Scripps Scientist Brendan Talwar Wins Netflix Contest, Pitches Conservation

India-West News Desk

SAN DIEGO, CA – When Netflix’s new six-episode series, ‘All the Sharks’, premiered on July 4, viewers were taken on a global expedition to some of the world’s most shark-rich waters. Among the four competing teams of ocean experts was a viewer favorite: Scripps Institution of Oceanography postdoctoral scholar Brendan Talwar.

Teaming up with marine biologist Chris Malinowski to form “Team Shark Docs,” Talwar embarked on a two-month journey to the Maldives, the Galápagos Islands, The Bahamas, South Africa, Japan, and Australia’s Great Barrier Reef. Their mission? To photograph as many different species of sharks and rays as possible. With rarer species earning more points, the competition was fierce.

The pair’s tireless efforts paid off. They collected images of over 50 shark and ray species, ultimately winning the $50,000 grand prize. They split the winnings between their chosen nonprofit organizations, the Reef Environmental Education Foundation and the Ocean First Institute.

According to a UC San Diego Today report, Talwar saw the show as a unique opportunity to bridge the gap between science, fieldwork, and public education. He emphasized that “every encounter with a shark or ray was a win for the audience,” highlighting the series’ role in raising awareness.

Talwar’s journey to the world of shark conservation began with his graduate studies. He earned a master’s degree from Florida State University, where his thesis focused on the post-release mortality of deep-sea bycatch species, specifically the Cuban dogfish and giant isopod.

During this time, he also assisted with fishery independent surveys in the northern Gulf of Mexico and Florida Keys and served as a teaching assistant for undergraduate and field courses. He then went on to earn a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Biology/Biological Sciences from Florida International University.

Beyond the competition, Talwar and Malinowski are using their newfound platform to advocate for shark and ray conservation. They chose REEF as one of their charities because its mission of using citizen science to monitor marine life aligned perfectly with their own values.

Talwar’s passion for marine life is ongoing. He will continue his research at Scripps until September 2026, focusing on shark and ray populations in the Caribbean. His work there aims to evaluate the effectiveness of conservation efforts.