PHILIPSBURG:--- Sint Maarten conservationist and marine biologist Tadzio Bervoets will appear in the Discovery Channel’s Shark Week special Legend of the Devil Shark, airing this Saturday at 8 p.m. Eastern Time. The episode, filmed in part on the Saba Bank, explores the myths and realities surrounding so-called “devil sharks” in the Caribbean, blending science, cultural storytelling, and marine conservation. For viewers in the region, the program offers a rare opportunity to see familiar waters showcased on an international platform, while also highlighting the global significance of local marine conservation efforts.
This will be Bervoets’ second appearance on Shark Week. His first was in July 2016, when he joined scientists and conservationists from across the Dutch Caribbean during the height of the Save Our Sharks campaign. That initiative, which contributed to the establishment of the Yarari Marine Mammal and Shark Sanctuary, resulted in enhanced protections for sharks in the territorial waters of several Caribbean islands, including Sint Maarten. At the time, Bervoets served as director of the Sint Maarten Nature Foundation. They played a crucial role in developing shark conservation policies and advocating for the island’s designation as a shark sanctuary. He also worked to build local awareness through education programs. He was one of the first in the region to implement a tagging program to study shark movements and behavior in territorial waters.
His involvement in 'Legend of the Devil Shark' highlights not only the growing interest in Caribbean shark populations but also the increasing recognition of the region's role in broader conservation conversations. The episode follows Bervoets, along with marine scientist Dr. Austin Gallagher and journalist Kinga Philipps, as they investigate reports of unusually large tiger sharks around Saba and speak with local fishers about generations-old stories of dangerous “devil sharks.” Beneath the surface drama of the show lies a deeper message about the importance of preserving apex predators that play a crucial role in the health of coral reef ecosystems.
While much of the Caribbean still faces pressure from overfishing and poorly enforced marine protection, initiatives led by conservationists like Bervoets have helped shift public perception and policymaking. His continued involvement in science communication and regional conservation efforts brings needed visibility to the challenges and opportunities facing small island marine environments. The fact that this latest installment of Shark Week includes extensive footage from Saba’s waters—and features a conservationist from the Dutch Caribbean—is a point of quiet but meaningful significance.
Legend of the Devil Shark airs on the Discovery Channel on Saturday evening and will be available for streaming on Max shortly thereafter.