Sharks4Kids Dutch Caribbean Shark Education Tour: Sint Eustatius

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Our Dutch Caribbean Sharks4Kids Shark Education Tour kicked off on the beautiful island of Sint Eustatius (Statia). Statia is rich in history and packs a lot of punch for a little island! We hit the ground running, presenting at the Caribbean Netherlands Science Institute Science Café. This is a monthly event, but they added a bonus presentation to coordinate with our visit. Duncan and I talked about the role of media and science in shark conservation. We had a much larger crowd than expected and thoroughly enjoyed the conversations that followed our presentation. It was clear from the minute we arrived; Statia has some shark lovers! Our hosts for this portion of our shark tour were Marine Park Manager Jessica Berkel and STENAPA (Sint Eustatius National Parks) education director Clair Blair. Both women went above and beyond to make the most of our short trip. 

Our next day started early, as we had a busy schedule of school visits organized by Clair, who escorted us to each and every place. Although she heard our talks a dozen times, not once did she seem uninterested. We really cannot thank her enough for her support! It is easy to see she absolutely loves working with the children and her enthusiasm is contagious, easily seen in the energy and excitement emanating students she works with.

The first morning we visited both Golden Rock Roman Catholic School and Bethel Methodist School speaking to students in grades 1-6. We were impressed with their knowledge of sharks and excitement to ask us questions. We discussed what makes a shark a shark, why they are important, how we learn about sharks, shark sanctuaries and how the students can continue to do even more to save these amazing animals. 

Naming Shark Species at the Golden Rock School

We are originally scheduled to visit the island during their “Shark Week,” in August, but hurricane Erika changed our plans. During the week the students participated in LOTS of sharky activities and events. A coloring contest was hosted and we were lucky enough to be there with Claire as she awarded the prizes. There were some really great coloring sheets and artwork created by the kids and we were excited to see Shark Stanley make an appearance! 

In the afternoon we visited the incredible Mega D Youth Foundation, an afterschool program developed by reggae star Mega D. This is an incredible program, which incorporates older students mentoring the younger kids. The students were eager to ask questions and we really enjoyed seeing all the opportunities this program is offering the kids of the island. 

 

Our luggage, containing our stuffed shark and Duncan’s shark suit arrived the next day, so the first schools missed out on Mr. Shark, but day 2 he was a crowd favorite. It makes my heart happy to see kids so excited about hi-fiving and saying hi to the shark! Not an action figure or celebrity, but he was definitely a super hero for the day. We had a busy morning visiting the 2 other primary schools on the island, Lynch Plantation Seventh Day Adventist School and Governor de Graaf School. The SDA school provided us with the most beautiful classroom we’ve ever been in; open air and a breathtaking view. Once again we were amazed by the excitement and the great questions! These students are doing their part to save sharks. 

Our final presentations were at the Governor de Graaf School and they really ended our trip on a high note. We definitely have some future marine biologists in the group and some shark divers! We loved the questions, the artwork, the hugs and the positive shark vibes. This was a great way to finish our brief, but amazing visit. 

As a person who lives on a rock (island), the culture and community on other rocks I visit always fascinate me and Statia definitely intrigued me. I cannot wait to return to this beautiful Caribbean gem.  Claire gave us a bit of a hi-speed tour while we ate sandwiches before heading to the airport to catch our flight back to Sint Maarten. 

Duncan and I at Fort Oranje

 

Duncan and I at Fort de Windt with St. Kitts in the distance

Special thanks to Claire and Jessica for all their work in coordinating the visit and to the wonderful students, teachers and people of Sint Eustatius! We will be back! Shark Week 2016!

 

Shark Sunday: Caribbean Reef Shark Encounter

There is a popular dive site here in Bimini frequented by not only the Bimini Biological Field Station ( Sharklab) for research and education, but also by local dive and eco tour operators. My first visit to the site was in 2004 while working on a research vessel that was visiting Bimini and I have been there dozens of times since; I am happy to report that it never gets old and you never know what you will see.

The usual stars are Caribbean reef sharks with anywhere from 2 to 20 making an appearance. Like any site frequented regularly, you start to recognize specific animals and I am always happy when old regulars show up.

Although the Bahamas is a shark sanctuary, we have seen people and fishing gear on this site with sharks as their targeted species.

The Bahamas Shark Sanctuary Approximately 243,244 square miles

Shark Fishing Gear Left Near Dive Site

Caribbean Reef Shark with a Hook Scar on the Mouth

It had been about a month since Duncan and I visited the site, so with a beautiful day before us we headed out. As soon as we anchored up a single shark finned at the surface. We threw a few pieces of bait in and very quickly we had 4 sharks. We geared up, got the cameras ready and slipped in.

Happiness! Who Needs Diamonds?! Sharks are a Girl's Best Friend

The water was crystal clear and the sunlight danced in ripples on the gray skin of the sharks; I absolutely love days like this. We spent over an hour in the water diving down and holding our breath, being as much part of their world as we could for a brief amount of time. The ocean is quiet place and I love lying on the bottom and just watching. I love sharks, if you hadn’t already guessed, but watching them never ceases to amaze me. Lost in the moment, my body reminded me that I am a land animal and must return to the surface.

Duncan Filming Caribbean Reef Sharks 

Freediving Shark Selfie

Throughout the Bahamas Caribbean sharks dives and snorkels draw divers, film crews and shark aficionados from around the world. These sharks are also responsible for educating thousands of people and changing fear into fascination and respect. Five minutes is all it takes to create a new perception and shark eco-tourism throughout the Bahamas has not only been good for the economy, but good for the sharks that swim around these islands.

We ended our dive and got back on the boat. I threw in some of the last scraps of bait and chatted with the sharks, as I always do. Duncan giggled, like he always does, amused by running commentary. I absolutely love being around these remarkable creatures.

Shark Geeks! Loving The Gorgeous Day!

I am a huge proponent of getting in the water and having your own shark experience, so if you find yourself in the Bahamas or somewhere offering a shark encounter, I encourage you to dive in! If you are in Bimini check out the Sharklab's Research Experience , Bimini Sands for shark snorkels or the Bimini Scuba Center for scuba diving trips.

Why Are We Teaching Kids to Kill Sharks?

My last blog highlighted a 12 year old boy that is speaking up on behalf of sharks; this blog is about encountering two different boys on the same day that were attempting to harass or kill a shark. We were able to stop one and actually get the whole group excited about sharks. It is amazing the impact that just five minutes of education can have.

On Sunday I was out boating with some friends just off West End Grand Bahama and we stopped at a small cay to enjoy the view and chat with some other boaters. Some guys were fishing in the flats and we really didn’t think anything of it. Our friend had mentioned that they see black tip sharks and nurse sharks out there, so we were hoping to get a glimpse. There were hound fish around, but not much else. We soon learned that they were catching hound fish to use for shark fishing bait. As this conversation started, Duncan and I were standing out in the water enjoying a good wallow and avoiding the army of mosquitoes. I was thrilled to overhear my friend, now an avid shark advocate and one of my dive students, explain why they should not be catching sharks. He was polite and informative. Duncan and I looked at each other and smiled.

The guy fishing pitched the bait into the water and said we might want to get out. We explained that we are those people that go into the water when someone yells, “shark.” He laughed. We grabbed some of the pieces and started breaking them up, trying to attract in some sharky friends. Within five minutes a good size black tip shark cruised in. The whole group got excited and seemed surprised that were trying to get it closer to us. We watched the shark for about fifteen minutes and then headed to shore. The fisherman explained that he thought sharks were really cool and asked why we loved them so much. I was a little confused, but expressed my love and passion for the ocean. This launched a great conversation with him and his fifteen year old son about sharks, shark diving and filming. The boy asked a lot of great questions and said he was thinking about being a marine biologist, but didn’t want to be stuck in a lab. His dad also said that he had once dreamed of being a marine biologist. You may not be a marine biologist, but anyone can be a shark and ocean advocate. I am hoping that we added a few recruits to the army.

The other kid we encountered was via the Internet and was actually fishing for sharks off the dock of a massive marina on the north island of Bimini; a Shark Free Marina I might add. The photos showed four or five adults around the boy as he hooked an adult lemon and reeled it in. I was so angry when I saw the images. Why put signs up? Why get involved if you do not care to educate the people that are in violation? I have no idea whether they killed the shark or released it, but this action should never have gotten to this point. Why harass animals, whether it is banned or not. What are you proving? What are you teaching your son? Is he a man because he can drag a shark onto the dock? Is he tough? Is he cool? What is the purpose? It is also frustrating that this marina is not upholding the commitment that it publically announced.

As an ambassador and a regional board member for the Shark Free Marina Initiative, I have done a lot of outreach and work in the Bahamas. I have seen first hand the disgusting act of sharks being strung up on the dock. I have witnessed fishermen catching sharks from the docks, only to drag them up and torture them. For some reason throwing a bunch of fish scraps in the water, luring in sharks and then dragging them on the dock to cut out their jaws, is entertaining.

Being a shark free is amazing, but only if you actually enforce it. The staff members at The Bimini Sands Resort and Marina and Old Bahama Bay are very diligent about upholding the commitment and explaining it to those in violation. There is a sense of pride in respecting the ocean environment that surrounds them. There may still be fear and misunderstanding, but the staff members are excited to be apart of something that matters. They are helping to take care of the beautiful ocean that surrounds the islands of the Bahamas.

This group probably did not go visit the Sharklab and learn about the mangroves and why this area is so crucial for the sharks. Maybe if that boy had gotten to touch a juvenile lemon shark he would not have wanted to drag one onto the dock. Maybe the adults wouldn’t have encouraged this unnecessary activity. Maybe if someone had been there to explain Shark Free Marinas, the whole group would have more respect for these animals. There are a lot of, “what ifs,” but education is powerful and we must keep pushing forward with that.