On Friday, August 19, we set out to our research spot in the Everglades with a boat full of eager donor participants. It’s always great to give young children the chance to get up close to sharks and let them formulate their own opinions before being tainted by false information—this trip was a great opportunity to do just this.

In addition to our standard shark surveys, some of our most recent trips have involved the implementation of new methods and technologies. With the academic year in a few days away, the RJ Dunlap program is busy inserting some new graduate research projects into the arsenal.  It’s pretty cool to see so many different projects flowing together at once while we are on the boat.

On the way out, the boat was thoroughly entertained by musical samples from Pearl Jam’s extensive catalogue. With Dr. Hammerschlag on lead vocals and Austin on drums, good sharky vibes must have permeated the boat reverberated into the murky shallows of Everglades National Park.

Soon after, we were pulling in our first shark of the day–none other than a healthy, 8 foot, male Carcharhinus leucas—a bull shark.  Working with these predators seriously never gets old, and it is so humbling to be right on top of an animal so powerful and efficient.  It’s hard to look this animal up and down and not see a perfectly designed creature—I challenge all of you—next time you see a shark up close, try to find an imperfection in design…there really aren’t any.  Anyways, we affixed this shark—later named “Bubbles”—with a SPOT satellite tag. Throughout our entire sat-tag workup, we quantified the shark’s stress levels through behavioral observations, as well as assigning a release condition to gauge the efficiency of our tagging program while promoting shark health.

The day’s impromptu Pearl Jam session must have worked—as we ended up sampling a nice representative range of species including: blacktip, blacknose, nurse and lemon sharks.  In addition to our standard sampling scheme (conventional tagging, measurements, biopsy), we also sampled and analyzed blood and gauged behavior (for stress physiology research) of these sharks.

In addition to the satellite tags and portable blood analyzers, we just began implementing more technology gear—underwater video systems—into our research program. The small cameras we use offer several advantages (size, durability, etc.) to our researchers. Our camera rigs allow for some interesting comparative work in conjunction with our standardized surveys, as well as using them to get unobstructed estimations of community structure and predator/prey interactions.

We also have some interesting novel applications of these cameras, which are evolving as we speak. After a few months of ironing out details and losing cameras (depressing), we have refined our methods with the camera systems …I can honestly say that we have already captured some pretty useful data and some really awesome predator behaviors…stay tuned to the RJD media pages for future updates.

Austin G.

Research Assistant

July 15^th, 2010 (All photos taken and credited to: Terry Gibson)

The day after my birthday, a mere 27years old, still young and spunky at 5:00 am, I was ready to drive to the keys and do some shark tagging!  Normally, I wake up around 4:30 am and drive down myself; a very lonely drive and you begin to talk to yourself, probably not healthy:) However, today I had the pleasure of riding down with Terry Gibson, an experienced fisherman, esteemed writer, and ocean conservationist, a great mix if you ask me! Terry is working with the greatest names in the conservation and fishing world, namely, Florida Sportsman, PEW, Ocean Conservancy, and Outdoor Life Magazine.  Terry decided to join us because Outdoor Life Magazine wanted him to get the scoop on what the RJ Dunlap Program has been up too and a photo gallery to go along with it!  Throughout the day, Terry asked some important questions on the program and took some amazing pictures.  It was important for Terry to come out and see that there are anglers working directly with scientists, achieving similar goals and maximizing brainpower, otherwise known as collaborative efforts.  This example of course would be Dr. Neil Hammerschlag and Captain Curt Slonim, who with out each other would never achieve the same results.

Cooperative research between fisherman and scientists is essential to collecting data on the economic and social impact of fisheries, restoring habitats, helping reduce by-catch through group innovations, and improve recreational fishing data through angler action programs.  For the RJ Dunlap Program, the combined efforts of angler and scientist have helped collect data on large coastal sharks in the State of Florida that is essential to their enhanced protection and improved fisheries management.  This working relationship between angler and scientist should be replicated across global fisheries and research facilities and could be if the Coastal Jobs Creation Act goes through.  Check out the link and find out how you can support giving fish a break but allowing fisherman to keep working and help rebuild depleted fish stocks.

On to the trip!  The day started out normal, getting gear on the boat, chatting away to everyone I hadn’t seen in awhile, due to an overwhelming amount of schoolwork!  Captain Curt looked at me and said, “Brendal, we need more of your hair”.  You may be asking yourself, why would anyone want my hair?  Long story short, Captain Curt and Dr. Hammerschlag believe that my hair is good luck for catching Great Hammerheads.  Since I started my internship with the RJ Dunlap over a year ago, almost every trip and I do mean almost every, we have caught one or more Great Hammerheads.  So, Captain Curt proceeded to cut a piece of my hair without me knowing and let’s just say he has never cut hair before.  I went to the bathroom to take a look at his handy work, and well I had a nice chunk missing and looked like a devil child. I suppose it gives me character.  By the way, I have received a new shark tattoo, so I can literally wear my heart on my sleeve, a great hammerhead of course!

I was not upset in the least though, because I do what I can for the program, even if it means losing a big section of my hair:) Guess what, it worked!  We did catch a hammerhead that day and named her Sandy.  She got a satellite tag and swam away in great condition.  Also that day we caught, two lemon sharks, a blacktip, and a nurse shark.  A good variety of apex predators can put a smile on everyone’s face.

In addition to Terry being on the boat, we had another group of kids from Miami Science IMPACT program.  Let me tell you something about these kids, they rock!  I mean they are so excited to be out there, learning about sharks, let alone see and tag one! My passion is this, giving kids an opportunity to be apart of field work and letting them see that just a few people can change the world, or at least help save sharks. They had a great time and they put in a lot of effort and got the job done, thank you so much guys!

This may be one of the last blogs I personally write for the program, at least for awhile since at the end of August I will be leaving for one year to complete a Master’s Degree in Marine Resource Management from Dalhousie University, in Nova Scotia.  However, I will still continue to maintain the blog site for all other sharky interns..  It has been an absolute pleasure to work with these people; everyone involved really shows their dedication to science and conservation. GO TEAM GO! Can’t wait to come back one day soon.

All my sharky love,

Brendal Davis (Shark Program Intern)

July 13, 2010

I usually do not like morning radio shows.  Seriously, I just want some music to keep me awake on my drive to the Keys.  However, this morning was different.  One of the radio stations was reading horoscopes.  When they got to mine, Aries, they predicted a day full of adventure and ranked it a 10.  I am not usually one to buy into all of that, but take luck where I can get it on days on the water with the shark team.  When I arrived at the Keys Marine Lab to set up for the next four days I shared news of my good fortune with Fiona, another shark intern on the trip.  I then found out Fiona is a Scorpio, the only other horoscope with a 10 day.  We expected nothing less than an exceptionally awesome day out on the water.

We loaded the gear, ran through the checklist and headed out on the water.  Even at 9:00am the sun was beating down intensely and there was no breeze to speak of to cool things down.  Getting the boat moving and “turning on the air conditioning” was welcomed even more than usual.  We had students from the always-wonderful South Broward High School helping out for the day.  Many of them had been out with us before so setting out all 10 drumlines, 4 baitcages, 3 fishtraps and reading water quality data from the YSI was a fairly quick process.

As we moved away from our lines to allow them to soak in peace, the crystal clear waters of Florida Bay called out to us.  Although this point of the day is usually lunchtime, most of us were hot and sweaty so opted to delay eating to go for a swim.  The still, hot air made even the lukewarm seawater very refreshing.

As we headed back to our lines, Fiona and I reminded everyone we were supposed to be having “10” days and that our catch expectations were high.  The kids shared in our enthusiasm and, with Dom’s fabulous cheerleading, began cheers for hammerheads, tigers and bulls.

The first shark on the line was a large nurse shark.  Although these animals are typically docile when you run into them on a snorkel or a dive, when you get them on a line they are quite frisky.  To make things less stressful on the animals and on us, Captain Curt threw on a mask and fins and got in the water to collect the data once the “business end” of the shark was secure.  We sampled several more nurse sharks throughout the day, each one seemingly larger than the previous, topping the charts for the day at eight feet.

It was at line number six that the day took an incredible turn.  Captain Curt later told us he was pretty sure he knew what was on the line when he hooked the buoy from the bow.  However, he said he didn’t let on because he didn’t want to get our hopes up, just in case.  Luckily, he was right!  As we pulled in the line the beautiful and unmistakable coloration of a tiger shark approached the surface.  He lay fairly still, almost as though he were posing for us, until he got to the side of the boat.  It was then that he showed us the incredible power of his species and proved to be tough to wrangle onto the boat.  After the data was collected, the 215 cm (7 foot) shark was released in wonderful condition leaving behind only minor shark burn on Dom’s legs and arms.  Although a prime target species for one of our SPOT satellite tags, he was just slightly too small to place one.  Nonetheless, absolutely the highlight of the day!

The lines started coming in quickly as a couple of South Broward guys, self-named “Team Awesome,” made it their mission to accomplish everything not only quickly, but efficiently as well.  They, along with their classmates, pulled in six more sharks for a total of 10 for the day.  That is a 50% catch rate, which is basically unheard of!  Way to go!  Guess that explains Fiona’s and my 10 day!  The stars were definitely aligned in our favor!

Thank you to our interns and crew and of course to the students from South Broward.  Oh, and thank you to Fiona’s and my parents for ensuring our birthdays fell during the right zodiac. 😉

Until next time,

Rachael Kraemer (Shark Intern)

28 June, 2010

At first rise it seemed as though we would be in for some rain; however, we checked the weather report and realized it would all blow over.  With this knowledge we set out with all gear to meet up with a new batch of high school students from the South Florida Urban Ministries (SFLUM) program.  They are a dynamic non-profit organization that empowers people to move from poverty to prosperity through holistic youth development, small business development and hunger relief ministries in South Florida. We had the pleasure of taking 8 students and 2 chaperon’s with us this time.  We went through a quick briefing, signed everyone in, and got everyone excited for the day to come. Then we went through the checklist and made sure all the gear was accounted for, gathered up the bait, called in the permits, and were on our way.

We set out once again from Keys Marine Lab and headed to our site out of Florida Bay a few miles from the Long Key Bridge.  The students were all strapped up with life jackets, as some of them had never been out on the water or on a boat, let alone, knew how to swim or even tag sharks!! Today was a real treat for them, and although they had no clue what the day would bring, they seemed more enthusiastic rather than apprehensive, which was awesome! Upon arrival at our site, we began setting out the drumlines and explaining the gear and procedures.  It seemed to take no time for the students to catch on and before we knew it they were readily volunteering to perform tasks and get involved.  Once we set out all 10 drumlines, 3 fish traps, the camera, and took water/air quality data it was time for lunch, even though it was still 10 in the morning.  We needed to make sure we ate in preparation for the day to come because once we got going there really were no more breaks.  Time becomes crucial for both the consistency of the data and the safety of the marine life.  During soak time, sandwiches were passed out and we went over gear.  Without a shark it is hard to picture everything, so we used hand puppets for visual effects, which got some laughs out of the kids and kept their attention.

On our way back to check our first line, all the students volunteered and were assigned a job.  We pulled up the first few and had no luck, but we placed up our shark signs, sent out good vibes, and finally caught a shark.  It was a 121cm (TL) female blacknose.  The blacknose shark was an experience for the students.  Some people only imagine sharks as these huge scary creatures because they are unaware that they vary in size, depending on the species, and neglect to remember that all mature animals grow from small juveniles.

On the very next line there was a Nurse shark.  It was a 220 cm (TL) male.  Since it was a Nurse shark, we left it in the water and secured it to the side of the boat because of its behavior and size.  We only measured total length, took a fin clip, and inserted a spaghetti tag.  Afterward the students were able to see and feel the shark. Some students were timid only touching the sharks with a finger or two, but gained confidence throughout the day working up to using their entire hand to gain full perspective of what a shark feels like.

On the next drumline there was a 220cm (TL) female Lemon shark.  While we secured the shark on the boat and placed the pump into its mouth the students were ready with the gear.  By this time the students seemed to have the procedure down pat and were ready for experiencing a mature size shark.

As we continued the day, the students were always ready and anxiously hoping for another shark with duties in mind as we pulled up drumline after drumline.  Throughout the day everyone engaged by asking questions: learning not only about sharks, but many conservation issues surrounding the ocean.  Later in the day we caught 2 more male Nurse sharks, both being over 200cm, the largest measuring an estimated total length of 241cm.

In total we were able to catch, collect samples from, tag, and record 5 sharks.  When it was time for the fish traps to come up, the students were ready to catch and count fish.  We set these traps out to see the species diversity as well as abundance.  Today we caught some pinfish, and 1 mutton snapper.

I hope that everyone was able to take away some interesting facts to share with others and were able to learn something they had never known before.  On behalf of the Shark team that day, I would like to thank the SFLUM group.  It was a pleasure to have a group with so much enthusiasm and desire to participate and be engaged.  We hope you all had a great experience and enjoyed the day as well.

Yours,

Leann Winn (Senior Shark Intern)