SHARKS: REEF RIVALS – National Geographic/ITV Studios

Fifty miles off Australia’s coast, a tiny island in the Great Barrier Reef becomes a deadly arena where some of the ocean’s top predators collide. Each day, shifting tides transform a shallow lagoon from a harsh trap into a feeding ground, drawing in bull sharks, hammerheads, and tiger sharks. A team of scientists embarks on a high-stakes expedition to uncover what drives this extraordinary gathering of giants. As they tag and track sharks, deploy cutting-edge camera technology, and witness rare hunting behaviour, a complex food web begins to emerge—fuelled by nesting turtles, vast seabird colonies, and abundant marine life. From low-tide ambushes to high-tide invasions, the team reveals how each species exploits the island’s shifting hunting opportunities.

  • Producer/Director: Mark Woodward
  • Executive Producer: Emma Ross
  • Director of Photography: Joseph Brunette
  • Drone and Underwater Photography: Richard Fitzpatrick
  • Production Manager: Nina Lowes
  • Assistant Producer: Sophy Crane
  • Post Production: The Edit
  • Scientific Consultant: Adam Barnett
  • Scientific Consultant: Lauren Meyer