Should I swim with sharks? With Nicki Meharg and Rich Rees (Celtic Deep)

This episode we get our teeth sunk into the dos and donts of shark tourism. Is it okay to get in the water with sharks? What could the impacts be on the animal? And what should we look for in a tourism operator? We discuss the upsides and downsides of the tourism industry and the importance of being a responsible, conscious tourist - both at sea, and on social media. Digressions include glow-in-the-dark orca, British weather and what it's like to encounter a curious blue shark in the wild...

Our jawsome guests this week are Nicki Meharg (@morlo_wildlife) and Rich Rees (@richardmrees), two incredibly experienced divers and marine conservationists who are hugely passionate about protecting and raising awareness of marine life. Together they founded Celtic Deep (www.celticdeep.org), a UK based organisation that specialise in taking people on amazing experiences off the Pembrokeshire coast, including underwater encounters with blue sharks. They have a strong focus on responsible tourism, and follow strict codes of conduct to ensure the well-being and protection of these animals. They offer their insights as both conservationists and tour operators, and give us an open and honest account of the nuances of wildlife tourism. 

This podcast is brought to you by the Save Our Seas Foundation (SOSF) - you can find out more about our work here: www.saveourseas.com