Interview with a shark scientist

Rachel Robbins, Shark Researcher
Until recently, Rachel was employed at the Fox Shark Research Foundation

1. How long have you worked at your current place of employment?
I worked at the FSRF for 3 years.

2. Have you always been a shark biologist?
Mostly. I worked as a shark biologist throughout the 3 years it took to complete my PhD.

3. How did you become a shark biologist?
I completed a degree in Marine biology in Belfast before coming out to Australia to research white sharks for my PhD research, which I have just completed.

4. Why did you become a shark biologist?
I always wanted to work with sharks in one way or another, I was always fascinated by their behaviours both in the wild and in captivity and wanted to help change public attitudes in order to conserve and protect the dwindling populations around the world.

Great white shark eating a whale.
Image © Ken Hoppen Photography

8. What's the biggest shark you have ever seen?
A couple of years ago, I had a 5.5m female white shark check me out whilst I was diving in a shark cage, she was absolutely huge and dwarfed even the 4m sharks which had been around before she turned up – they quickly moved out of her way!

9. Have you ever been diving in a shark cage?
Yes, often. In the 3 years it took me to complete my PhD, I dived many many times in the cages with white sharks.

10a. What's the best part about your job?
The fact that I get the feeling that I am making a difference, that the research I am undertaking is completely novel and can be used to help further protect the white shark.