Sharks Bring The Community Together in Bimini

On Wednesday October 17, students from the Louise McDonald High School on North Bimini got the chance to get up close and personal with some pretty “fin,” tastic animals.
Bimini is home to the world-renowned Bimini Biological Field Station (Sharklab), founded by Dr. Samuel Gruber in 1990, and a diverse population of sharks in the waters that surround these, ”Islands in the Stream.” Just over a year ago a 243,244 square mile Shark Sanctuary was established in the Bahamas and it is crucial for this next generation to know what is in their own backyard and why it is worth protecting.

Grant Johnston and Katie Grudecki, Co-Directors of the Bimini Sands Activity Center, joined the staff and volunteers at the Sharklab to create a day of science and hands on experience for the local students. Activities included a presentation about the indigenous Bimini boa and ocean critters, snorkeling and a mock tagging workup of a juvenile shark.

Although sharks were the focal point of the day, there was also an emphasis on terrestrial and marine conservation issues. Katie and Grant spent time introducing the students to the Bimini boa, a rare snake found only on the two islands of Bimini. Habitat destruction that impacts the ocean has also affected these animals. It is important to understand the system as a whole and realize that everything is connected.

Lab managers Lindsey Biermann, Michael Timm and TJ Ostendorf took groups by boat out to the Sharklab pens were they got to snorkel with Southern stingrays, juvenile lemon sharks and juvenile nurse sharks. The pens are used for research and provide the perfect space for kids to get to know sharks. This was definitely the most exciting activity with lots of laughter echoing over the water.

Sharklab director Dr. Tristan Guttridge and lab manager Jill Brooks explained the life history traits of sharks and demonstrated shark tagging and workup. Students were able to learn about sharks and some of the ways they are studied. This was a great forum for questions and there was no shortage of excitement at this station, especially with the opportunity to hold a juvenile nurse shark. . The kids were a bit timid at first, but their massive smiles overshadowed any fears or doubts they had. Having a connection with something that small, and dare I say, “cute,” is a great way to break the stereotypes that surround sharks.

"Everyone at the shark lab was thrilled to be able teach local school students about our research and showcase Bimini's marine and terrestrial fauna and flora. The students were enthusiastic, engaging and fun to work with making it a rewarding experience for the shark lab team! We hope to have many more open days in the future,” Dr Guttridge had to say about the day.

For many of the students, this was their first opportunity to see a shark up close with the highlight for most being the chance to actually hold a shark. Sharks are vital for the islands of the Bahamas and it is necessary for children and the community to understand the importance of their place in the ocean ecosystem. It is amazing thing to see local businesses, the Sharklab and the community come together on behalf of sharks, the oceans and the island.

"Bimini Sands is always excited to participate in community projects, and it was great working with the BBFS team on this one. The students were so enthusiastic and eager to learn which made the day quite rewarding for all of us involved, ” Katie Grudecki said as she described the day.

I was fortunate enough to get to photograph one of the stations and the smiles on the students' faces were amazing. I love that energy and excitement that kids cannot possibly hide. They laughed, giggled and asked some great questions as Tristan and Jill showed them the baby sharks. Having the small sharks available for these kind of events is so important. Seeing a small shark that is cute can crush a lot of the man-eater and monster stereotypes that surround sharks. Really an awesome day and I can't wait for the next one!

The Bimini Biological Field Station will be offering more open days to the community in the future and if you are visiting the island make sure you book your lab tour! For more information about the Sharklab and the work that is being done there, check out. Sharklab

Shark Conservation Education and Outreach is Wicked Good in Maine

I was very fortunate to grow up around the water and with parents that cared about the environment. My mom never let me have the cool snack packages, but rather she got things in bulk and put them in Tupperware. I was a bit annoyed at the time because my friends all had the cool snacks, but it instilled the lesson of what we as individuals can do to help our environment.
Today my mom has continued her journey as an environmentalist teaching 6th graders about sharks and shark conservation. She has shared a real life research project that students can study from and has even spent 2 weeks tagging sharks in Australia. This is her own initiative that she has taken above and beyond the standard curriculum.






She always asks if I can speak to her class about sharks and shark conservation. I do not get home often, but when I do I always try to get in. The 6th graders are one of my favorite ages to speak to because they have a base understanding of environmental factors and can critically think about the issues. Many of them are aware of shark finning and I am always pleasantly surprised with the insight they share.



Some people may thinking that showing 11 and 12 year olds an image of dead sharks, bleeding and without their fins is too much, but I think it can be done effectively. Many of these kids have seen Jaws and other “R” rated movies, so they are not shocked. Many, however, cannot believe that this is happening and it catalyzes an instant empathy for the animals. They want to know why people do it and how to stop it. This is the energy and enthusiasm that it will take to make changes in the world.




Duncan and I shared images and video of shark tagging, shark diving and even the birth of baby lemon sharks. We also discussed what each of them could do to help the environment. Because they are young, they often feel that there is nothing they can do, but we strive to express that there is so much.



The last class we spoke to had one student that really hit home with me about why I do this. When we were talking about shark fin soup he raised his hand and said that his dad had eaten it a few times and mentioned that it was expensive. In a class full of kids that are ready to attack anyone hurting a shark, this was a bold admittance. It was also the ideal opportunity to reach out to this student and his dad. When we moved on to discuss diving with shark I suggested that he talk to his dad about getting in the water with sharks instead of eating them. He smiled and shook his head in agreement.

I am sure he went home and shared the idea with his dad also explaining that shark fin soup is toxic and destroying our oceans. Now either his dad told him that I don’t know what I am talking about or he actually listened. I am hoping that the second scenario played out and that it fosters a sense of change in his dad. As children we look up to our parents and no matter what we do not seem to question their actions. They are often our heroes and can do no wrong. His father has a chance to be an ocean hero for his son and for the environment.

It is these students and the students that have parents that sport fish for sharks that make speaking in classrooms worth it. Most students may already care about the ocean and already have parents that are involved in conservation or at least not killing or eating sharks. It is the parents that are participating in unsavory activities that are the goal. They are the people I want to reach and going through their son or daughter carries tremendous strength. I remember coming home from school when I was 7 or 8 and seeing a deer hanging in a tree at the house. I am from Maine and deer hunting is very popular, so this was not I new sight for me. This was however, the first time I had seen it at my house. I asked my dad why he killed the deer? My dad still talks about it to this day and describes the look of confusion and sadness on my face. He has not hunted since. Children hold a tremendous weight and they are a crucial element in the push to save our oceans.

I look forward to the next opportunity to be in the classroom and reach even just one student who will make a change.
Thank you to Berwick Academy in South Berwick, Maine for allowing your students the opportunity to experience real life conservation in action and to be apart of it. Thank you to my mom, Susan Morris for always being an environmentalist and making a difference.

For more information on shark conservation presentations please feel free to contact ME