Making Waves for Shark Protection
From Fear to Fin-tastic: Jonas and Jelle Dive In to Defend Sharks
By Blake Martinez, Shark Safety Diver & Science Communicator, written for Shark Allies
When Belgian entertainers Jonas Van Geel and Jelle Cleymans reached out to us about swimming with sharks in mermaid tails for a new TV show, we weren’t sure whether to laugh—or start planning. But their mission was clear: face their fears and inspire respect for sharks through the power of transformation.
In their show Zero to Heroes, Jonas and Jelle—best friends since they were twelve—set out to become real-life superheroes. Each episode, they choose a childhood hero (like Tarzan, Batman, or The Little Mermaid), research who embodies that archetype today, and try to become just like them. That’s where Chelsea and I came in—as their mermaid instructor and shark safety diver for an episode inspired by The Little Mermaid.
Their goal? To trade capes for tails, dive in as mermen, and swim alongside real sharks to support Shark Allies' “Respect. Not Fear.” campaign.
Turning the Tide
In February, we dropped anchor in the turquoise waters off Eleuthera, Bahamas—an area known for its crystal clarity and vibrant shark life. Our co-stars? Caribbean reef sharks: sleek, curious, and deeply misunderstood.
I dove in first with two glittering green mermaid tails to test the waters. Sharks are sensitive to new objects, and even a flash of fabric can disrupt their flow. But within minutes, a large female—marked by a rusty fishhook in her jaw—glided over to investigate. She nudged a tail with her fin. That was our green light.
When the sharks resumed their steady circling, I signaled Chelsea, then Jonas, Jelle, and the camera crew to enter.
Jonas, clearly nervous but all in, slid into the water. Jelle, a more experienced diver, offered a steadying smile. From the boat, I gave the final safety reminder: “Sharks use body language. If they look uncomfortable, we respect that and exit.”
As Jelle rubbed in reef-safe sunscreen, he repeated our prep notes: “Fins in a T-shape, no hunch in the back—that means a relaxed shark.” Jonas gripped my hand tightly as he entered.
“Tell me what you see,” I asked.
“Fins in a T, not a U—they’re relaxed!” he said, smiling through his nerves.
A Showstopper with Gills
What followed was pure magic. Jonas and Jelle, tails and all, dove into the realm of the reef sharks. Holding hands, they descended slowly—and the large female swam right between them, stealing the scene like a true star.
Chelsea and I hovered close behind with the camera, ready to intervene if needed, but all we felt was awe. These two performers had gone from shark-shy singers to ocean advocates in just a few days.
That’s the heart of this episode. Shark Allies’ “Respect. Not Fear.” campaign is about changing the narrative. Sharks are essential predators—not villains. They're vital for ocean balance and health, and they need protection, not persecution.
Why Sharks Need Heroes
The Caribbean reef shark (Carcharhinus perezi) was the perfect match for this mission. Common in Bahamian waters, they often swim in groups called “shivers.” While considered “near threatened” by the IUCN, they’re still faring better than many of their shark cousins.
Globally, sharks are in crisis. Over 100 million are killed each year—more than 11,000 every hour. In just 60 years, we’ve lost over 70% of the world’s sharks. The biggest threats? Industrial overfishing and the shark fin trade.
But when sharks vanish, so do the ecosystems they protect. As apex predators, they remove the sick and weak, keep prey populations balanced, and support coral reefs, seagrass beds, and kelp forests—all critical to oxygen production, climate regulation, and marine food webs.
The Power of Storytelling
When this episode was first proposed, we suggested nurse sharks—docile bottom-dwellers. But the mission was about more than comfort. We needed real transformation. Real sharks.
Thanks to Ocean Fox Dive Center and our dive guide Chad—who joked that “his” sharks were used to seeing weird things—we had the perfect setting. Jonas and Jelle were safe, supported, and surrounded by some of the ocean’s most misunderstood animals.
This wasn’t just a stunt. It was a heartfelt episode about bravery, curiosity, and challenging misconceptions—everything superhero stories are made of.
As we motored away from the reef, the same female shark with the rusty hook trailed us for a moment, her dorsal fin slicing the surface like punctuation. Was it a goodbye—or a thank you to their new ocean heroes Jonas and Jelle?
Watch, Learn, and Take Action
Catch Zero to Heroes on VTM Belgium to watch Jonas and Jelle take on their boldest mission yet. You’ll see how humor, heart, and heroism can change the way we see the wild.
To support shark conservation and learn how you can make a difference, visit www.sharkallies.com. Together, we can help rewrite the story of sharks—from feared to fiercely protected.
Sources:
“Carcharhinus Perezi.” Discover Fishes, www.floridamuseum.ufl.edu/discover-fish/species-profiles/carcharhinus-perezi/. Accessed 16 Feb. 2024.
“Cleymans & Van Geel.” Spotify, open.spotify.com/artist/5yRYgJHwb6gtIJ59POLBes. Accessed 16 Feb. 2024.
Half a century of global decline in oceanic sharks and Rays. (n.d.). https://repository.library.noaa.gov/view/noaa/49211/noaa_49211_DS1.pdf
Kramp, H. (2019, August 29). Heather Kramp: Seaweed is about to blow your climate change mind. California Sea Grant. https://caseagrant.ucsd.edu/news/heather-kramp-seaweed-about-blow-your-climate-change-mind#:~:text=Like%20land%20plants%2C%20seaweed%20produces,of%20the%20ocean%20food%20chain.
Ocean Fox Dive Center., www.oceanfoxdive.com/. Accessed 16 Feb. 2024.
Sources:
“Carcharhinus Perezi.” Discover Fishes, www.floridamuseum.ufl.edu/discover-fish/species-profiles/carcharhinus-perezi/. Accessed 16 Feb. 2024.
“Cleymans & Van Geel.” Spotify, open.spotify.com/artist/5yRYgJHwb6gtIJ59POLBes. Accessed 16 Feb. 2024.
Half a century of global decline in oceanic sharks and Rays. (n.d.). https://repository.library.noaa.gov/view/noaa/49211/noaa_49211_DS1.pdf
Kramp, H. (2019, August 29). Heather Kramp: Seaweed is about to blow your climate change mind. California Sea Grant. https://caseagrant.ucsd.edu/news/heather-kramp-seaweed-about-blow-your-climate-change-mind#:~:text=Like%20land%20plants%2C%20seaweed%20produces,of%20the%20ocean%20food%20chain.
Ocean Fox Dive Center., www.oceanfoxdive.com/. Accessed 16 Feb. 2024.