Diving into the Depths: Dr Austin Gallagher Unveils the Secrets of Shark Week's Monster Mako

Summary

The fabricated whale carcass utilized in Belly of the Beast was specifically engineered to investigate the feeding patterns of great whites, and researcher Dr. Austin Gallagher personally encountered these sharks during the scientific endeavors.

Gallagher's concept of using a fabricated whale carcass had been in development for a few years before it was put into action. The endeavor proved successful in attracting and studying great white sharks, and there is potential for further enhancements in the future.

Discovery's Shark Week is back with exciting new programs, such as Monster Mako: Fresh Blood and Belly of the Beast. Monster Mako: Fresh Blood delves into the intriguing interaction between massive mako sharks and great whites along the California coast. Meanwhile, Belly of the Beast showcases a groundbreaking artificial whale carcass created specifically for studying the feeding habits of great whites. Both shows highlight the extraordinary strength and determination of mako and white sharks, providing scientists with up-close encounters with these remarkable creatures.

Dr. Austin Gallagher, the CEO and founder of the non-profit organization Beneath the Waves, is prominently featured in both Monster Mako: Fresh Blood and Belly of the Beast. Known for his participation in various shark week programs such as Tiger Queen, Brad Paisley's Shark Country, and The Daily Bite, Gallagher holds extensive knowledge and experience in the field of marine science. In Belly of the Beast, he even found himself inside the man-made carcass, witnessing multiple intense feeding frenzies of great white sharks. Recently, Dr. Austin Gallagher engaged in an insightful conversation with Screen Rant, discussing his involvement in Belly of the Beast and Monster Mako: Fresh Blood, as well as his fascinating encounters with sharks and more.

Dr. Austin Gallagher on Belly of the Beast & Monster Mako: Fresh Blood

In the film "Belly of the Beast," the concept of using a fake whale carcass, known as EARL, as a platform to observe sharks is a brilliant and unique idea. Could you share the origin of this concept and how long it took to come to fruition?

Dr. Austin Gallagher: I had been contemplating this idea for approximately two to three years. I presented it to Shark Week and collaborated extensively with HAZMAT, a production company I frequently work with. However, the foundation for this concept stems from my scientific involvement spanning over a decade. Through our research, we have discovered the significance of whale carcasses in great white shark science and ecology. These carcasses attract the largest number of white sharks, making them crucial in terms of providing energy to these creatures.

We wanted to recreate the experience because it would provide us with extraordinary footage. Additionally, we wondered if this could attract some of the large great white sharks near us, since they have been driven away by the orcas in South Africa. This was our goal, and it took a few years to develop and plan, but we succeeded.

Would you consider using it again, and are there any modifications to the design that you were contemplating during the process?

Dr. Austin Gallagher: I would definitely do it again, and there's a possibility that we might because it was highly successful. Honestly, there's not much I would change. Perhaps I would make a few adjustments to the side flanks and provide more areas for the white sharks to bite onto. By examining the teeth left behind by a shark, we can determine its age and measure its bite force. The entire device, known as EARL, was equipped with GoPro cameras, so we obtained a substantial amount of impressive footage. We are planning to analyze some of this footage in comparison to real whale carcasses from a scientific perspective, which is quite exciting. Overall, it worked really well and was remarkably safe, which is a relief for me.

Speaking of that, there were multiple instances while watching Belly of the Beast where it seemed like the situation was on the verge of going wrong. For someone observing from the outside, it appeared to be quite risky. As someone who has spent extensive time with these animals, how anxious do you actually become at this stage?

Dr. Austin Gallagher expressed that his level of nervousness depended on the type of shark he encountered. He admitted to feeling very nervous when near great whites, but inside a protective cage, the experience was more thrilling than scary. Recalling a show he did off Guadalupe Island, he described the pristine blue water and the constant presence of huge white sharks, which he found enjoyable.

However, Dr. Gallagher highlighted the unpredictability of being in the sharks' natural habitat, such as in South Africa where the water is murky. In such environments, there was a heightened level of uncertainty since you couldn't clearly identify what you were seeing, and using bait that excited great whites added to the unknown factor. He emphasized that when a massive shark appeared, all previous expectations were thrown out the window. This powerful shark weighed thousands of pounds, measured close to 20 feet in length, and possessed numerous large teeth. Aware of its potential to cause serious harm, Dr. Gallagher admitted to feeling very nervous during this encounter. Fortunately, he had a competent team that provided support, and they ultimately remained safe.

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When it comes to assembling a team, how do you approach it? Are the individuals you work with on Monster Mako and Belly of the Beast people you already knew, or did you actively search for them?

Dr. Austin Gallagher: It's a combination of both. I thoroughly enjoy building teams; it's something I truly love. I am the founder and director of an ocean conservation organization called Beneath the Waves, and I have been fortunate enough to bring several members of my team to previous Shark Week shows and this year's as well. Liv Dixon, a research scientist at Beneath the Waves and a colleague of mine, participated in [Monster Mako], and I have also collaborated with Andre Musgrove on scientific projects in the Bahamas. We often have recurring team members, so to speak, but the crucial aspect is to bring together individuals with the right skills: those who are well-versed in underwater operations and have expertise in aquatic environments, those with exceptional scientific capabilities for tasks like shark tagging or device recovery, and occasionally, a skilled safety diver is essential. I take great pleasure in assembling these teams, even including medics when needed. Due to the continuous work we have done together over the years, I have formed strong bonds with everyone involved in these shows. It feels like a brotherhood or sisterhood of highly dedicated individuals who possess exceptional skills in their respective fields.

Dr. Austin Gallagher: Waiting is a significant part of shark research, as seen in the episode "Monster Mako." Andrea and Rosie find themselves in the shark dome, waiting for a long time without any sightings. This waiting game is quite common in our field of work. While there are instances where we stumble upon sharks immediately, most of the time it requires patience and time for the sharks to become comfortable and intrigued by our presence. It's important for people to understand that what they see on the 44-minute show during Shark Week is just a fraction of our actual time spent. Behind the scenes, we spend days waiting for those thrilling moments to occur.

How do you strike a balance between creating entertaining content for viewers who are unfamiliar with the subject matter, while also ensuring there is enough scientific substance to engage you and your team?

Dr. Austin Gallagher: It's all about finding that delicate balance. We understand that the network expects a good mix. Fortunately, with sharks, we don't have to manufacture any excitement because they naturally elicit fear and fascination. The inherent danger of what we do translates into the show without much effort. Of course, we enhance the experience with music during certain moments, but that's just a necessary step to make it appealing to the general public. However, my goal is always to incorporate as much scientific information as possible, presented in a concise manner. This not only helps the scientists participating in these shows to convey their messages, but also enables them to reach a wider audience. It's extremely enjoyable to find that perfect balance.

About Belly of the Beast and Monster Mako: Fresh Blood

Belly of the Beast: Researchers courageously venture into a feeding frenzy of great white sharks inside a life-size whale decoy, a remarkable moment during Shark Week. Their discoveries may hold the answer to uncovering the largest great white shark ever documented in South African history.

Monster Mako: Fresh Blood: In a thrilling encounter off the coast of California, monstrous mako sharks measuring twelve feet long contend fiercely with great white sharks for prey. Dr. Austin Gallagher and the renowned free diver Andre Musgrove employ a specially designed transparent diving bell to observe these predators up close, even witnessing makos leaping an astounding eight feet out of the ocean.

Check out our other Shark Week interviews here:

Tom Hird on Cocaine Sharks and Great White Fight Club

Forrest Galante on Alien Sharks: Strange New Worlds

Belly of the Beast premiered on July 23 and Monster Mako: Fresh Blood premieres July 27 at 9 pm for Discovery’s Shark Week.

Source: Screen Rant Plus