Sharklines; The Beat

Rory Forsyth
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  • Documentary
  • Updated Biweekly

Sharklines: The Beat is an investigative report on fishing, the fish we eat and the hidden economics of the ocean. I’m Rory Forsyth, and together we’re diving into the hidden world behind the fish on your plate. From sharks and tuna to fishing fleets, bycatch and billion-pound industries, we’ll follow the journey from ocean to supermarket shelf to uncover what really happens in the supply chain. How does a fish caught in deep water end up fresh in your fridge days later? Who decides what lives, what dies, and what gets sold? Through science, experts and firsthand voices, we will find out.

Episodes

  1. May 29

    Salmon: The Fish Britain Cannot Quit

    In this episode of Sharklines, we dive into Britain’s complicated obsession with salmon. From the rivers of the Tay and Tweed to the vast industrial sea pens of Scotland’s west coast, this is the story of a fish caught between wilderness and modern consumption. We explore the collapse of wild Atlantic salmon, the explosive rise of salmon farming, and the fierce debate over sea lice, pollution, escapes and conservation. Why did salmon become Britain’s default fish? Can farming and wild ecosystems coexist? And what happens if the salmon disappears entirely? A look at one of the nation’s most iconic and contested species. Atlantic Salmon Trust - https://atlanticsalmontrust.org/ Marine Conservation Society - https://www.mcsuk.org/ The Guardian - choosing better salmon; https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2024/oct/12/from-the-sea-to-your-plate-how-to-choose-more-sustainable-salmon?utm_source=chatgpt.com

    20 min

  2. May 19

    Hook, Line & Sinker: A Look At Britain’s Fishing Industry

    Britain is surrounded by some of the richest fishing grounds in Europe, yet the seafood on our plates often comes from thousands of miles away. Cod from the Arctic, tuna from the Pacific, prawns from Southeast Asia, while British-caught herring, shellfish and salmon are shipped abroad to international markets willing to pay more. The result is a fishing industry built on contradiction: a nation that catches one thing, eats another, and argues constantly over who controls the sea in between. This episode looks at the modern UK fishing industry and what ends up in supermarkets and fish and chip shops. Along the way, it asks difficult questions about sustainability, overfishing, Brexit, consumer habits and whether Britain’s seafood future depends less on what fishermen catch, and more on what the public chooses to buy. Sources include data and reporting from: https://www.seafish.org https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/marine-management-organisation https://www.mcsuk.org https://www.nffo.org.uk

    16 min

  3. Apr 28

    The Prawn Paradox

    Britain treats prawns like an everyday luxury, but behind that pink curl sits a global industry worth over a billion pounds. Most prawns eaten in the UK are imported from farms across Asia and Latin America, while a smaller share comes from cold-water fisheries in Scottish and North Atlantic waters. The contrast is stark: tightly managed UK stocks versus industrial aquaculture systems that can range from well-regulated to deeply damaging, particularly where mangroves have been cleared and water systems degraded. Supermarkets, exporters and global supply chains profit from scale and low prices, while coastal ecosystems and local communities often carry the cost. At its core, this is a story about convenience versus consequence, and how you can shop better with the tools of information at your disposal. https://thesra.org/news-insights/insights/sourcing-spotlight-taking-a-closer-look-at-prawns/ https://aquaculturemag.com/2025/04/28/global-scenario-of-shrimp-industry-present-status-and-future-prospects/

    20 min

  4. Apr 27

    Shark Nets: Safety or Illusion?

    In this episode, we examine beach safety and the global shark mitigation systems built around one of humanity’s oldest modern fears: shark attacks. Focusing on coastal programmes in Australia, South Africa, and Hong Kong, we explore how shark nets, drumlines, and barrier systems were introduced not because attacks were common, but because fear of them was powerful. We look at how the 1916 New Jersey shark attacks helped create the modern image of sharks as deliberate threats, shaping public policy and beach management for the next century. The episode breaks down how shark nets and drumlines actually work in practice, what they are designed to do, and why many people misunderstand them as protective barriers rather than population control systems. Finally, we consider whether these methods truly make beaches safer, the enormous bycatch they create for dolphins, turtles, rays, and harmless sharks, and how newer technologies like drones, SMART drumlines, and shark spotting programmes may offer a better balance between human safety and marine conservation. 1. Close to Shore: A True Story of Terror in an Age of InnocenceAuthor: Michael CapuzzoWhy used: Essential historical account of the 1916 New Jersey shark attacks that reshaped public fear and public policy around sharks.https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Close_to_Shore 2. KwaZulu-Natal Sharks BoardOrganisation: KZNSB, South AfricaWhy used: Key operational source on shark nets, drumlines, and the long-term effectiveness of shark control programmes in South Africa.https://www.shark.co.za/ 3. NSW Department of Primary Industries – SharkSmart ProgrammeOrganisation: New South Wales GovernmentWhy used: Current information on shark nets, SMART drumlines, drones, and modern alternatives to traditional shark mitigation systems.https://www.sharksmart.nsw.gov.au/technology-trials-and-research/smart-drumlines Key Sources

    19 min

  5. Apr 15

    The Longline; A Look At The Hook

    In this episode, we examine longlining in the Northeast Atlantic, focusing on fishing activity off the coasts of Portugal and Spain. Longlining is a widely used commercial fishing method involving baited hooks deployed across long distances in open water to target species such as swordfish and sharks. We explore how the practice developed into a major industrial fishery in the region, the species it primarily targets, and how catch composition has shifted over time, including increasing interactions with shark populations. The episode also looks at how longline gear operates in practice, where the catch enters global supply chains, and how different markets make use of both target and non-target species. Finally, we consider alternative fishing methods with lower bycatch rates, alongside ongoing debates around sustainability, transparency, and fisheries management. Key Sources 1. Oceana –Hunted for Fins: How the EU Fleets Target Threatened Sharks Organisation: OceanaWhy used: Key report on Spanish and EU longline fleets, shark targeting and Atlantic catch statistics. https://oceana.org/reports/hunted-fins-how-eu-fleets-target-threatened-sharks-without-management-worlds-oceans/ 2. Food andAgriculture Organization (FAO) – Longline Fishing Techniques and Gear Organisation: United Nations FAOWhy used: Technical source explaining longline fishing mechanics, hook systems, and global fishing practices. https://www.fao.org/fishery/en/geartype/232/en 3. AquaticLiving Resources Journal – Hooking Mortality of Elasmobranchs in AtlanticSwordfish Pelagic Longline Fisheries Publication: Aquatic Living ResourcesWhy used: Scientific research on mortality rates and bycatch impact in Portuguese/Atlantic longline fisheries.   The Portuguese industrial pelagic longline fishery in the Northeast Atlantic: Catch composition, spatio-temporal dynamics of fishing effort, and target species catch rates; Hugo Parra https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0165783623001236

    18 min

  6. Apr 14

    Tuna; The Canned Goliath

    In this episode, Rory Forsyth explores the hidden environmental cost behind one of the world’s most common supermarket staples: canned tuna. From industrial fishing fleets and destructive Fish Aggregating Devices to misleading “dolphin friendly” labels and rising global demand, this podcast uncovers the truth behind the tuna industry and asks whether consumers are being kept in the dark. Discover why tuna are vital to ocean ecosystems, how overfishing impacts sharks and marine life, and what must change if tuna is to remain a truly sustainable food source for future generations. A deep dive into food, ethics, business and conservation. #Sharklines #SustainableSeafood #tuna #ocean Key Sources 1. Ian Urbina – The Crimes Behind the Seafood You Eat Publication: The New YorkerAuthor: Ian UrbinaWhy used: Excellent investigative overview of exploitation, slavery, and hidden malpractice within the global seafood industry. https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2023/10/16/the-crimes-behind-the-seafood-you-eat 2. International Seafood Sustainability Foundation – Status of the World Fisheries for Tuna (2025) Organisation: ISSFWhy used: Main source for current tuna stock data and scientific sustainability assessments. https://www.iss-foundation.org/tuna-stocks-and-management/our-tuna-stock-tools/status-of-the-stocks/ 3. William McKeever – Emperors of the Deep Author: William McKeeverWhy used: Referenced for shark bycatch statistics and wider ecological commentary on apex marine predators. https://williammckeever.com/book-emperors-of-the-deep/

    14 min

  7. Apr 14

    Welcome to Sharklines; The Beat

    Welcome to Sharklines: The Beat. In this opening episode, Rory Forsyth introduces himself, explains how one simple question about supermarket fish started this whole journey, and sets out what’s to come. Together, we’ll dive into the hidden world behind the seafood we eat, following fish from ocean to plate and uncovering what happens in between. We’ll explore sharks, tuna, fishing fleets, sustainability, waste, bycatch, big business and the people behind it all. Using science, stories and expert voices, Sharklines asks the questions most of us never think to. No lectures. No finger-pointing. Just curiosity, honesty, and pulling at the lines to see where they lead. #shark #sharklines #conservation #fishingindustry #sustainableseafood

    11 min
  • 7 Episodes

About

Sharklines: The Beat is an investigative report on fishing, the fish we eat and the hidden economics of the ocean. I’m Rory Forsyth, and together we’re diving into the hidden world behind the fish on your plate. From sharks and tuna to fishing fleets, bycatch and billion-pound industries, we’ll follow the journey from ocean to supermarket shelf to uncover what really happens in the supply chain. How does a fish caught in deep water end up fresh in your fridge days later? Who decides what lives, what dies, and what gets sold? Through science, experts and firsthand voices, we will find out.

Information

  • Creator
    Rory Forsyth
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    7
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Rory Forsyth
  • Show Website
    Sharklines; The Beat