Shark Tagging and BRUV Deployment Field Course with Shark Docs

Shark Docs, led by Dr. Chris Malinowski and Dr. Brendan Talwar, leads field courses in marine conservation research and education. Field courses are the engine behind long-term research initiatives focused on shark abundance, reef fish abundance, and sea turtle biology. Through direct capture of study species using scientific longlines and drumlines, the deployment of baited remote underwater video units (BRUVs), and data collection via roving diver surveys coupled with laser-equipped cameras (SMILE cameras), our field course participants become active researchers collecting data on the abundance, size structure, health, and movements of species of conservation importance. We also introduce students to wild sharks offshore through a safety-oriented shark snorkel, which can involve interactions with numerous species, such as Bull, Sandbar, Lemon, and Caribbean Reef Sharks. Further, we introduce students to sea turtle biology and physiology through ongoing projects such as nesting surveys, hatchling releases, and a behind-the-scenes tour of an active rehab hospital in collaboration with scientists at the Loggerhead Marine Life Center.

Importantly, a core strength of our courses is to not only introduce students to our research process and study species, but also to deliver to students the scientific tools and experience to pursue a career in marine biology and/or actively contribute to marine conservation as citizen scientists. Each student becomes a certified Level 2 Reef Fish Surveyor through our Conservation Partner – the Reef Environmental Education Foundation (REEF) – which allows students to submit reef fish survey data to a globally recognized citizen science dataset. Fundamentally, we seek to train and inspire future biologists using the living laboratories of South Florida’s marine ecosystems.