The Legacy of Bethany “Bee” Smith: A Voice for the Ocean’s Most Misunderstood

Bethany “Bee” Smith (June 2001 – July 2025) was an exceptional marine biologist. At 12 years old, she declared that her mission was to “save the sharks”: a promise she would honour for the rest of her life. What made Bethany truly remarkable was her seamless blend of academic integrity and exceptional public communication. She paired rigorous scientific research on marine animals and conservation with clear, engaging explanations to her 266,000 TikTok followers.

Tragically, Bethany passed away suddenly in late July 2025, while volunteering for a shark conservation charity in Indonesia. Her loss is felt deeply across the global conservation community, yet her impact remains a beacon for future scientists.

Bethany’s academic journey began at Somerville College, University of Oxford, where her Master’s thesis, which was focused on shark bycatch in industrial fisheries, was awarded a distinction. This foundation in fisheries science provided the authority behind her advocacy. In September 2025, having obtained a competitive scholarship, she was set to begin a PhD in Marine Biology at the University of Southampton, with a focus on the ecology and conservation of sharks in the Western Indian Ocean.

Throughout her studies, Bethany undertook extraordinary research trips. Her first expedition to the Azores investigated the history of whaling and its impact on sperm whale populations and local culture. By interviewing over 100 stakeholders, including former whalers, she examined the complex socio-economic costs of the industry and its lasting implications for both whale populations and the culture of whaling communities. Her research in the Azores was to be the subject of a documentary, which she was preparing to release.

Bethany also travelled to Taiwan to research the conservation of the Megamouth shark. This rare, deepwater species is known for its distinctive large head and unique filter-feeding mechanism, yet remains one of the ocean's greatest mysteries. During two trips, she evaluated catch-and-release policies introduced after the megamouth received legal protection in 2020. Crucially, her research looked beyond the biological impact on the sharks, examining how these policies affected the livelihoods of local fishers. She slowly gained the trust of fishers in Taiwan and was eventually invited out on one of the fisherman’s vessels to observe the catch and release of megamouths first-hand. Across several outings, Bethany personally recorded three of the approximately 200 confirmed global sightings of the megamouth shark. While most sightings are of deceased specimens, Bethany was among the rare few to have swum with a living megamouth—an experience she documented for her audience on TikTok and YouTube to inspire a new generation of ocean lovers.

Her work in Taiwan completely changed her view on shark conservation.  From then onwards, she held firm in the belief that conservation efforts would not be successful if human beings unfairly suffered as a result. This philosophy of "conservation through empathy" led her to Indonesia last summer, where she volunteered with Project Hiu. She supported shark fishers in the transition to sustainable livelihoods through leading marine tourism trips in Lombok. She was in her element with like-minded people who shared her passion for shark conservation and marine life.

What made Bethany unique was the way she paired rigorous academic research with a deep commitment to sharing her passion for marine wildlife beyond the academic community. She believed strongly that conservation depended not only on research but on public understanding, and she saw social media as a powerful tool for inspiring change. Through @beelovesthesea, Bethany created accessible, engaging and educational videos about marine animals and their protection. Her content resonated widely, achieving around 6 million likes and up to 6.8 million views per video.

This extraordinary reach earned her invitations to the BBC Creator Lab and BBC Springwatch in 2024, proving that digital storytelling is a vital frontier for modern science. Beyond her online presence, Bethany was a gifted communicator in person, giving regular public talks to youth and adult audiences. Whether in a lecture hall, on television, or online, she had a rare ability to make somewhat complex elements of marine biology clear, urgent, and genuinely exciting.

To continue her vital work, the Bethany Smith Environment Award has been established at Somerville College, Oxford. The award will support research-based projects in ecology, conservation, and sustainability for undergraduate and Master’s students.

By supporting future generations of researchers, we can ensure that Bethany’s mission to "save the sharks" continues to evolve and thrive. The goal is to raise £20,000 to help students pursue the impactful work Bethany cared for so deeply.

You can read more about the award and donate here: The Bethany Smith Environmental Award - Somerville College Giving. With thanks to Timothy Walker, Bethany’s personal tutor, for his contributions.

Sonia Zisman

Sonia studied alongside Bethany at Somerville College, Oxford, and graduated in 2023. She was one of Bethany’s closest friends and was deeply fascinated by her conversational work.