CHRIS FISCHER
Expedition Leader

Chris Fischer is the ultimate modern-day explorer on a critical mission that will make history. Since 2007 he has led 14 expeditions and covered over 250,000 nautical miles to unlock the mysteries surrounding great white sharks and other giants of the ocean. Fischer gladly accepts the trials and rewards of being an expedition leader—wicked weather and massive financial responsibility don’t scare him. He is devoted to protecting apex predators like sharks, which are disappearing at a rate of tens of millions a year despite being the great balance keepers of the ocean. “If you put shark populations at risk, you put the entire ocean at risk—it’s that simple,” says Fischer. .

BRETT MCBRIDE
Captain
Captain Brett McBride is the first man in the water and the last man out. From his first day aboard a fishing vessel at age 5 to becoming the captain of the MV OCEARCH, Brett has pushed himself to solve the most dangerous challenges imaginable. A world-class mariner who’s worked with Chris Fischer for over 15 years, he’s an expert at “reading the water” from above and below. He uses simple solutions for the complex problem of capturing and releasing large predators, including jumping into the water next to them on the lift. Brett is a seasoned diver, expert free-diving spearfisherman, big wave surfer and avid conservationist. Summing up the dangers of “hand-lining” great white sharks, he says, “The first two minutes of a shark being on are the most dangerous—you’re standing inches from a coil of line that can catch your leg in a split second while trying to safely pull in an animal that’s 10 to 15 times your weight—while making sure the buoys are flying out without getting hit by what amounts to a cement soccer ball.” He adds, “Everything we do is to reduce impact to the shark—in essence, we agree to put ourselves at risk to avoid risk to them.”

TODD GOGGINS
First Mate

Growing up in southern Florida, Todd hunted and fished his way through swamps, lakes and the ocean before finding himself among the ranks of the ultimate outdoorsmen on the MV OCEARCH. On board, Todd is the resident funnyman whose serious responsibilities for rigging tackle and the primary fishing boat, Contender, require him to put on his game face every day. Todd relies on his real-world in-the-wild experience and understands that, in “one-shot” catch and release, there are no second opportunities to get it right. His passion for Chris Fischer’s mission and the challenge of catching giant predators for science drive him to excel at every task, whether it’s preparing gear or helping Brett and Jody wrangle a 2-ton animal.

JUAN VALENCIA
Deckhand
No one aboard the MV OCEARCH has seen more life transitions than Juan Valencia. Responsible for the critical role of operating the hydraulics for the giant research lift and boom crane, Juan brings a larger-than-life image and a soft voice to the controls. Many would cringe at the thought of lifting and lowering a cantilevered platform at precisely the right time and speed amid high winds and rough seas—with a live shark, scientists, crew members and expedition leader Chris Fischer aboard. But Juan has a clear, calm focus. It’s a focus that comes from a different perspective. Growing up in Southern California, including on the mean streets of East L.A., he was exposed to a harsh side of humanity few people have seen firsthand. After losing his brother to gang violence, Juan had to find a way to rise above it all. Since walking aboard the MV OCEARCH at a commercial dock in San Diego and asking for a job, Juan has spent every day proving that taking a chance on him was a very smart call.

ALEX SNOW
Deckhand
Alex Snow, the “newbie” of the crew, has come a long way from the Lone Star State, where he grew up fishing and hunting. While studying at Texas A&M University he found an internship-turned job aboard the MV OCEARCH. Responsible for tagging sharks as the clock ticks, Alex has one shot to get the shark off the lift and to record all the data being shouted by crew members, scientists and expedition leader Chris Fischer. Alex’s formal background in business and economics makes for accurate numbers, while his fishing and hunting expertise and passion for Chris Fischer’s mission drive him to get the job done. Alex is on his way to becoming a seasoned member of the OCEARCH team.

BRANDON EYRE
Deckhand / Research Assistant

Brandon studied marine biology at the University of the Virgin Islands, taking part in oceanographic studies with NOAA and coral/fish propagation studies on Caribbean reefs. Over six years, he worked for several aquariums and aquatic wholesalers and later become Curator of Animals for The Living Planet Aquarium in Utah. He joined the team originally as a marine animal consultant.