Kids Against the Shark Cull

Mr. Grabowski’s Grade 6 Class was my first visit as part of Skype Classroom’s month of Exploring Oceans.  As a diver himself, Mr. Grabowski has a passion for the ocean that he is sharing with his students.  We talked about my work as a shark diver and underwater videographer, but I also emphasized the importance of sharks in our ocean ecosystems.  The students had some great ideas when I asked them what they thought they could do to help sharks. Despite being landlocked, it is critical for them to know they have a voice and they can make a difference. No matter the topic of the lesson or talk, my goal is to inspire students and offer them tools to feel empowered. We are all connected and we have a very important job to help this planet.

Mr. Grabowski has brought numerous scientists, conservationists and ocean adventurers into his classroom through the month of Exploring Oceans, creating a classroom of global citizens.  When the recent news about the proposed shark cull in Western Australia went viral, his students decided to speak up and their voices have definitely been heard. I noticed "Her Deepness" Dr. Sylvia Earle even responded to their letter on Twitter!

The class drafted a letter to Premier Colin Barnett and they actually received a perfectly nondescript response in return. They did not get discouraged discouraged though, writing another very well informed and passionate response. They did not go off topic, ranting about finning or some other peripheral shark issues, often the kiss of death when drafting letters to government officials.  For example: NOAA-NMFS (National Marine Fisheries Service) proposed to open the 2014 Atlantic Shark Commercial Fishing Season throughout their Atlantic coastal range, beginning January 1, 2014 instead of the previous July 1 opening date. Lemon sharks aggregate off the coast of Jupiter, Florida and are a highly vulnerable, regionally specific shark population. They are protected in state waters, but not Federal waters, making them even more susceptible to overfishing during this critical aggregation time ranging from January to April.  During the open comment period, I saw several aggressive comments against shark finning. Yes, shark finning is terrible, but this was not the issue at hand.

Mr. Grabowski’s students are setting a strong example for not only for other students, but also for the general public and other conservationists. You can speak from the heart, but you also need to stay on topic and fact check.

“Human life is very important and when lives are lost through shark attacks it is very unfortunate. However, sharks have been in our oceans for 400 million years, we can’t fault them for that. How do you ‘mitigate’ animals in their own environment? Where are they supposed to go? How do you tell a shark that tourism dollars are more important and we’ll worry about environmental and biodiversity implications later? “

I look forward to continuing my collaboration with Mr. Grabowski and his incredible students. Thank you again for inviting me into your classroom.

FULL LETTER FROM MR. GRABOWSKI’S CLASS 

Marriage, a Mortgage and Mangroves: 2012 The Year in Review

2012 was a pretty epic year both personally and professionally. I started the year off on a crippled Sea Shepherd vessel, limping back to port in Australia. Duncan and I were the film team about the Brigitte Bardot for Animal Planet’s Whale Wars series. Our vessel was hit by a 30 ft rogue wave and we were 8 days getting back to port. I think this goes on record as the scariest thing I have been through, but being able to capture it and share the story was pretty
remarkable.

We made it back to port safely and wrapped the shoot towards the end of January. We headed to Bali for a little R & R before making the long journey back to the US. Did a couple of dives and was happy to share Bali with Duncan. February found us prepping for our impending April nuptials. We visited my family for a bit in New England as we gathered supplies and made plans for a wedding in Bimini, The Bahamas. Bimini kept drawing us back, so it was a natural decision to share the island with our family and friends as we said our vows.

It felt so good to get back to Bimini and back to the island life. We had just under a month to get things sorted for the wedding, but getting our gills wet was also a must. Got in some snorkeling and diving before the final wedding countdown began. We were not only planning a wedding, but also tons of activities for family and friends who were making a vacation out of the trip. This ended being a lot more work than expected and we were both pretty wiped out. Ten days before the wedding we flew back to Florida because I needed what ended up being an emergency root canal. We arrived back on island just in time for my mom to arrive. So it began. Duncan’s parents arrived the next day, as did my dad. Our parents had never met, so we threw them on a boat and headed out for adventure. We took them to one of our favorite spots on the planet to feed wild baby lemon sharks. It was a perfect day and a perfect way for our families to come together.

The week before the wedding was a blur of people arriving, boat trips, activities, meals and finalizing details. Things move a little slower in the Bahamas, so quite a few things were getting down to the wire. Our good friend Dougie offered his boat for a day at Honeymoon Harbor for all our guests. About thirty of us made our way south to the pristine harbor. It is here that you can hand feed stingrays and we got everyone in for a magical moment. We had a few sharks come in and everyone had a blast. We are so lucky to have such amazing people in our life.

The rehearsal dinner was held at our condo at the Bimini Sands. We hired Hotness, a local legend, to come cook Bahamian fare for everyone. The meal was incredible and we even managed to get through the rehearsal, but not without some of the bridal party mooning a passing boat.

April 14, 2012 around 4 pm I made a vow to spend my life with the most amazing man I have ever met. The sun broke through the clouds and lit up the ocean for us. We had a Junkanoo band and everyone had a blast. There really are no words to describe the moment, but it is one that I will hold in my heart forever. The sand, the sun and the sea, a perfect place to make this promise. I love you Duncan Brake. This was of course a sharktastic affair with sharks on the wedding cakes, in our wedding pictures and on our wedding chariot.

NOT A WEDDING VIDEO

No rest for the wicked. We gave Sharklab tours the day after the wedding and did a shoot the following day. Duncan joined the Sharklab to film some underwater sequences for Shark Week’s “How Jaws Changed the World.” We met Wendy Benchley, widow of famed author Peter Benchley, and the shoot went really well. We had a few guests for another week and by the time we said our last goodbyes we were both exhausted.

May was busy with two big shoots and a sawfish!!! We arrived at the lab to our friend Steve shouting, “get in the boat. Get in the boat.” We raced off in one of the skiffs not even sure where we were headed. Finally getting our bearings we pulled up alongside the other lab boats and got ready to slip in. As a moved towards the animal, I gasped. She was massive at about 14 feet and beautiful. I had never seen a sawfish in the wild and it was incredible. They look they belong with dinosaurs. We watched her and filmed a bit before saying goodbye. The lab tagged her and was able to track her through part of the night. This was such a rare and remarkable encounter.

Our first shoot was for a Discovery Channel show called Curiosity. The premise of the story was a woman whose father’s plane disappeared in the early 1980’s on his way from Eleuthera to Florida. The plane has never been found and Pam was hoping to find some answers. We joined some local guides and checked out a couple of unidentified plane wrecks. The shoot was pretty powerful as we all shared in Pam’s want for answers and some closure. Check out this VIDEO for a sneak peak. One of the planes was like something out of a movie set and was covered in life. Bimini is located in the Bermuda Triangle and there are dozens and dozens of plane and boat wrecks surrounding the island.



Our next shoot was for a British program called, “How to Survive a Disaster Movie.”
The show looked at scenes from various movies and reenacted them to see the lack of reality. We were a part of debunking events from the movie Jaws. The host was a British comedian names Eric Lampaert. He was hilarious and absolutely fell in love with the island and with the sharks. He actually asked if he could come back as our intern and do the safety briefing, which he surmised to be, “ don’t be a prick underwater.”

Sad to say goodbye to Bimini we headed to the States. I had a shoot with Symbio Studios as part of another education science video. In this project a group of teachers from St. Louise traveled to the Everglades to literally get their hands on science. We caught and tagged bull sharks, took an air boat tour to spot wildlife, kayaked, met some big snakes and snorkeled in the mangroves. They all agreed that this was not the white lab coat and old scientist experience they were expecting. It is important for teachers to have that first hand knowledge they can share with their students. Despite the intense heat, everyone loved the adventure.

Duncan and I had been saving our pennies and decided that we wanted to finally get a home. We had money from the wedding as well and after a thorough search we purchased a condo at the Bimini Sands. Bimini has always felt like home and it kept drawing us back in. It is where we needed to be. We travel so much for work, but Bimini is home. It is very exciting getting a house; so much to do and get sorted. We immediately grabbed a few cans of paint and started making the place our own. Amazing a fresh coat of paint can do. We also added a lot of sharky touches and installed energy and water efficient fixtures and light bulbs.

Shortly after becoming homeowners, Duncan was nominated for an Emmy as part of the Whale Wars Season 4 camera team. Such an honor and I am so proud of the work he did. Now having a season under my belt, I can understand how challenging and rewarding shooting this show is. Fingers were crossed that we could make it to Los Angeles and that the team would take home a win!

The second annual Lionfish bash was held in Bimini in July and we were asked to shoot the photos and do a video. The bash is hosted by the Bimini Sands and sponsored by numerous vendors throughout the Bahamas and Florida. The proceeds go to The Woody Foundation, a charity to help people with spinal cord injuries. James “ Woody” Beckham loved diving in Bimini before a freak rugby accident left him paralyzed in 2011. The event brings people together for sport, charity and the planet. Lionfish are an invasive species in the Atlantic and they are decimating coral reefs without any natural predators.



August is a beautiful month in the Bahamas and in the water is where you want to be. We organized a conservation photo and video week aboard a local wild dolphin boat and lucked out with some amazing encounters. Duncan missed part of the week because he was filming a magic show at the Atlantic Resort in Nassau. We played with stingrays, sharks and dolphins, even enjoyed being a bit of a tourist in Bimini. Hurricane Isaac changed our planned August Tiger Beach trip, but we enjoyed some time with friends in Miami instead.

Headed north to visit several schools in Maine during the month of September. I think I did thirteen presentations from age Kindergarten to 6th grade. I always find so much inspiration from the kids. I really love visiting schools and hope that in 2013 I will be able to do even more. The young kids are wide eyed and just love seeing the pictures while the older kids have really great questions and are learning and how they can make a difference. Very empowering and always reminds me there is hope for our oceans. I was also asked to appear on the Maine news show 207 to talk about sharks. This was a fun experience and hopefully reached a few people who might otherwise not know a lot about why sharks are so important.

Headed back to warmer climates and right to Grand Bahamas for a visit to the West End Primary School

. I have spent a lot of time at the West End and at Tiger Beach and I wanted to share the importance of the sharks with the students. They have an amazing underwater world in their back yard and I want them to know it is something they can all visit and should visit. Everyone can learn to snorkel and dive and it is crucial for these kids to realize this includes them. The Bahamas established a Shark Sanctuary in 2011 and these kids should be very proud to be Bahamian and be part of such an amazing effort to conserve the oceans. The kids were beautiful and this was by far one of the most meaningful school visits I have done. I look forward to getting back there in the New Year.


We headed back to Bimini to start a shoot about us! Yes, roles reversed, us on camera, but still filming while someone was filming us. A German producer wanted to do a thirty-minute documentary about our life as a couple traveling the world filming sharks and trying to save them. Unfortunately Hurricane Sandy had other plans and we were more or less skunked on everything we tried to make happen. Ulf left Bimini with plans to return again in a month.



We scooted north again for me to do doctor, dentist and more school visits. My mom’s house is also a quiet place for us to put our heads down and edit or work on other projects. On our way back to Bimini we stopped off in Fort Lauderdale to do a shark talk to my mom’s godson’s class. He is in first grade and we had a great visit. Again, I get so much inspiration from these visits. The kids always surprise me with how much they know and how much they care. I emphasize how much they can do to help sharks even though they are young. Gives them a sense of importance to feel like they are a part of something.

Back to Bimini and back at it. Ulf arrived a day and half after we did and we wasted no time getting into. The shoot was an amazing success with gorgeous weather and some beautiful moments. It will be interesting to hear what we sound like in German! We took a group of high school students into the mangroves to feed the wild baby lemon sharks. Always incredible to see humans and sharks make a connection. We also visited the Louise MacDonald High School to speak with the students about the role Bimini is playing in shark conservation and how they can help. Such a rewarding experience and one I hope we get to do again soon. Duncan and I will be returning to the school for a few more visits early in the New Year.

On December 17th, our little

came home with us. She is a mostly pit bull puppy that we got from the north island. We knew we were going to be on island for three to four months, so it seemed to perfect time to get a puppy! We had both wanted one for a while, but we needed to wait for the right time when we would be home. She is amazing on boats and in the golf cart. We took her to Honeymoon Harbor to spend Christmas Day with our friends Katie and Grant. She curled up and slept most of the boat ride and loved the beach. She was not really interested in the stingrays. Katie wrapped her in a blanket and she slept the whole ride home. She has probably seen more parts of Bimini and the surrounding areas than many people that visit.

The bulls

are back in town in Bimini and were able to help Lauran from the Sharklab, catch and tag a 2.46cm female on December 29th. Duncan was picking up our friends who were arriving for a shoot, but he managed to get them onsite in time for a group photo with this big beauty. Lusca even got to see here first bull shark. Lusca has seen nurse sharks, black tip sharks, a bull shark, stingrays and a Bimini Boa; not too bad for only being ten weeks old.

Our friends Dony and Michelle arrived to shoot an education video about the world’s coolest forests for a charity organization called Trees for Life. The mangroves are an incredible forest and they are in trouble in Bimini as well as many other places on the planet. Mangroves provide shelter, food and protection for not only numerous species of animals both above and below the surface but also for people and the island itself. We visited lemon shark in the mangroves, snorkeled with a seahorse, learned about bonefishing and why the mangroves are so important for the island of Bimini. We met some amazing people and had an incredible team. Katie and Grant, activities directors at the Bimini Sands and the Bimini Sands Resort were integral in making this amazing project happen. It is projected that 100,000 students in Ontario will see this video and hopefully it will end up in the Bahamian schools as well. We finished the shoot by planting mangrove propagules with some of the local kids.

All in all, 2012 was an incredible year and I look forward to the upcoming adventures in 2013.

Best Fishes,

Sharkyjillian

Oceanic White Tip Sharks Need Your Help!!!!!!!

The US has said they would put forth a proposal to get Oceanic White Tip sharks listed on the Appendix II at CITES and this has yet the happen. The deadline is fast approaching and sharks need us now. Please contact your US representatives and Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar.

Ken Salazar:
Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar
Phone: (202) 208-3100
E-Mail: feedback@ios.doi.gov


FIND YOU REPRESENTATIVES HERE

FIND YOUR SENATORS HERE


My letter:


Mr. Salazar:

Oceanic whitetip sharks have declined dramatically and need to be protected. CITES, the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, is the only international body that can provide meaningful global protection.The United States government has been expected to propose oceanic whitetips for Appendix II listing at CITES. However, the October 4th deadline is approaching and there is still no sign of a proposal. Sharks are necessary for the survival of our oceans and our planet needs sharks. Please speak up on behalf of the environment and help protect these amazing animals.

Cheers,

Jillian

Also check out SHARK SAVERS for more information.

Dolphins and Sharks and Rays oh My

Our most recent adventure was quite a roller coaster with lots of ups and downs, but the shark moments were amazing and will remain the highlight for me. Duncan and I were set to lead a conservation trip aboard the M/V Indigo around our island home. The underwater wildlife surrounding Bimini is incredible and this week was designed to offer guests a great insight into the animals that we love to interact with. The focal point of the week was the wild spotted dolphins. Just north of Bimini lies a stretch of white sand bottom and crystal blue water that is known as the dolphin grounds. Atlantic spotted dolphins travel in ever-dynamic pods, playing, feeding and being promiscuous in this area. Spotted dolphins are highly intelligent and curious and will spend hours interacting with humans. I obviously prefer sharks, but the experience is pretty amazing. A random mix of guests including one of my former co-workers and one of my former dive students joined us.

When the guests arrived we did our intros and talked about the goals we had for the week. Our first stop was the Sharklab to get everyone ready for the shark dive that would happen the following day. The lab is an ideal place for people to see sharks and have a chance to process their own personal experience. Duncan and I corralled everyone into the pen and began talking about the amazing sharks that are found around Bimini. I always find that showing people baby sharks is a way to elicit an empathetic reaction. They are really cute and this distracts from the monster mentality that some many people posses. Each person took a turn holding the little nurse shark. A few of the guests were nervous, but actually holding a shark and connecting with it usually breaks even the strongest adversaries. I could spend hours just wallowing in the pens and watching the lemons cruise and the nurse sharks pile up on the bottom.

The next morning we headed to Honeymoon Harbor to get everyone in with some of the friendliest animals in town. The stingrays that hang around the harbor have been fed for years and have no hesitation in bestowing love and the occasional goose on unsuspecting visitors and by goose I mean a stingray face to your backside. Stingrays are another species that gets a bad reputation, especially with the Steve Irwin accident. They are not malicious animals and unfortunately his sad demise could have been prevented. Predators attack stingrays from behind and the minimal movement of their spine is really their only defense. If a predator sneaked up on you and grabbed you, your reaction of self-defense would no doubt be similar.

Although the animals are given a small amount of food, the interaction is predominantly wild. Even after the food is gone the animals hang around and weave around snorkelers effortlessly. People argue that the animal’s behavior is being altered and yes to some degree it is. They are aware that people bring food, but it is nowhere near enough food to survive. Like shark dives, this site is the epitome of breaking stereotypes about these gorgeous creatures. Having a massive stingray sit on your lap is a pretty unique experience and even the biggest tough guy usually lets out a little giggle.

Our next destination was the reef known as Triangle where we were heading to do a snorkel with Caribbean reef sharks. The site was established about twenty years ago and has been used for research, filming and teaching. The sharks have become conditioned like Pavlov’s dogs, but again there is not enough food introduced for them to be lazy and no longer seek out their own meals. This is one of my favorite places on the planet because I have had the opportunity to introduce so many people to sharks for the first time. It usually takes 3-5 minutes to break down the barriers and for fear to evolve into excitement and aw. That change in perception is what continues to give me hope for the future of sharks and our oceans.


As with life, sometimes things don’t work out as expected and the boat had some issues positioning where we needed it to be. We made the best of it and guests enjoyed 3 curious sharks that hung out as we explored the reef. The highlight for me was when Bonnie, who had just learned to swim before the trip, said, “ holy crap. There is a shark. I am swimming with a shark. “ Her face lit up with a great big grin. This woman had not only jumped in the ocean for the first time, but also loved the sharks that were sharing the space with her. This is a huge success in my book; an inspirational story that everyone can and should swim with sharks. Although the encounter didn’t go as it was planned, it was a still a beautiful day in the water.

Duncan got a last minute shoot and Nassau and had to leave us after the second day. On our way out to the dolphin grounds the boat grounded out on the sand bank. They are dredging the channel between the two islands of Bimini and are making a bit of a mess. We spent most of the day stuck on the bottom. Obviously not ideal, but guests enjoyed some sunshine and swam off the back of the boat. One of the guests had homemade dolphin tarot cards so we each got a reading. I got a goddess card, so I was pleased with the outcome.

The next two days included some amazing interactions with the spotted dolphins. The weather was perfect and the sea was like glass. The finally day found dolphins just after breakfast. On the way into port we came across a pod of feeding bottlenose dolphins. We were able to slip in and hang out with them as they fed in a circular pattern. It is pretty incredible to watch as a massive dolphin drives its head into the sand after a razor fish. Nurse sharks frequent the same area, so I happily watched them feed.

Despite a few mishaps on the boat, Bimini shined once again for our guests. The dolphins were beautiful, the weather was perfect and people walked away with an unexpected love for sharks, one I know they will pass on at home.

Young Ocean Advocates: Your Voice Will be heard

I met Sander Elliott and his family on a shark diving trip in 2010. Sander’s pure love of the ocean is why I work with kids as often as possible. They have an amazing energy, which if harnessed, would ultimately change our world. Along with Sanders enthusiasm, the support from his dad and soon to be stepmother was incredible. They are continuing to support his passion and guide him in ways to step up and make a difference. Children often times feel as though they are too small or too young for anyone to take them seriously. Everybody, young or old has a voice; it is just a matter of how you express that voice in order to be heard.

When we are young we do not have all the answers or much life experience, but we know when we feel something. We may not now how to express it or how to make change, but if we have the tools then we can have an impact. Parents, teachers and family members can at this point play and extremely integral role in nurturing that energy and helping to find an appropriate outlet.

I spent my day with Sander chatting about diving and sharks. I love these moments with kids because they always remind me that there is hope. There is hope that people are inherently good and that people will save the oceans. We must all hold onto that spirit of hope in order to push forward for change. Nothing happens quickly, but we must stay faithful in our belief that we are having a positive impact.

I received an email from Sander’s father Jason regarding a cruise they had been on. The Carnival Cruise menu included shark and this really upset Sander. He expressed his concern to his dad and Jason said, “ well let’s do something.” Sander drafter a letter, seen below, to Carnival Cruise Lines and expressed why he felt it was unnecessary to have shark on the menu. The letter is beautifully written and I am proud to share it with you. We are still waiting on responses to his letter and my follow up letter, but that is no reason to be discouraged. They are a massive company, with no doubt a lot of comments and complaints passing through the system. Getting the attention of cooperate giants take a lot of work and this is just the start. We are spreading the word and Sander is setting an example that yes, kids can take a stand.


Hopefully people that read this will take time to write or letter or share their own experience. Letter writing does make a difference and can be a very powerful tool. Not only at the getting the attention of the company or person you are approaching, but educating others around you. Money runs our world and the almighty dollar can play a huge role in making changes. If people are aware that shark is being served because they read Sander or someone else’s letter, maybe they will think twice about booking a cruise. There will be no instant gratification, but it sets the ball rolling. Who knows it might reach the right person and make them think twice, sometimes all you have to do is ask?

Kids, don’t be afraid to use your voice. Parents, if your child is concerned about something, help them find the best avenue to express their ideas and concerns, you never know, you might even learn something.

Thank you Sander for being an ocean advocate and not being afraid to fight for change! You are the future and do not for one moment think that your opinion does not matter.

Thank you also to Incredible-Adventures for giving Sander the opportunity to see sharks up close.


Sander's Letter:

Micky Arison, Chairman and CEO
Carnival Cruise Lines
3655 NW 87th
Miami, FL 33178

Sander Elliott

Dear Mr. Arison:

My name is Sander Elliott and I am twelve years old. I am writing because I want to share some important information about sharks. I believe it is important that cruise lines and restaurants stop serving shark. Since Carnival is a large, important cruise line you could be an influential character in the movement to save the sharks and then help save the ocean, which Carnival and people depend on. Here are a few important statistics about sharks:

• Research shows that scalloped hammerhead and tiger sharks in the Atlantic ocean have likely declined by more than 97 percent; bull, dusky, and smooth hammerhead sharks by more than 99 percent.
(Science Daily, http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/03/070329145922.htm)

• Sharks are in trouble on the Great Barrier Reef, have almost been eliminated from the Atlantic Ocean, and are a regular on the endangered species list (I know that Carnival often sails in the Atlantic and if Carnival stopped serving shark it would help the sharks and the ecosystem come back and set an example for others to do the same).
(Science Daily, http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/03/070329145922.htm)

• The smooth hammerhead, Shortfin Mako, common thresher, big-eye thresher, silky, tiger, bull and dusky are going to be added to the endangered list. There are already 126 species of shark on the endangered list and the number is going to rise. Shark populations worldwide are at historical low levels due to serious over fishing.
(The Guardian, http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2008/feb/18/conservation.aaas)

• Also it is generally not a healthy choice for your customers to eat shark species (including dogfish) due to elevated levels of mercury.
(http://www.montereybayaquarium.org/cr/SeafoodWatch/web/sfw_factsheet.aspx?fid=103)
I believe that my suggestion to stop serving shark would be a good choice for Carnival Cruise Lines because it would show that you care about the oceans and the health of your customers. I really appreciate you taking the time to read my letter and I hope that you will consider my request.

Thank you,

Sander Elliott

Sander and Jason diving at Tiger Beach, The Bahamas

World Oceans Day

In reality everyday should be world oceans day. We desperately need our oceans and they desperately need us to take care of them. Globally we are filling them with trash and pollution, killing off their inhabitants and disregarding them with reckless abandon. Ironic that this is how the human population treats its life force. Despite our best efforts to destroy her, the ocean keeps going. It is surviving when it should be thriving, but it will keep going.











I have always had a special connection to the ocean and don’t actually remember not being in complete awe of its vastness and the wonders that lie beneath the surface. I spent my childhood on the rocky coastline of Maine and had to be dragged out of the water with blue lips on every trip the beach. I spent hours hunched over tide pools discovering new critters and longing to slip into their world. I was also the kid that explained to other kids why they should not take crabs, starfish or still live sand dollars home.

I filled buckets and buckets with seashells and caused the car to smell like low tide on more than one occasion. At the age of 5 I discovered a giant clam shell in my grandparents garage. This mysterious monstrosity was an item from an estate auction they had purchased for their antique shop. I remember telling my mom that someday I was going to see a giant clam alive! I am happy to report that at the age of 25, I saw my first giant clam on the Great Barrier Reef and squealed with delight.
Whenever life has been tough or I have needed a quiet escape, the ocean has been a sanctuary. The ocean brings a sense of calm when life is insane. I can always put my toes in the water and know that everything will be all right. I cannot begin to explain what it is, but I know that it never fails.

The ocean is raw, wild, unpredictable, calm, mysterious and vast. It always reminds how small we really are in this life and how important the greater picture it. The oceans, whether you live in a landlocked area or on the coast, are vital for our survival. World Oceans Day is one single day, but in reality we need to celebrate, protect and preserve our oceans every single day. We cannot continue to treat them as an endless resource of goods or a giant trashcan.






I have turned that awe into a career that is primarily based around the ocean. I have created a life that allows me to spend most of my time on or in the water. Every person I can reach through photos, video or educational programs, is one more ocean advocate that joins the team. We are all in this together. Whatever groups you support or join, at the end of the day we are all fighting for the same goal; healthy oceans across the globe.

Go for a swim in the sea, go snorkeling, share a photo of the ocean, talk to friends or family members about what you love the ocean. Every little bit does make a difference. There is always hope even if sometimes it doesn’t seem like it is making a difference.

Conservation Questions? Just Ask!

I am really excited to be a part of the Crystal Clear Apnea family. As an avid freediver, this is a very informative site. I am looking forward to answering a lot of great ocean conservation questions.

ASK ME

Oceanicallstars Wild Dolphin & Shark Freediving Encounter

WILD DOLPHIN & SHARK FREEDIVING ENCOUNTER 2012
August 12-17, 2012
Bimini, The Bahamas
$1800.00 US
12 Spaces


The dolphin grounds off the coast of Bimini in the Bahamas are home to a natural aggregation of Atlantic Spotted & Bottlenose dolphins. Spend hours in the water and interact with these curious and playful creatures. Spend a day at Bimini’s own Stingray City and explore pristine reefs.
Duncan & Jillian are marine biologists that have spent thousands of hours in the water with sharks and dolphins. Let them share this amazing underwater world with you. This adventure will include UW photo & video, dolphin and shark conservation seminars .The emphasis of this trip is ocean conservation and will also include a reef shark snorkel and visit to the world renowned Bimini Biological Field Station ( Sharklab).

TRIP ITINERARY

August 11: Guests fly to Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Stay the night.
August 12: Guests Fly from Fort Lauderdale to Bimini ( Morning flight on Pioneer Airline )
Guests join boat mid day. Boat orientation
Sharklab afternoon. Guest get gear fitted
Evening dolphin conservation seminar

August 13: Full day of dolphins
Evening shark conservation Seminar
August 14: Full day of dolphins and reef shark snorkel
Evening Underwater Photo & Video Seminar
August 15: Coral reef snorkel, Gulf Stream freediving & Stingray encounter
Evening discussion about ocean conservation and what people can do
August 16: Full Day of Dolphins
August 17: Guests watch trip video and depart vessel mid day

This is a tentative schedule that may be adjusted due to weather *
This is a freediving trip. No scuba. **
No snorkeling experience necessary ***
This is a liveaboard trip ****

Includes:
Ensuite room aboard the M/V Indigo
Freediving mask, fins & snorkel
Weights & weight belts
3 meals a day plus snacks( vegan & vegetarian available)*
Underwater Photo/Video & Ocean Conservation Seminars
Sharklab Tour

Not Included:
Roundtrip Flight to Bimini ( Pioneer Air around $250 US roundtrip)
Hotel in Fort Lauderdale ( special rate available)
*Meal on the island ( evening on shore)
Donation for Sharklab tour ( $10 is suggested)
Alcoholic beverages or soda
Bahamas departure tax ( $20 US)


MEET THE CREW:

Duncan Brake:



Duncan has traveled, photographed and filmed, extensively throughout the world, from fighting bull elephant seals on the Antarctic Island of South Georgia to 4m tiger sharks in the crystal blue waters off Grand Bahama. After graduating in Marine Biology from Stirling University in Scotland, Duncan combined his passion for photography and film with his love for the ocean. He spent a couple of years in Scotland, studying, photographing and filming the fresh water habitats before learning the art of underwater film while working at The Underwater Centre in Fort Williams.

He then braved the elements of the South Atlantic for 3 years working from the Falkland Islands down to Antarctica, as a marine biologist and freelance cameraman. Duncan then defrosted by venturing up to work as the Media Operations manager and assistant lab manager for the world renowned Bimini Biological Field Station, Shark Lab, where he gained thousands of hours of experience in the water working with, photographing and filming sharks in their natural habitats.

Duncan has filmed for BBC, ESPN, Animal Planet, Discovery and National Geographic. He started the conservation media company OceanicAllstars and is an avid freediver.

Jillian Morris



Jillian has spent thousands of hours in the field working with sharks across the globe. As a researcher she has tagged hundreds of sharks from the pristine waters of the Bahamas to the wilds of northwest Australia. She has also spent hundreds of hours in the water with the wild dolphins of Bimini and graduated from University of New England with a degree in Animal Behavior.
Jillian has been on camera for numerous conservation shorts, television programs and TV pilots. As an active shark conservationist she writes for publications across the globe as well as developing curriculum for shark education programs. She was cited by Shark Diver Magazine as one of the top 5 woman shark conservationists in the world. She was recently featured in Woman’s Adventure Magazine.


As the executive director of OceanicAllstars, she has combined her passion for the ocean and her love of film & photography. Imagery acts as a powerful tool in the fight to educate the public on why our oceans need help. They give people a chance to see what lies beneath the surface, a chance to understand. She has filmed for National Geographic, BBC, E!, ESPN, Discovery and recently returned from filming Animal Planet’s Whale Wars in Antarctica. Jillian is an avid freediver.

For more information or to book your trip please contact oceanicallstarsinfo@gmail.com

**$500.00 Deposit due upon booking. ( Due by June 1, 2012)

Say NO to Shark on the Menu in Florida

info@sharkbitegrille.com

Sharkbite Grille, located in Jupiter, Florida serves shark on it's menu. Jupiter is home to some groundbreaking shark science and it is an horrific irony that a restaurant would even consider serving such a dish. Please take the time to send a letter and express your concern. Draft your own or copy and paste the one I have written below. Change happens in our own backyards and we need to be aware of what is happening in our neighborhoods.



To Whom It May Concern:

I am writing as a concerned consumer in regards to the shark that is offered on your menu. Thousands of people travel to Florida to have wild encounters with these incredible animals and it is a shame that a Florida restaurant would serve them on their menu. Sharks are crucial for the survival of our oceans and many species are now protected in Florida waters. The waters off Jupiter are home to a groundbreaking study site, where numerous universities and organizations are learning vital information about these animals. Sharks also have extremely high mercury contents, which can cause serious health risks. Please rethink your choice to serve this on your menu and ask yourselves if it is really worth it.

Cheers,