Shark Week: Meet Tom “The Blowfish” Hird

Q&A with Tom "The Blowfish" Hird

Photo Credit: Nick Davies

Bio: Tom “The Blowfish” Hird is the world’s only heavy metal marine biologist. Host of All The Sharks on Netflix and Ocean Wonders on Amazon Prime, a regular across Discovery Shark Week,  and well known across many British broadcasting companies, Fish (as he is known) is a marine mad metal head who loves the oceans! Particularly sharks. A diver for nearly 30 years, Fish has visited nearly every ocean on the planet and dived in all the conditions you could think of. Whether it is surrounded by sharks in the tropics, or cracking the ice in the artic circle to hunt for crab, Fish has been there, done it, and got the dry suit to prove it. A passionate supporter of all things sharky, The Blowfish is an ambassador for The Shark Trust UK and The Marine Conservation society.

1. What is your favorite species of shark and why?

Tasseled Wobbegong! It’s just a heavy metal shark with a hardcore beard. Like me!!

Plus, they have an incredible method of hunting that most people would never assume a shark possess. They use their tail to mimic the movements of a small fish, and in doing so, attracts other small fish toward it. Once they are close enough, it can strike so fast, that blink and you’ll miss it.

2. What is one shark you would love to dive with (top of your Bucket List)? 

I still haven’t been in the water with a Whale shark, so that is definitely at the top of the list. But I’d also love to dive below the ice with a Greenland shark, as that would combine two of my fav things: cold water diving and big old sharks!

Photo Credit: Matt Green

3. How did you get interested in sharks?

I was actually terrified of sharks due to a neighbor playing a cruel trick on me as a very young kid, that resulted in me watching JAWS. Needless to say, it scared the pants of me, and I can still get the fear today! But that fear turned into fascination, and before I knew it I was obsessed with everything shark and ray related and it just never stopped from there.

4. How did you get started hosting TV shows?

I started a while ago, and a lot has changed since I began. But originally, I started by doing science festivals and school shows, before building up experience as an animal expert appearing on smaller shows for little segments. From there, I just kept working hard in science communication in all its forms, and continued to build my on screen time and reputation. I landed my first leading role on a show about gadgets, computer games and science! But got properly started as a presenter on BBC Worldwide’s Fishing Impossible. And from there, I haven’t looked back.

Photo Credit: Nick Davies

5. Do you have a favorite TV show moment? 

I do not watch a lot of TV to be honest (aside from All The Sharks of course!!) but I do like British comedies, and I’m a big Red Dwarf fan.

6. What is the coolest moment you have had with a shark?

I have been lucky enough to have many, but one that still stands out is the first time I got really close to a Great Hammerhead. A stunning creature we encountered off Key West. 

She came in out of nowhere, and rather than being the standard skittish hammer, she made only one pass before coming right in. She made this pass in front of me where she was so close, I had to tuck my hands in as I felt myself wanting to reach out for her. What a stunner. Big, beautiful and totally in charge.

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

Sharks get scared. We are told by films and newspapers, that they are mindless killing machines, ready to attack anything they see. But it is just not true. What better way to counter that myth, then to teach people that sharks get scared, because we all know what being afraid is like. It makes us vulnerable, and we should know that sharks are vulnerable too.

Website: www.theblowfish.co.uk

Instagram: @BigPoppaBlowfish