Off the coast of eastern Australia, more than 800km from shore, the remote reef lagoons of Middleton and Cato serve as vital nursery grounds for juvenile Galapagos whaler sharks—populations with unique genetics not found elsewhere in the region. Filmed on the RED EPIC during an expedition from Sydney to Hervey Bay, these encounters offered a rare look at young sharks in the wild. Likely having never encountered humans before, they moved in with confidence and curiosity—circling back during dives, testing their distance, even gently nudging camera gear. Captured alongside captain barefootcaptain for the short film GODDESS (Ocean Film Festival official selection), this footage helps challenge fear-based assumptions and highlight the intelligence and complexity of these often-misunderstood animals. [#SharksonRED 5/11 with jennicollierphotography]