed a temporary role as Technical Officer in Fishes at the WA Museum in 2002…and loved it! Subsequently Glenn completed a PhD in the evolutionary history in Australian Salmon at Murdoch University, and a few years later Glenn’s early ambition of being the Curator of Fishes at WA Museum was fulfilled. Research projects such as the Museum's Kimberley Woodside Collection Project have allowed for Glenn to spend many hours underwater collecting, identifying and counting fish in some of the most remote waters in the world. Jock Clough - Chairman, The University of Western Australia’s Oceans Community Jock Clough has a professional background and involvement in the engineering, finance and primary production industries. His qualifications include a degree in engineering in 1976 and a master of science in 2013, both from the University of Western Australia. After practicing as an engineer in different locations in Australia, the UK and southern Africa he entered the financial industry in 1982, rising through various roles to becoming Executive Chairman with Hartley Poynton (now Hartley’s Ltd) in 1996. Jock left the finance industry in 2001 to become an executive director of Clough Ltd, engineers and constructors, later to become Chairman of Clough Ltd between 2003 and 2007. Later he went on to become Chairman and major shareholder of Southseas Abalone Ltd, and assisted in its growth to be Australia’s largest abalone aquaculture business, retiring in 2016. Jock’s passion for marine conservation and science is continued through his roles as Chairman of the University of Western Australia’s Oceans Community and on the Australian Advisory Board of The Nature Conservancy and on the Advisory Committee of the Western Australian Maritime Museum. Jeff Hansen - Managing Director, Sea Shepherd Australia Jeff Hansen is the Managing Director for Sea Shepherd Australia and a Director for Sea Shepherd Global. Jeff joined Sea Shepherd in 2006 to pursue his passion for marine conservation and protecting the natural world. Serving as a crew-member on two Antarctic whale defence campaigns, Jeff was instrumental in locating the illegal whaling fleet on both occasions. Jeff continues to play a pivotal role in driving Sea Shepherd both nationally and globally in tackling the three key threats to our oceans: illegal fishing, plastic pollution and climate change. Jeff’s work is informed by his strong conviction that no matter the opposition, when ordinary people come together, extraordinary things can happen, and if there is one thing worth fighting for on this planet, it's life. Charlotte Birkmanis - Marine Biologist, PhD Candidate, The University of Western Australia Charlotte is an Australian marine biologist who is actively engaged in researching and communicating conservation of predators and ecosystems. Charlotte has a BAppSc majoring in Ecology (awarded with Distinction) and a BA in International and Global Studies, majoring in Mandarin Chinese and a BSc(Honours first class) in shark and ray vertebral biomechanics. Charlotte is currently completing her PhD research focused on where sharks are, why they are there and whether we are protecting them. To do this she uses using statistical models to determine where sharks were in the past, where they are now and where they are likely to be in the future with climate change. Having been involved in shark research for over 10 years, Charlotte is experienced in working with sharks, as well as analysing the data to see where they are going and why, what they are eating, how many there are and how they behave. Alongside this, she has a research interest in the ecological impacts of predator removal, and how the media portrays sharks and other predators. Always looking for answers, she has travelled extensively (40+ countries and counting) and lived on three continents. Having lived, studied and taught in China, Charlotte speaks Mandarin Chinese. As an avid science communicator, Charlotte use these skills to regularly give talks both in person and online to interested groups. Meet your Panel Host Dr Simon Carroll - Head of Science, WA Museum Simon’s early science interests led him to microbiology and later parasite immunology, later enabling him to specialize in emerging molecular technologies to Australia at the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute for Medical Research in Melbourne. Taking a keen interest and role in Australia’s developing biotechnology industry, Simon was involved in commercialising technologies and starting companies when at CSIRO for a decade. He was also on the board of AusBiotech, Australia’s biotechnology industry organisation for 10 years. Simon returned to Perth in 2001 to take up a role as Director of the WA Biomedical Research Institute. A health issue stimulated a change in direction, so as a self-confessed science enthusiast, in 2010 Simon started a new career focus in science communications at Scitech, WA’s science discovery and education centre. There he managed various community science engagement activities around the State including National Science Week, and maintained a profile as a science commentator on ABC Radio. He has recently taken up the position as Head of Science at the WA Museum. Credit: WA Museum