From Florida to The Bahamas: Sharing Sharks with Students

As we anchored the boat just outside the entrance to the mangrove channel there was a lot of giggling and excitement on the boat. Fueled up with peanut butter and jelly sandwiches (official field work lunch) and chocolate cupcakes, the students were ready for adventure. Duncan and I, along with Jill, Michael and CJ from the Sharklab, were embarking on our epic day in the mangroves.

We warned the students and teachers about the bottom being a little squishy and to be mindful of sea urchins. We lead the charge and checked for critters as we made our way to the entrance. The four female students jumped off the boat, squealed a bit as their toes squished and sunk, but they giggled and charged on. The boys however, were a bit more reluctant. Everyone was en route and they were still on the boat. Finally, after a bit of heckling from their female classmates, the boys made the leap and followed us. They politely insisted, “ ladies first.” Nice to see such young gentlemen- ha!
As we neared the entrance we warned everyone about the center part getting pretty deep. This beautiful tunnel to paradise is about three feet wide and the mangrove branches wrap around it from top to bottom. This adds to the sense of adventure as you swim through like explorers charting a new path. As the water got deeper the giggles returned, but all made it through unscathed.

The tunnel pours into an opening in the mangroves that is truly paradise. This is by far, one of my favorite places in the world. It is wild, untouched and feels as thought you are on a different planet. The only reminder of civilization is the occasional plane passing overhead. It is here where we were going to share with the students and teachers, a beautiful moment with wild baby lemon sharks.

Sharklab manager Jill had made her way up to the spot and put some chum in the water. The baby lemon sharks head up the channel on the high tide to look for food and take shelter. The channel is a dead end, so we hoped that a few sharkies had ventured in and would come looking for a snack. Before too long, the tell tale wake on the surface indicated a shark heading our way. The kids immediately started imitating the, “ Jaws,” impending doom music. We all had a good laugh. The little sharks are always cautious, as you would be with a bunch of potential predators loitering about. Slowly, but surely they came to check us out. The first shark that approached had a green tag, showing it was one of the sharks currently involved in a Sharklab research project.

Finally the shark with the green tag came in for a snack. Word spread quickly and pretty soon we had five sharks cruising around. The excitement level rose as students anxiously waited for their turn to feed a shark. Fear and misunderstanding were replaced with laughter and a little competition to see who could feed the most. As their comfort level increased, the teachers decided to get in on the action. They each nudged their way to the front and shared a moment with the baby sharks. It is an amazing thing to witness people and sharks sharing a simple, but powerful encounter with the capacity to change a person’s entire perception. I watched, in awe, at the beauty of the moment. This is hope for our sharks and hope for our oceans. These little sharks are ambassadors for sharks all over Bimini and the world.

It was hard to say goodbye, but the tide changed and it was our time to go. Every student and teacher had a grin from ear to ear as we swam, stumbled and waded back to the boat. Everyone was glowing from such a unique experience, one most said they never expected to ever have, especially right in their own backyard. I can only hope that these students and their teachers will carry this experience with them and speak on behalf of sharks and how amazing they are.

The following day Duncan and I visited a group of students at the Louise McDonald High School on the north island of Bimini. We wanted to talk to the kids about sharks, their importance and the war built on greed and fear that is being waged against them globally. We also wanted to emphasize the standard for shark conservation Bimini is setting as part of the Bahamas Shark Sanctuary, Shark Free Marinas and a proposed Marine Protected Area. These students have a voice and they are a part of something that is making a difference for sharks. It is crucial for them to understand the value of the role they play and can continue to play on behalf of these amazing animals.

Earlier in the week we visited a group of first graders at the St Jerome school in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. My mom’s godson is seven, and like many 7-year-old boys, he has a healthy curiosity about sharks. We made arrangements to visit his class and it was a blast. First graders are one of my favorite ages to work with because they are excited, curious and manage to ask some pretty cool questions. They know more than one would expect, but so are so open to facts and positive information about sharks.

Whether is it high school students or first graders, the message is the same. Each one of us has a voice and the ability to help sharks. We can and should take action as a single part of something that impacts our entire planet. Without sharks there will be no oceans. Kids are the hope for sharks and the hope for our oceans.

Thank you to the St Jerome School, The Bimini Biological Field Station ( Sharklab) Ulf Marquardt, The Louise McDonald High School and Miss Lisa Wallace for making these incredible days a reality.

Save the Mangroves of Bimini

Mangrove forests are one of the most beautiful and diverse ecosystems on the planet. In Bimini, above and below the surface they provide food and shelter for birds, snakes, fish, sharks, lobster and conch. They provide a vital nursery area for juvenile animals and habitat for numerous other threatened species. Mangroves also stand solid against the wrath of Mother Nature, holding strong when hurricanes ravage and destroy areas. The mangroves in Bimini are facing an enemy that they cannot stand strong against: human greed.

There are those people fighting to protect this precious natural wonder though and they are pushing for the establishment of a marine protected area. Although it was discussed as early as 2009, there has been no movement is establishing parameters or enforcing the area.

Below are three videos from a town meeting held in 2009. The MPA is discussed and shown to exist, but in 2012 there is still nothing solid in place. For more information or to find out how you can help, please check out the Bimini MPA Page.

Conservation is for Everyone

Every time I scroll through my social media pages, I am bombarded with problems that face our amazing planet and the petitions that are trying to help. My heart lies with protecting sharks and our oceans, but I am sympathetic to all the other issues. It is overwhelming though, when looking at how many problems there really are. It is difficult to be hopeful and not just throw in the towel. I honestly believe that people are good and that we can, and are making a difference. I see this when a 9 year old tells me how much they love sharks or an 11 year old shares with me the letter he wrote to a cruise ship company asking them to stop serving shark. There is hope and it is in each and every one of us.

I spoke to nine classes of 4th graders on this past Wednesday and aside from shark education we had a discussion about what they could do to help sharks. A lot of the things they are already doing help sharks and they were excited to find this out. I encouraged them to speak up and share their ideas, ask questions and know that they have a voice, even thought they are young. The world seems massive as an adult and for a child it is really incomprehensible. I want kids to know that they matter and they are more powerful than they realize. Whether it is the bottle they bring to school for water instead of buying a plastic one or the influence they have on their parents purchasing, it all matters.

Kids are raw and real without the Cynicism that inflicts all of us as we age. They are yet to be burdened with the ever-present stress that can kill off our sense of hope and creativity. They have unbridled passion, empathy and compassion that really can and will change the world. This energy gives me hope and drives my continued push to save sharks and our oceans.

Adults can learn a lot from kids and should look to them for a bit of inspiration. Kids keep it simple and go all in. As adults we tend to over complicate and hesitate, often stifling our own ability to create and do. Many adults ask me what they can do for sharks if they are not a diver, biologist or expert. The list is too long to mention, but I always emphasize keeping it simple and to realize that small steps are powerful tools. You do not need to be an expert; you just need an idea and some heart.
I had a woman write to me and ask if making shark cupcakes and selling at a craft sale was silly. She wanted to take the money she made and donate it. Definitely not silly, pretty cool idea if you ask me. I had another man who loves diving and wanted to share this passion on hobby night at his daughter’s school. He had some pictures and video, but reached out to myself and other shark conservationists for materials and ideas. Catalyzed by his own love, he was able to create a table of shark info and reach a lot of people that had no idea about sharks or diving. This took a little bit of time and effort, something everyone can do.

I wish that I could visit classrooms every week, but my schedule just does not allow it, plus I need to pay my bills. Because of this I encourage others to make a visit to a local school. The kids will love it! They will not care that you are not an expert; they will notice the person that took time to talk to them and share something they are passionate about. If not a school then a church group, book group, cooking group or scout group. The options are endless. Everyone has it in them to be a conservation minded individual and everyone should.

If you are interested in doing a shark presentation please email me for materials, guidelines and information. sharkyjillian@gmail.com

Best Fishes,

Sharky Jillian

Great Works School: Great for Sharks

I love visiting schools in random places to talk to kids about sharks, but it is always special walking the halls of schools I attended as a child. The Great Works School in South Berwick, Maine was the junior high when I attended, so things have changed a little bit.

On this visit I spoke to nine classes of 4th graders, broken into 5 groups. I have an outline with images, but I love how each presentation varies based on questions the students have and what they are interested in. I want to give them facts, but I also want to listen to what they have to say. Children, although small, have amazing questions and a lot to say when we actually listen. I challenged each group to name more sharks than the last and each one rose to the occasion. They get so excited. I think cookie cutter and goblin shark are always my favorites. Nice to see they know more than the standard answers.

We talked about shark parts, shark myths and why our oceans need sharks. Many of the students had their own stories about sharks and a few had been lucky enough to see one or two. I am sure they will get some strange looks from parents when they go and say to their parents, “ the shark girl that talked to us today said I should swim with sharks.” It is true. No matter how old or young, swimming with sharks is something everyone should do! No, a 9 year old probably won’t go to South Africa to cage dive, but they could go for a snorkel and check out some nurse sharks. This is the great thing about sharks and swimming with them, there are so many options and opportunities.

At this age, any fear and misconceived notions they have from sharks have come either from their parents or television. It is still possible though, to break through that loosely established knowledge base and shape is with fact and empathy. This ability to generate a new perception is why working with children is vital for our oceans.

The highlight was how many great ideas the students had when I asked them what they could do to help sharks. A lot of the ideas, like picking up trash on the beach, are things they already do, but they had not ever thought about how it might help sharks. It is important for them to see how things connect and that helping the planet is definitely something they can do. It makes them feel important and have pride in the fact that they do make a difference.

Thank you to Pamela Starkey for making this happen and to the Great Works School for caring about sharks.

Hurricane Sandy

“Sandy, Sandy, why-yi-yi-yi-yi. Oh Sandy”

What do you do when a hurricane knocks the power out for a while? Obviously you climb the highest point you can find and get blasted with sand, wind and water. We made our ascent up Mt. Bimini, a 131 ft high pile of sand that has been dredged from the channel, and triumphantly stood at the top. I know the height because our sense of adventure attracted a passerby with an iphone that had an app for that. Our group of thrill seekers (boredom makes you do crazy things) included Duncan and I, our German producer friend that got stranded on the island and Grant, a former Sharklab manager. I highly recommend eye protection if you attempt this. As I write this there is no doubt still sand stuck under my eyelids and in every orifice on my body. I could have erected a sand castle with the amount of sand that I washed out of my hair and ears alone.

We arrived at the top with wobbly legs and an exhilarating sense of accomplishment; a similar feeling I am sure to those that summit Kilimanjaro or Everest. Ha! We had 4 cameras and did our best to capture the moment as well as each other falling down and getting pelted with sand. The view was beautiful and we will definitely make the climb in better weather. Video will be posted soon.

For two days we watched as boats moved into the marina at the Bimini Sands, a great hurricane hole. We gathered water, food and candles in preparation for the expected power outage. We made a quick cross to the north island on Thursday for supplies before the ferry stopped running. Supplies included beer and wine. UI laughed when my dad said, “ don’t you get all your supplies and once you are ready start drinking?” Yes, there is some drinking involved. Activities are limited and the bar is a great place to gather and get the latest gossip, plus they have a generator. We had a producer friend on island and his flight was cancelled because the airport on Bimini, like most in the Bahamas was shut down. Duncan and I have been through a few hurricanes, but this was our friend’s first and our first as a couple. How romantic?

We geared up and ventured out a few times to check out the island. A lot of people were out doing the same thing and the bar was quite busy as we waited for Sandy to give us her best shot. Sideways rain and splattering clay made the ride home quite an adventure. Gusts of wind nearly stopped our trusty golf cart in her tracks. I do love having all the doors and windows open though, not having to use the air conditioner. We broke out the cameras to film and snap pictures of the waves crashing against various areas on the island. Spray flew in the air as 10 to 15 foot swells charged the shore.

Sandy strengthened from a tropical storm to a category 2 hurricane and then dropped again before hitting our little island home with gusts up to 65mph as a category 1. Coconuts flew, palm fronds were shredded and Australian pines disintegrated. Many a lawn chair and gutter met their demise. The power went off for a bit on Saturday, but we managed to hold onto for most of the day. It finally went off on Sunday, but was only out for 13 hours. The wind was still relentless after the heart of the storm had passed and switched directions. The sheltered side of the island is still getting pounded. The channel markers that sit almost a mile off shore are now rapidly approaching the beach about a half- mile south of their designated location. Mother nature is raw and wild. Amazing to witness when you are safe and have shelter.

When the power finally gave way for the day and seemed like it might be out for a while we broke out the gas camping stove and candles for a romantic dinner. Our producer had made a flight off island and the winds had receded a bit, but the power was shut down to do repairs. I cooked a lovely couscous with veggies and tomato sauce. It was certainly nothing gourmet, but fairly impressive considering the situation.
The world is getting back to normal as Bimini relaxes on a Sunday and Sandy moves towards the Eastern United States coastline. She has been dubbed, “Frankenstorm,” due to her expected Halloween arrival. Hurricanes are no joke, but I am glad we know we can deal with them on our little island. People came together to check on boats, houses and make sure everyone was okay. It is scary, but also exciting to watch the power of the ocean.

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

West Side Representing: A Sharky School Visit

The West End of Grand Bahama Island is a far cry from the hustle and bustle of the island’s major city-Freeport. Stacks of empty conch shells line the streets and potcakes dart around looking for a meal. The golden hour light drips over tiny fishing boats that have put in thousands of hours at sea; remodeled with the ingenuity of survival. Visitors to the island often overlook this community because it is not a cruise ship port of call, nor does it have a casino or square lined with shops and restaurants. West End, however, is the gateway to one of my favorite places on the planet-Tiger Beach.

Like many exotic dive destinations, the regular visitors are not from the local communities, but like myself, they travel thousands of miles to witness the natural wonders that lay in wait below the surface. There is no other place like Tiger Beach on the planet and everyone should put it on their, ”bucket list,” whether you are a certified diver or not. In all of my visits to the island, which number in the dozens no doubt, I had yet to visit one of the local schools. Inspired by the recent visits I did at schools in Maine, I decided that this had to change. I set about organizing a day and a time for Duncan and I to talk to the kids at the West End Primary about sharks.

The Bahamas has established a Shark Sanctuary thanks to the tireless efforts of many people and organizations, but it is the children of the Bahamas that will help ensure that sharks are a part of the future of the islands. Tiger Beach is in their back yard and I wanted the opportunity to share with them this amazing place and let them know that each and everyone of them could and should pay it a visit.
As Duncan and I walked through the door we were greeted with a dozen smiling faces. A young man took my bags for me and everyone was bouncing in their chairs. As we got the computer set with fingers crossed that it would project, more kids filed into the room with their chairs. Here I am, standing in front of 45 kids that will make a difference. They are the voice for our oceans. My shark talks are very interactive because I want the kids to know they have a voice and begin using it. I encourage questions and do my best to get to everyone. We talked about sharks, what they are and what they do and then I spent some time talking about Tiger Beach. I finished the hour talking about what they can do to help sharks and why sharks are so important to the Bahamas.

A lot of these kids have probably watched as tourists head out on boats to explore the pristine waters that surround their island, but I emphasized that they can do that too.

This presentation was emotional for me because I saw so much strength in these kids despite a lot of hard ships they have no doubt faced. The school is small and the desks are not lined with ipads or iphones. Technology or not these kids have heart and that will make a difference. They have the capacity to love and fight for the survival of their oceans. Our oceans.

Thanks West End Primary! I look forward to our next visit!

BAHAMAS WEEKLY