Chum’s interview with Bryce Groark

Chum on Bryce Groark

After working in the dive industry for years as a PADI MSDT and TDI Semi Circuit Rebreather Instructor, Bryce founded Living Ocean Productions in April 2004, with the goal of using powerful imagery to help minimize the gap between science and the general public. His award winning work has been featured in magazines and newspapers, numerous television networks as well as in over 30 International Film Festivals, Aquariums and Museums around the world. Some of his shark footage is currently on display at the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History as well as in multiple anti-shark finning television campaigns across Europe and China.

In 2007, his shark footage was part of a Congressional Lobby Video produced by WILDAID with a push to help implement shark legislation within the US. His work has brought him all over the world, to places including Egypt, Tahiti, Fiji, Australia, New Zealand, Raratonga, Japan, India, Myanmar, Thailand, Malaysia, Laos, Indonesia, Costa Rica, Mexico and the Bahamas.

www.livingoceanproductions.com

Are you the fool who took my fins?

A. Not a chance

Q. What do you want the people of Japan to know about sharks?

A. I think the most important thing people should know is that it's OK to protect something - even if you're afraid of it. Sharks are not the mindless killing machines that most people believe them to be. Not only are they an apex predator - they are also in grave danger. Science claims there may not be anymore fish in the ocean within the next 40 years. What most people don't understand is that many species of sharks could possibly be extinct within the next 10-20 years. With 90 % of the world's shark species in danger right now, humans can't afford to look the other way. Everyone knows you need an apex predator to keep the food chain healthy. Today, well over one billion people on the planet rely on the ocean for food. If that food source goes away, imagine what problems will exist.

There are also over 400 species of sharks in the world, with only a handful ever posing a threat to humans. However, sharks are always lumped in to one category. It's the same as lumping all the cats in the world into one category - even though the danger levels of a household cat are nothing like that of an African lion.

I don't think it's proactive to tell people what they can and can't or should or shouldn't eat. But, I do think it's important that people are educated and make the right decision before they consume certain products. Sharks need our help - and it's time the world started to care.

What's you favorite soup...and don't say "shark fin soup"!?

A. My favorite soup is French Onion.

Q. Did you know Sharky's Machine is actually a movie about Burt Reynolds and not about sharks?

A. Never heard of it?

Do you know how to say shark in another language?

A. "Mano" - in Hawaiian

Q. I ate Samuel L Jackson in the movie Deep Blue Sea...was that uncool?

A. Never saw it.

Why do you want to help me?

A. I love all the creatures in the sea (and on land), but sharks have always made me feel differently when I swim with them. I love their stealthiness, their power and their graceful movements. I fell in love with swimming with sharks many years ago and now want to spread the word to help change the image that sharks have virtually everywhere in the world. Most people seem to fear the unknown. When they have their first opportunity to swim up close with a shark, most minds seem to change.

What's your favorite Japanese food/movie/music/etc?

A. My favorite Japanese food is Sunomono

Is there any connection between samurai swords and the loss of my fins?

A. Don't think so.

Q. If you were a shark, what shark would you want to be? Answer carefully....there are around 400 different kinds of us.

A. Easy answer for me: Longimanus - the Oceanic Whitetip

Do you have any solutions on how to save me?

A. Communication and Awareness. I believe if the world truly knew what was happening to sharks all over the planet, the senseless killing would stop. Scientists and Governments are not going to be the ones to save the sharks! It must come from the people.

Chum’s Bucket of Shark Trivia with Bryce Groark

Q. Sharks have upper and lower eyelids but they do not blink.

A. Nictitating Membranes....do they classify as eyelids?

The most harmless sharks tend to be the largest.

A. False

Q. Sharks can travel up to 20 miles per hour.

A. Faster I believe

There are 370 or 570 species of sharks?

A. No definite number to this - but probably closer to the 370 plus number

Q. The hides of mature female blue sharks are more than twice as thick as those of males.

A. Not sure on this - never swam with a Blue - but most females get bit down and roughed up during mating so True seems most reasonable (without me Googling the answer).

Bryce Groark got four outta five correct playing Chum’s “Bucket of Shark Trivia”. Which certifies Bryce as an offical PangeaSeed Finegade.

Sharing a love for the Hawaiian Islands, PangeaSeed and Chum would like to migrate north to tropical paradise and say hello to our new buddy, Bryce. Chum says “It’s people like Bryce that are gonna make a big difference and help to save us.”

We can’t thank Bryce enough for his contribution to No Fin No Future. We are sure to grab some attention and raise awareness having Bryce and his incredible photography and ocean expertise on our team.

PangeaSeed will feature three Bryce Groark original photographs on display and available for purchase at PangeaSeed: No Fin No Future Thursday July 30 at SuperDeluxe. Proceeds go to save our friends, the sharks.

For more event information see the English page on our website.

Thursday, July 9, 2009

PangeaSeed would like to introduce you to our MC of interviews. Please say “konichiwa” to Chum. He’s a disgruntled Mako in search of the culprit who took his fins.

Chum is one of the lucky ones who has managed to survived but he needs your help to ensure this won’t happen to him again or his buddies. You can help by pledging not to buy or consume shark products. And don’t support businesses that sell these products. Also you can help by spreading the word to your friends and family.

Send Chum a message, pic/vid, question or just shoot the shizzle at chumsbucket33@yahoo.com

Thanks to Jason Maloney for such a great design. www.jasonmaloneyart.com

All Images Copyright Living Ocean Productions 09

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