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Something happens to you the first time you dive with sharks…
We have a perennial fascination with sharks. Portrayed in the media and popular culture as killing machines, we are awed by their power and strength. But the shark is so much more – a marvel of the sea, they have evolved over 450 million years into over 500 species, from the bioluminescent kitefin to the tiny dwarf lantern shark, the sociable lemon shark to the blue shark, which can birth up to 100 pups in one litter. Bringing balance to the ocean's ecosystem, our planet is at serious risk when these amazing creatures are threatened.
Paul de Gelder, who lost two limbs in a shark attack during a mission as an elite Australian navy clearance diver, spent time as part of his recovery learning all about sharks. He became so obsessed that, despite what happened to him, he is now an expert and has dedicated his life to helping save them. Shark is his love-letter to these unfairly vilified animals, and his warning to the world about what will happen if we don't look out for them.
From elite soldier to shark attack survivor, Paul de Gelder is now a host for the Discovery Channel's Shark Week. He was also a key personality in Netflix's Seaspiracy and hosts the podcast The Dirt Down Under. He travels the world as a shark advocate, passionate environmentalist and motivational speaker, giving talks to the likes of the UN, the US Navy and large corporations and charities. Originally from Australia, he now lives in LA with his rescue dog Odus.
"De Gelder's uncommon perspective distinguishes the book, and it amplifies his call to protect sharks: if he sounds the alarm, the rest of us should at least take notice."
– New Scientist
"An ode to the species [...] De Gelder's passion is all the more impressive when you learn about his own first near-fatal encounter."
– Guardian
