The program, “Sharks: The Demon Fish?” examines how URI faculty and alumni are conducting wide-ranging research to develop a better understanding of sharks, one based on science rather than fiction. It explores a variety of human experiences with these misunderstood creatures, from curious tourists visiting the Florida Aquarium to dedicated shark scientists working in the waters off Cape Cod. Viewers will encounter a number of shark species, from the diminutive bamboo shark to the notorious great white.
Featured experts in the 30-minute documentary are Cheryl Wilga and Bradley Wetherbee from the URI Department of Biological Sciences, as well as URI alumni Greg Skomal of the Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries, George Burgess of the Florida Museum of Natural History, and Nancy Kohler and Lisa Natanson of the National Marine Fisheries Service.
The documentary is part of a quarterly television series called URI Today that explores the work being done by the faculty and alumni of the University of Rhode Island and how it contributes to a better understanding of the world around us. Previous programs have examined such topics as premature babies, Dengue fever and climate change.
After the shark program’s initial broadcast on Aug. 28, it will also air Aug. 30 at 1 a.m. on RI PBS, and on August 31 at 9:30 p.m., Sept. 1 at 4:30 a.m. and Sept. 2 at 1:30 a.m. on the RI PBS Learn channel. It will repeat again on both channels in November.
The series is co-produced by the New Media unit of URI’s Department of Marketing and Communications and Rosewood Productions.