AN upcoming talk will reveal a fascinating insight into the sharks that roam our waters – including ‘fish-eye’ footage that reveals exactly what they get up to.

Greenpeace and Planet Purbeck have teamed up to provide the talk, which will be the centrepiece of a wide-ranging marine evening at Emmanuel Baptist Church in Swanage on September 19, starting at 7pm.

The ‘protecting our oceans’ evening will see Exeter University researcher Owen Exeter show a film and talk about his work in monitoring sharks, other fish and crustaceans using state-of-the-art tracking and camera technologies.

It will include dramatic shots of some of the 30-plus species of shark seen in UK seas, which include porbeagle, blue, and thresher varieties, plus remarkable ‘fish-eye’ footage from cameras attached to basking sharks.

Mr Exeter, 35, whose research contributes to the conservation of Britain’s Marine Protected Areas, said people should not be scared of sharks but rather regard them as a vital component of the aquatic food chain and biodiversity.

“I don’t think many people realise how many species we have here and how they are an integral part of British marine life,” he said.

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Owen Exeter

“I hope I can surprise those who come to the evening, not just about sharks but also about how vibrant our seas are.

“It’s also a nice opportunity to show what Marine Protected Areas look like and how they are monitored to make sure they are effective and hopefully being improved.”

Other presenters at the event will include Nick Measham, head of Wildfish, which battles to reverse the decline of fish populations and their habitats; Greenpeace speaker Doug Skinner and Planet Purbeck co-leaders Rob Waitt and Luke M Luke.

A blue shark being filmed by Owen Exeter

Mr Skinner said most people are now aware of threats posed to nature and our climate, but he is determined to take a positive approach.

He said: “I’ll be highlighting what Greenpeace and others have done and are still doing, at the highest level, to protect the marine environment.”

Mr Skinner, the event’s organiser, said he was excited by the “great line-up of guests”.

And after attracting an audience of more than 200 at a similar evening last year, he is aiming for a 300-strong sell-out this time.

Bookings can be made via the events section of www.planetpurbeck.org.