Catherine Cushenan (also known as @catsharks in cyberspace) is a shark ecologist, freediver and underwater photographer who has spent the past nine years working in the ocean, both carrying out research and working in eco-tourism. Her work recently focuses on creating content centred around the importance of conservation and raising awareness of lesser-known areas occupied by charismatic megafauna.
Her passion for the ocean started at an extremely young age, with a somewhat unrealistic goal of turning into a mermaid as her chosen career. As she slowly discovered the genetic limitations of this idea, her mind turned instead to studying shark populations worldwide, from playing a role in understanding the population density and migratory behaviours of whale sharks in the Philippines, Australia, the Maldives and Mexico, to studying movement ecology of tiger sharks in French Polynesia, the Bahamas and the Maldives.
Her Master’s thesis focussed on how drones can be used in studying shark behaviour in shallow tropical ecosystems, which was a pivotal first step into the world of photography. Starting in the sky, she ended up shooting sharks, whales and rays around the globe with a Sony a7Riii (paired with a 14-24mm Sigma lens and Ikelite housing).
Her most recent travels have revolved around various whale species and their migrations, working annually in the Silver Bank, Dominican Republic, the best-kept secret breeding ground for northern humpback whale populations, to Mauritius where she is currently working with the sperm whale populations to inspire the development of much-needed regulations in the marine tourism industry.
Having spent so much time in the water, she developed a natural penchant for freediving, and became quite taken with the sport in 2019. After naturally taking to the water since her first tankless exploits in Wakatobi, Indonesia in 2014, her first SSI freediving course in Egypt in 2019 had her hooked. By the end of the year, she had become a freediving instructor, and her personal best (CWT) sits at a whopping 62.7m.
Her true pride is her static record, which is 06:05 at the time of writing- however, by next summer she is planning to earn a British Women’s record in this discipline. These aspirations have most recently earned her an esteemed partnership opportunity with Garmin as their newest UK freediving athlete, as she proudly sports her Garmin Descent Mk2S both in and out of the water – her favourite accessory for training, diving and all that her lifestyle brings.
Sperm whales grouping as Cat looks on with her GoPro and Garmin Descent Mk2S
Male sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus) off the coast of Mauritius
Humpback whale just passing by, Silver Bank, Dominican Republic
Getting acquainted with a tiger shark (Galeocerdo cuvier) in Fuvamulah, Maldives
Wreck of the Polyxeni freighter, Silver Bank
Schooling Galápagos sharks (Carcharhinus galapagensis) in Oahu, Hawaii
Scalloped hammerhead (Sphyrna lewini), Cocos Island
Tiger sharks and friends at Tiger Beach, Bahamas
Pair of whale sharks (Rhincodon typus) passing each other at Hanifaru Bay, Maldives
Four humpback whales dancing at Silver Bank, Dominican Republic
Humpbacks gathered near the surface, Dominican Republic
Humpback whale calf, Dominican Republic
Feeding whale shark, Maldives
Cruising whale shark, Maldives
Train of reef manta (Mobula alfredi), Maldives
Lemon shark (Negaprion brevirostris) at Tiger Beach, Bahamas
Up close and personal with manta rays at Hanifaru Bay, Maldives
Female tiger shark at Tiger Beach, Bahamas
Pair of humpbacks at Silver Bank, Dominican Republic
Find more from Catherine at her website www.catsharks.co.uk and Instagram @catsharks
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