On Thursday, July 24, 2025, In a thrilling celebration of Shark Week, the Waikīkī Aquarium hosted marine biologist and UH Mānoa – Department of Oceanography graduate student, Aaron Judah, to give a captivating Ocean Talk that plunged attendees into the mysterious realm of deep-sea sharks, rays, and chimaeras—creatures that inhabit some of the planet’s least explored ecosystems.
Judah, a Biological Oceanography Ph.D. student in the Deep-Sea Fish Ecology Lab, shared insights from his recent fieldwork in the western Pacific, conducted in collaboration with National Geographic Pristine Seas and with local communities. His talk, titled “Sharks of the Final Frontier: Diving into the Alien World of Deep-Sea Sharks, Rays, and Chimaeras,” showcased stunning, never-before-seen imagery and compelling stories from expeditions to remote regions like Papua New Guinea and Tuvalu.
sleeper shark (Somniosus sp.) photographs by National Geographic
Pristine Seas (top to bottom).
Judah’s discoveries go beyond scientific curiosity. His research is helping identify critical habitats and uncover novel behaviors that inform conservation and management strategies for deep-sea ecosystems. By providing insights into the distribution of these elusive species, Judah’s work contributes to the protection of biodiversity in areas increasingly threatened by human activity.
Originally from Toronto, Canada, Judah has built a global career studying marine environments—from South Africa’s kelp forests to Belize’s coral reefs. His lifelong passion for sharks has evolved into a mission to understand and safeguard these often-misunderstood animals. Now working under the mentorship of Dr. Jeffrey Drazen at the Deep-Sea Animal Research Center, Judah focuses on the functional ecology and conservation of deep-sea fishes. His research also explores the benefits of marine protected areas, aiming to secure long-term conservation gains for deep-sea biodiversity.
by Helen W. Sung