Meeting #21 Freediving Workshop & Life History of Deepwater Sharks

We were lucky to welcome champion and record-setting freediver Adam Stern to give us a freediving workshop as well has from hearing Cassandra Rigby about her work.

Some highlights from Dr. Cassandra Rigby’s talk included:

• Understanding that deepwater sharks are more vulnerable due to their slow life histories and low productivity.

• Learning that gulper sharks are one of the most threatened groups because of their high squalene (shark liver oil) content, yet remain unprotected under CITES.

• How non-lethal alternative aging methods such as Near Infrared Spectroscopy (NIRS) have supported her research on deepwater sharks in QLD.

Some highlights from Adam Stern’s workshop included:

• Learning that the “urge to breathe” is signalled from a buildup of carbon dioxide, and not a lack of oxygen in the body.

• Demonstrating and practising tidal breathing (breathing at rest) with us to prepare for a breath hold.

• Sharing how to breathe longer SAFELY by always having a buddy and not manipulating our natural breathing before a breath hold.