Valerie and her husband Ron Taylor were world-famous for their filmmaking, innovation and conservation.

Valerie first went underwater in 1956.

She took up spear fishing and won several Australian championships - but most importantly it led her to meet her future husband, Ron.

Eventually the conservationist in each of them took over and Ron and Valerie swore off spear fishing for good.

They were the first people to film great white sharks without the protection of a cage, and to film sharks by night.

Ron and Valerie were asked by Steven Spielberg to capture the live shark underwater sequences that were critical for his movie Jaws.

Valerie's beloved husband Ron died in 2012.

About to turn 80, Valerie is still a vigorous campaigner for marine conservation, and dives whenever she can.

Further information and listening

Michael Dillon is a pioneering adventure cinematographer whose many films encompass the world's most spectacular destinations.

Science writer James Woodford has looked beyond the shark's monstrous image to find out the truth about them.

Richard Fitzpatrick is a marine biologist and cameraman who has an unusually 'hands-on' relationship with sharks.