marine biologist, professional shark diver, wildlife conservationist, underwater photographer,& expedition leader.
image by Juan Oliphant
image by Mike Scott
Born and raised in Missouri, over 700 miles from the nearest drop of saltwater, my introduction to the ocean realm was quite different than most ocean-minded individuals. The same fear driven media used to horrify an entire generation was the spark that ignited a fire within that created my passion for the world's most misunderstood species. That's right, JAWS. My fascination with the natural world further developed with thanks to the infamous Steve Irwin, "The Crocodile Hunter", as he influenced my complete fixation on behavioral studies of predatory species. I always admired how where others saw monsters, he saw beauty.
I went on to attend Hawaii Pacific University accomplishing a BSc in Marine Science, and University of Florida accomplishing a Masters in Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences. My current research focuses primarily on shark behavior and movement ecology.
My complete fascination with sharks continued to thrive throughout my studies and after. I was approached by producers of Discovery Channel's "Shark Week" in 2014 to be featured on an episode highlighting the large predatory shark species of Hawaii. It was during filming that I met photographer and shark conservationist Juan Oliphant. I went on to join the One Ocean Diving/Water Inspired team (founded by Juan Oliphant and Ocean Ramsey) where I learned how to interact in-water with these incredible predators and conduct pelagic field research surveys. Fate had finally brought me into the incredible world of sharks.
From there I spent each August-November season in French Polynesia for the humpback while migration working as an underwater photographer and expedition leader for ecotourism company Moorea Moana Tours. I am now a full time resident of French Polynesia and have founded the Mao Mana Foundation; an organization dedicated to the sharks of French Polynesia. We are currently working on multiple projects side by side with the Tahitian government’s environmental agency to educate the community, promote safe shark interactions, and furthering research efforts. You can catch some of this work on Nat Geo Wild’s Shark Fest special feature, “Worlds Biggest Tiger Shark”and “Tiger Shark vs Great White”.
My dedication to the conservation and research of shark and ray species continues to grow and develop as I travel around the globe expanding my knowledge on the world's most misunderstood creatures.
After spending many years traveling to some of the most famous as well as some of the most remote hotspots for sharks around the world, I began organizing expeditions under a self-founded company, Ladyshark Expeditions.
My goal is to not only further the understanding and positive perception of the world’s most misunderstood predator, but to help preserve the marine environment and inspire the next generation to be captivated by it’s wild.
MEDIA AND PRODUCTION
MADI Apparel: "Confessions of a Ladyshark" (2017). https://www.madiapparel.com/blogs/news
Clark Little: “Shorebreak” (2015-2016) behind the scenes water safety and on camera marine biologist, ensuring safety of videographers and photographers in high-intensity interactions with galapagos, sandbar, and tiger sharks
Pakaloha Maui: “Q&A with Kori Garza, a marine biologist and conservationist who loves the ocean and works to protect and inform us on its most misunderstood inhabitants everyday” (2016) https://pakalohamaui.com/archives/28141
ABC News Online:"Mako Tacos and Other Bites on the Menu for ‘Shark Week’" (2015) http://abcnews.go.com/Lifestyle/mako-tacos-bites-menu-shark-week/story?id=32262421
AlphaTV Greece: “World Party” (2015) on camera host marine biologist educating in shark biology/ behavior/conservation, in water safety, and videographer
Honolulu Star-Advertiser: “Shark tours serve up face time with fearsome fish” (2015) research assistant and consulting marine biologist. http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2015/aug/2/shark-tours-serve-up-face- time-with-fearsome-fish/?page=all
Keiko Conservation: “Kori Garza swims with galapagos, sandbar, and tiger sharks for One Ocean Diving” (2015) feature conservationist demonstrating positive human-shark interaction, videographer
Project Mermaids (2015) behind the scenes water safety and assistant to photographer
Discovery Channel's Shark Week: “Sharkageddon” (2014) on camera host marine biologist educating on tiger shark migration patterns and behavior, deploying specially equipped video and tag rig on the dorsal of a large female tiger shark
Daily Mail: “Video: Heroic divers rescue five sharks snared in fishing nets and even use their hands to remove hooks from their mouths after seeing they were trapped off the coast of Indonesia” (2019) https://www.dailymail.co.uk/video/news/video-1853406/Video-Ocean-lovers-rescue-sharks-fishing-net-Indonesia-coast.html
Caters News Agency: “Perfectly timed photograph makes it look like diver is being swallowed whole by whale shark” (2019) https://www.catersnews.com/stories/animals/forget-jonah-almost-a-joan-ah-perfectly-timed-photograph-makes-it-look-like-diver-is-being-swallowed-whole-by-whale-shark/
France Info Polynesie: “Polynesia: Freediver puts tiger sharks to sleep” (2020) https://la1ere.francetvinfo.fr/polynesie-apneiste-pierrick-seybald-endort-requins-tigres-784463.html
Nat Geo Wild Shark Fest: “Tiger Lagoon” (2020) feature shark specialist introducing the Nat Geo Team to a remote hot spot for tiger sharks in French Polynesia for population surveys including shark numbers, shark movement, and behavior.
Save The Reef’s “50 Minutes to Save the World” use of footage filmed in Lombok, Indonesia. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wthTmQHmuZ0
Corona Studios “Ocean Shepherds” feature on the founding and mission of Mao Mana Foundation. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CISPBPSkAm0&list=PLfkDQOaop5cqmvxIMNZFoD54MciixD8pw&index=4
Nat Geo Wild Shark Fest: “Shark Attack Files: Deadly Duo” (2021) feature shark specialist introducing the Nat Geo Team to a remote hot spot for tiger sharks in French Polynesia for population surveys including shark numbers, shark movement, and behavior.
Discovery Channel Shark Week- 6 episode series: “Shark Academy” (2021) feature shark specialist mentoring aspiring shark researchers for a 8 week hands on program in Bahamas.
Discovery Channel Shark Week: “The Haunting of Shark Tower” (2022) feature shark specialist in search of Great White Sharks in North Carolina.
Nat Geo Wild Shark Fest: “Great White vs Tiger Shark” (2022) feature shark specialist introducing the Nat Geo Team to a remote hot spot for tiger sharks in French Polynesia.
100 For The Ocean (2023): Contributing Artist for conservation campaign to raise funds for ocean conservation through fine art print sales as part of the 100 leading global underwater photographers. www.100fortheocean.com
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