Shark Month: Meet the Heavy Metal Marine Biologist

Tom "Blowfish" Hird is a Marine Biologist, Scuba Diver, Author, Wildlife Expert, Voice-over Artist, and Science Communicator. You may have seen him on Shark Week, and you will see him hosting on the upcoming All the Sharks on Netflix.

You can learn more about his work HERE or follow him on Instagram

1. What is your favorite shark and why?

Always a tricky question, but it would have to be the tasseled wobbegong. It just looks so cool, with its big fleshy beard, and it has an incredible predation method. I think if I were a shark, I'd be one of these guys.

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2. What is the most incredible shark moment you've had?

I'm lucky enough for this to be a tricky question to answer, because I've had a good few. I've had a massive Great Hammerhead come right up next to me while filming, and Caribbean reef sharks have surrounded me, which was also amazing.

But I suppose my best would be out on the Lazarus banks, where this big female tiger just came right up to me, checking me out, seeing what's what. Out there, in the big open ocean, with the reef scudding away under me in the current. Wow. Just magic. 

3. What sparked your interest in working with wildlife, especially sharks?

I think it was always destined to be? My dad is a veterinarian, and alongside my mum, who has worked as an animal handler, veterinary nurse, and animal technician, creatures have always been a part of my life. However, my obsession with sharks began when I was tricked into watching Jaws at the age of 7. It scared me so badly that I was extremely terrified of the water! I wouldn't even go in a swimming pool on my own. But, for some reason, I also couldn't stop reading about sharks, watching shark-based documentaries, and learning about the sea. I suppose I was trying to make sense out of the fear I had, but anyway, I became utterly obsessed with the ocean and anything wet. And it was just so obvious to go on to become a marine biologist.

4. You've hosted numerous shows about sharks. How did you get started on this path?

Well, when I was at Uni, I just knew I had to do something to save the Oceans. Something! Anything!! So, my original plan was the academic route; I intended to earn a PhD and write papers that would help save sharks. However, in 2005, I participated in a shark expedition to the Adriatic, where we spent two weeks constantly chumming. We got zero sharks. 

I realised I need to do something more immediate. I am not the sharpest knife in the draw, even if I do use big words, but I do have a large mouth and loud voice. So I decided to put my volume to work and reach out to the general public. It's called science communication now, but back in the day, you were just an animal nerd! Anyway, I saw TV as a good platform to convey stories, so I pushed towards being noticed as The Blowfish, the world's only heavy metal marine biologist! After more than a few bad showreels and a near constant bothering of the various channels. I managed to secure an 8-minute slot on children's TV in the UK, and it all just took off from there. 

Tom with marine biologist Leigh de Necker Credit: Shark Week

5. What is one thing you wish everyone knew about sharks?

They don't eat humans!!!!!!! Yes, I'm aware there are some awful moments where humans and sharks collide, and sadly, people can get hurt. But these are as rare as hens' teeth! You have way more of a chance of being bitten by a human in the supermarket than getting hit by a shark.