Discovery Channel’s highly anticipated Shark Week 2023 is set to kick off this weekend with a thrilling new program titled Belly of the Beast: Feeding Frenzy. This prototypical Shark Week entry combines science and entertainment as it takes viewers inside the fascinating world of sharks.
Belly of the Beast: Feeding Frenzy follows marine biologist Austin Gallagher and his team of researchers and camera operators as they embark on an exciting mission off the coast of South Africa. Their goal is to bring great white sharks out of the shadows and study their behavior up close.
The team sets out a custom-built, life-size whale decoy named EARL (Elasmobranch Aquatic Research Lure) in the ocean. Gallagher stations himself inside EARL, keeping a watchful eye on the surrounding waters for any signs of sharks. He can even control the release of chum and blood from compartments along EARL’s submerged surfaces to attract the magnificent creatures. However, this daring endeavor comes with its risks, as Gallagher acknowledges the limited protection offered by the thin plastic barrier separating him from any potential shark attacks.
According to Gallagher, the population of white sharks off South Africa is currently unstable due to the presence of orca killer whales, which have hunted and killed many white sharks while also terrifying and displacing others. Gallagher’s team hopes that their unique study with the decoy whale carcass will shed light on this situation.
While Shark Week has faced criticism in the past for veering too far into fictional entertainment, Gallagher emphasizes that Belly of the Beast is grounded in real science. By using decoys and getting face-to-face with white sharks, he believes his scientific understanding deepens.
In addition to Belly of the Beast, Shark Week 2023 will feature a lineup of other intriguing programs, including Jaws vs. The Meg, Great White Fight Club, Alien Sharks: Strange New Worlds, Raiders of the Lost Shark, Cocaine Sharks, and Shark vs. Snake: Battle of the Bites. The event aims to capture viewers’ attention with thrilling and educational content centered on the captivating world of sharks.
Apart from Discovery Channel, other outlets are also joining the shark frenzy. Horror streaming service Shudder is set to release Sharksploitation, a documentary exploring the cinematic legacy of sharks post-Jaws, while HBO’s After the Bite delves into the aftermath of a fatal shark attack in Wellfleet, Massachusetts, in 2018.
As audiences dive into the gripping world of sharks during Shark Week 2023, they can expect a unique blend of entertainment and science that aims to educate and captivate viewers. With Belly of the Beast leading the charge, this year’s event promises to offer an unforgettable experience that brings viewers face-to-face with these awe-inspiring creatures.
