PEDDEMORS, Vic
Research interests
- Shark fisheries & their impact on target & non-target species
- Shark biology & ecology
- Factors affecting shark abundance & movements
- Shark attack & developing effective mitigation measures
- Emerging technologies for managing human/shark interactions
- Aerial survey techniques
- Genetics & population biology of marine apex predators
Background
Vic has over 35 years scientific research experience in Antarctica, Australia, England, Holland, Mozambique and South Africa. His research interests cover a wide range of marine apex predators, but have inevitably had an over-riding theme of ensuring human impacts on their populations are sustainable. At the NSW DPI, Vic is the senior scientist for assessment and management of sharks taken by commercial & recreational fisheries and the NSW Shark Meshing (Bather Protection) Program off 51 beaches within the metropolitan regions. He is also responsible for investigating and managing shark attack and mitigation of these traumatic events. In this role, he has participated in the updating and development of the NSW Shark Incident Response Plan, roll-out of the scientific component of the NSW Shark Management Plan, and liaises between the various agencies when investigating shark attacks in New South Wales waters. Vic currently sits on the IUCN Shark Specialist Group.
During the course of his career, Vic has pioneered the use of technological advances in his cross-disciplinary research including: (i) software development for photo-identification of individual sharks with engineers from Delft University, Netherlands; (ii) development and testing of the world’s first electronic shark repellent; (iii) examining the potential use of magnets to reduce shark bycatch in fisheries; (iv) initiating the first studies assessing neocortical development in dolphin brains using MRI scans with radiologists in South Africa; (v) development and testing of acoustic dolphin deterrent devices with bio-acousticians in the UK; (vi) the use of Finite Element Analysis modelling of shark bite with colleagues from UNSW; (vii) the use of scanning x-ray fluorescence microscopy (SXFM) at the Australian Synchrotron to investigate shark vertebrae composition; and the testing of new low environmental impact technologies for shark bite mitigation including SMART drumlines and drones. His experiences have highlighted the requirement to ‘think outside of the box’ when it comes to developing new strategies in dealing with human-shark interactions, whether it be in protecting humans from sharks or sharks from humans.
Qualifications
- B.Sc. – University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg (South Africa) 1980
- B.Sc. (Hons) - University of Natal, Durban (South Africa) 1983
- M.Sc. in Environmental Biology – University of Natal, Durban (South Africa) 1987
- PhD Zoology – University of Port Elizabeth (South Africa) 1995
Current projects
- NSW shark fisheries – assessment & sustainability
- Habitat use & movements of sharks in NSW
- Shark foraging ecology
- Shark age determination and processes affecting cartilaginous growth
- Factors affecting shark interactions with humans
- Emerging technologies for shark bite mitigation
- Shark biology, life history and population dynamics
- Shark bite forensics
Recent publications
Please refer to Vic Peddemors ResearchGate profile.
Professional associations and activities
- IUCN Species Survival Commission - Shark Specialist Group
Contact details
Email: vic.peddemors@dpi.nsw.gov.au
Phone: (02) 8251 2607
