Jason Momoa Hosts Discovery’s ‘Shark Week,’ That includes Feeding Frenzies and Junkie Sharks

NEW YORK (AP) — Discovery Channel has landed the right host this yr for “Shark Week,” none aside from an enormous fan of all ocean creatures — Aquaman.

Jason Momoa, who in actual life dreamed of a profession as a marine biologist earlier than Hollywood anointed him an ocean god, goes again to his roots to have a good time all issues shark.

“My coronary heart is within the ocean,” Momoa instructed The Related Press from Tahiti, moments earlier than taking a visit to swim with a few of the apex predators. “Doing ‘Shark Week’ is a no brainer.”

Momoa would be the week’s recurring grasp of ceremonies, dipping out and in of the channel’s roughly 20 new hours of packages that begin Sunday. Episode encores run most nights, too.

Viewers will get to see uncommon sharks off the coast of South Africa, study lethal shark assaults off the luxury seashores of Egypt’s Purple Sea and examine whether or not sharks in Florida waters are getting excessive on cocaine.

The week kicks off with a type of nautical nod to “Jackass.” Researchers within the present “Stomach of the Beast: Feeding Frenzy” attempt to reproduce an amazing white shark feeding frenzy by constructing a life-sized useless whale carcass decoy.

They put veteran “Shark Week” biologist Dr. Austin Gallagher and cameras contained in the cavity — together with 200 kilos of chum and 50 gallons of blood — and hope it will probably make dozens of sharks go mad. Then they struggle it at evening.

“There are just a few moments throughout the present the place I used to be fairly freaked out,” Gallagher instructed the AP. “There’s a wholesome respect there and I don’t need that ever to go away as a result of I do know what these animals are able to.”

“Cocaine Sharks,” which premieres Wednesday, examines whether or not the occasional bricks of cocaine deserted by drug smugglers impact shark conduct. ”I am principally on the lookout for one thing actually bizarre and out of the atypical,” says the lead scientist, Tom Hird, in this system.

It reveals a swarm of lemon sharks going a bit insane over floating bales of fake cocaine and later we see how fish powder mimics the dopamine response that cocaine may give to junkie sharks. “Hopefully individuals benefit from the present as a lot as they benefit from the title,” Hird stated.

Geeking out with viewers will probably be Momoa, who watched “Shark Week” rising up and says he could not wait to satisfy the scientists behind the packages. “I’m going to be each different fan,” he stated in an interview earlier than the Hollywood strike. “That is my life’s ardour.”

As all the time, there’s a deep respect for the creatures and robust science beneath the amusing titles, dramatic music and eye-popping titles like “Nice White Struggle Membership,” “Shark Vs. Snake” and “Serial Killer: Purple Sea Assaults.”

“Alien Sharks” tries to seek out obscure species just like the broadnose sevengill, which dates to the Jurassic Period, however is these days prized for his or her livers by orcas. There’s additionally the deliciously named puffadder shyshark, which glow below UV mild, and the white-spotted wedgefish, named appropriately for its shovel like look.

“For me, what’s so fantastic about alien sharks and this program is the chance to showcase the little man,” stated biologist Forrest Galante, who may be seen smooching just a few of his sharks. “I get so excited and emotional once I’m working with these distinctive creatures that I do impulsively silly issues like kiss a shark earlier than I say goodbye to it.”

Lots of the packages examine modifications within the beasts’ conduct that will need to do with local weather change or overfishing, reminiscent of sharks showing in unfamiliar areas. Conservation efforts have additionally began to spice up their numbers, bringing them nearer to people.

“Sharks aren’t altering their conduct to focus on individuals or to be in shut proximity to human beings. People are altering their conduct, rising at an alarming price, spending an increasing number of time within the water, having a warmer and warmer local weather,” stated Galante. “That results in extra interactions. And a few of these interactions could also be damaging, however in fact, the press blows that manner out of proportion.”

Momoa, who studied marine and wildlife biology in school, taped his segments in New Zealand whereas in manufacturing on his upcoming Apple TV+ collection “Chief of Struggle.”

“Shark Week” was born as a counterpoint for many who developed a concern of sharks and a want to eradicate them after seeing “Jaws.” It has emerged as a vacation spot for scientists keen to guard an animal older than bushes.

“’Jaws’ actually tousled lots of people. They don’t get within the water for certain. But it surely’s simply not the case,” stated Momoa, who urged individuals to view sharks like they do in Tahiti.

“We name them the guardians. They’re simply not appeared upon as these items which can be imply and scary that come to assault us. We dwell in concord with them.”

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