Mark Porter
About Mark
Mark grew up on the North Sea in Scotland and like many small boys decided at the age of eight he wanted a career involving the sea.
Mark grew up on the North Sea in Scotland and like many small boys decided at the age of eight he wanted a career involving the sea. Having completed a degree in marine biology then a PhD in fish hormones, reproduction and photoreception he then spent the next twenty years working around the world studying, teaching and finally running a business within the aquaculture industry.
Having dived in temperate and tropical waters his whole life often in pursuit of a key passion of observing sharks he has been lucky enough to safely interact with bronze whalers, blue sharks, grey, black tip and white tip reef species, hammerheads, bull and tiger sharks and white pointers. His passion continues and is now enhanced by showing his two young children the incredible life beneath our planets waves.
Mark’s Testimonial
“My professional studies have involved many fish species throughout my career but sharks have always been my amateur passion.‘Shark Eyes’, which at present, is acknowledged to be an untested concept draws on the widely used mimicry theme employed by many of natures prey. Make yourself look bigger or more frightening by having two big (false) eyes staring back at potential predators. While this will probably not deter a full force attack it may deter the inquisitive bite or mouthing of often used by shark species to test out potential prey/food. After thousands of hours under the water I've been very lucky never to have an aggressive shark encounter however I have also always employed common sense and simple rules. Don't approach sharks or leave the water if they are exhibiting agitated behaviour and don't put yourself in compromised situations such as diving in known bull shark inhabited areas in poor visibility or low light conditions. At the end of the day ‘Shark Eyes’ is another tool in an arsenal of strategies for safer enjoyment of the water. It is simple and inexpensive and if it offers even a 1% better chance of avoiding a negative encounter why wouldn't you use it? I am, at the end of the day, an amateur shark enthusiast and keen diver however if so many professionals, who work in waters known to be inhabited by dangerous sharks every day, are willing to endorse this product I'm going to use it I'm use it on my own and my family's water sports gear and continue to use common sense!”