‘Sharks are very predictable’

NEW DELHI: They call her the Shark Girl. An activist who has worked tirelessly for the species from her early teens, Madison Stewart has prevented a fresh food store in Australia from selling shark meat. Her rousing story is also the subject of the TV documentary titled, Shark Girl. In an email interview to The Times of India, the 20-year-old speaks of her passion and more
What inspired you to work towards saving the sharks at such a young age?
It all started when I noticed a decline in the sharks I grew up with, and I was thrown into a state of shock.I was 14 at the time. For me it was always just about enjoying the oceans. That changed very quickly when I witnessed their decline. I knew I couldn't just walk away and let things happen to sharks in my lifetime.
Sharks are potentially dangerous creatures. What gives you the courage to continue to swim with them? What precautions do you take?
The precautions I take involve making sure my dive gear is working and up to service, that’s all I can do. When it comes to sharks, knowledge is the best defence. They are very predictable animals. I know the traits of all the species and how they will show when they are grumpy or territorial. It's nothing about courage. I'm not scared of sharks. None have ever shown me threatening or aggressive behaviour. It’s like walking past a dog in the street, dangerous but also a normal, controllable and possible interaction.
What has been your most exciting dive?
I've logged more than 600 dives now. The most exciting have been with sharks and the few I did in caves. Tiger shark dives that last up to two hours are my favourite.
Besides saving the sharks what are your other interests?
Animal rights, comic books, coffee and camping.
Sharks are of various breeds. What is your favourite breed and why?
Tiger sharks, because they look you up and down and you can tell they are thinking. Their personalities are so immense, they are beautiful.
You stated in an interview that you never set out to be a conservationist, and you don’t like the term. Why is that?
Because it implies I want to or chose to do what I do and it implies that a conservationist is someone in particular, which is not a message I want to get across! I want a person to know and believe that what I do is possible for anyone and that I am an ordinary person fighting for what I love and everyone has the potential to do so. There should be no label for standing up against injustice; it is the necessity of everyone in our world today.
As a voice for the sharks what is a message you would like to give to the world?
Sharks are not distant from us, they are for sale in our supermarkets, they are in our medicine, in China town, in our lipstick, and it is only you who will be able to help them by giving them a voice and not supporting the trade of this animal. Speak up and don't let the government or corporations get away.
What can we expect from shark girl in the future?
I never tell people I want to change the world. I tell them I will. I want people to join my fight, and I want to make the voice for all the ignored atrocities in our oceans, and inspire you to fight with me for sharks.