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Sharks4Kids

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Sharks4Kids

Sharks4KidsOn a recent trip to Bimini, in the Bahamas, we had the chance to meet Jillian and Duncan. They are talented underwater photographers and videographers with a particular passion for sharks. We met on a dive boat, heading out to dive with Great Hammerhead sharks, and chatted about their charity, Sharks4Kids, about shark conservation and our joint passion for shark imagery. We asked Jillian to tell us a little more about what she does.

Tell us about Sharks4Kids. What does it do now and what you hope to be able to achieve in the future?

Sharks4Kids is a US based non-profit with the goal of creating the next generation of shark advocates through education, outreach and adventure. Founded by a team of marine biologists, videographers and photographers, Sharks4Kids is able to combine science and conservation media to create a unique and dynamic range of shark education materials. The website offers curriculum, videos, activities and more. Skype classroom lessons and Google hangouts also offer teachers and students the opportunity to have an interactive experience with shark scientists and conservationists. Using Skype, the team has connected with over 40,000 students in 37 countries and 47 US States. Our shark education tours have been hosted in Canada, The Bahamas, The United States and the Dutch Caribbean. In person visits have taken our team to 7 different countries and our ambassador program is building. Shark snorkels, dives and tagging trips are also offered as a way of immersing students into the world of sharks and shark science. We will be publishing our first children’s book in April and will have our first app available later in the year.

Sharks4Kids hopes to expand and increase field opportunities, develop more interactive video content and continue to build the next generation of shark advocates around the world.

Sharks4Kids

Tell us a little about yourself, why you love sharks, and how you got involved in shark conservation.

I grew up crawling through tide pools on the Maine coast and swimming in the cold ocean water until my lips turned blue, much to my parents’ dismay. By the time I was 8 years old, I had seen dolphins, manatees and sharks in the wild and my attachment to the ocean became even deeper. I knew from that young age, the ocean was my place and would be a large part of my life. This passion and fascination has only intensified as I’ve gotten older and much of my adult life has revolved around the ocean.

After graduating with a degree in animal behavior I began traveling the world to study sharks, which took me to Florida, The Bahamas, California and Australia. During my travels my love of sharks and want to help conserve them only grew. I realized how much fear and even hatred was associated with these animals and my own experiences were polar opposites of that. I knew I wanted to share their story and help people understand their reality versus the stereotypes and so began a journey to spread shark education and awareness.

I created Sharks4Kids, Inc. in 2012 because I believe kids offer hope for our oceans and for our planet. Their voice can be heard.  When given tools, the opportunities for students around the world to make a difference, is endless. They have beautiful visions, stories to tell and creative, unbiased minds to drive action. No matter how young or old, never underestimate your ability to influence, inspire and empower.

I have traveled the world filming and photographing marine life, especially sharks. Perceptions and attitudes are changing, directly propelled by someone’s glimpse into the life of these misunderstood predators. Education and awareness develop understanding and compassion, all of which can be catalyzed by one simple image.

Sharks4Kids

Why are great underwater images and video important to the great work that you do at Sharks4Kids?

It is probably cliché to say, but a picture is really worth a 1000 words and can tell a very powerful story. Showing people the beauty and grace of these animals can replace fear with fascination. Images can also catalyze a curiosity for someone to have their own experience. They allow us to show diversity, adaptations, behaviors, habitats and threats facing sharks. They can also help us learn a tremendous amount about a particular shark or a species. We can also show people in the water with sharks, which is also a powerful tool. Sharks are wild animals and they must be respected, but they are not the man-eating monsters they are so frequently portrayed as. Photos and videos are an invaluable tool for teaching kids around the world about sharks, why they are important and how they can help save these incredible animals.

For more information, visit www.sharks4kids.com.

Nick and Caroline (Frogfish Photography) are a married couple of conservation driven underwater photo-journalists and authors. Both have honours degrees from Manchester University, in Environmental Biology and Biology respectively, with Nick being a Fellow of the Royal Photographic Society, a former high school science teacher with a DipEd in Teaching Studies. Caroline has an MSc in Animal Behaviour specializing in Caribbean Ecology. They are multiple award-winning photographers and along with 4 published books, feature regularly in the diving, wildlife and international press They are the Underwater Photography and Deputy Editors at Scubaverse and Dive Travel Adventures. Winners of the Caribbean Tourism Organization Photo-journalist of the Year for a feature on Shark Diving in The Bahamas, and they have been placed in every year they have entered. Nick and Caroline regularly use their free time to visit schools, both in the UK and on their travels, to discuss the important issues of marine conservation, sharks and plastic pollution. They are ambassadors for Sharks4Kids and founders of SeaStraw. They are Dive Ambassadors for The Islands of The Bahamas and are supported by Mares, Paralenz, Nauticam and Olympus. To find out more visit www.frogfishphotography.com

Marine Life & Conservation Blogs

Creature Feature: Undulate Ray

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In this series, the Shark Trust will be sharing amazing facts about different species of sharks and what you can do to help protect them.

This month we’re looking at the Undulate Ray. Easily identified by its beautiful, ornate pattern, the Undulate Ray gets its name from the undulating patterns of lines and spots on its dorsal side.

This skate is usually found on sandy or muddy sea floors, down to about 200 m deep, although it is more commonly found shallower. They can grow up to 90 cm total length. Depending on the size of the individual, their diet can range from shrimps to crabs.

Although sometimes called the Undulate Ray, this is actually a species of skate, meaning that, as all true skates do, they lay eggs. The eggs are contained in keratin eggcases – the same material that our hair and nails are made up of! These eggcases are also commonly called mermaid’s purses and can be found washed up on beaches all around the UK. If you find one, be sure to take a picture and upload your find to the Great Eggcase Hunt – the Shark Trust’s flagship citizen science project.

It is worth noting that on the south coasts, these eggcases can be confused with those of the Spotted Ray, especially as they look very similar and the ranges overlap, so we sometimes informally refer to them as ‘Spundulates’.

Scientific Name: Raja undulata

Family: Rajidae

Maximum Size: 90cm (total length)

Diet: shrimps and crabs

Distribution: found around the eastern Atlantic and in the Mediterranean Sea.

Habitat: shelf waters down to 200m deep.

Conservation Status : As a commercially exploited species, the Undulate Ray is a recovering species in some areas. The good thing is that they have some of the most comprehensive management measures of almost any elasmobranch species, with both minimum and maximum landing sizes as well as a closed season. Additionally, targeting is entirely prohibited in some areas. They are also often caught as bycatch in various fisheries – in some areas they can be landed whilst in others they must be discarded.

IUCN Red List Status: Endangered

For more great shark information and conservation visit the Shark Trust Website


Image Credits: Banner – Sheila Openshaw; Illustration – Marc Dando

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Guarding Against Coral Invaders

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Protecting (Dutch) Caribbean Reefs from Unomia stolonifera

Recent reports highlight the concerning spread of the invasive soft coral, Unomia stolonifera, currently devastating Venezuela’s marine ecosystems and detected in Cuba. With the potential threat of its expansion to the (Dutch) Caribbean islands, urgent action and awareness are essential to safeguard marine biodiversity and local economies from possible catastrophic consequences.

Invasive species are animals or plants from another region of the world that don’t belong in their new environment. These species can have major ecological effects by decimating native flora or fauna. They can also cause large economic losses and impact human health. Invasive species also pose a significant threat to marine ecosystems worldwide, including the Dutch Caribbean. Among these invaders is the octocoral species Unomia stolonifera or “Pulsing Xenia”, originally from the Indo-Pacific. With its rapid growth and lack of natural predators, this species can outcompete native species and disrupt fragile marine habitats such as seagrass beds and coral reefs.

Background

The invasive soft coral U. stolonifera was first identified in 2014, off the coast of Venezuela. It is believed to have been introduced via the illegal aquarium trade.  Since this species can reproduce sexually and asexually (or fragment), even small pieces can regenerate to spread.  Once introduced it quickly took over shallow reefs and hard substrate at depths of 0-50 meters, outcompeting local corals and seagrass for space.  Follow on surveys found that this coral species exhibited average percentage cover as high as 80%, vastly outcompeting native corals. In highly colonized areas, fish are disappearing due to loss of habitats.

In 2022, during a survey conducted in Cuba by the University of Havana, an unknown octocoral was discovered which was later identified as the invasive Unomia stolonifera. It is suspected that the coral larvae arrived in ballast water from fossil fuel ships originating from Venezuela, as nearby sites adjacent to Venezuelan ports have been heavily affected by the invasion.

How to help

Prevention through continuous monitoring, particularly in high-risk areas such as marine harbors and oil facilities, is paramount. Early detection plays a pivotal role in mitigating the threat posed by Unomia stolonifera.

The public’s involvement and awareness are also vital. Local communities, recreational divers, tourists, and all stakeholders are urged to participate in early detection efforts by reporting sightings (photo, location and date) of this invasive coral to their respective Protected Area Management Organization (PMO’s)- the Fundacion Parke Nacional Aruba (FPNA)STINAPA BonaireCARMABI Curaçao Saba Conservation Foundation (SCF)Nature Foundation St. Maarten (NFSXM) and St. Eustatius National Parks (STENAPA). If an invaded area is confirmed, follow the recommendations by the local PMO’s.

Keys to Success

Despite the challenges, early detection is key to mitigating the threat posed by Unomia stolonifera. With continued vigilance, research, and community engagement, there is hope for containing this potential issue before it becomes a major threat.

About the DCNA

The Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance (DCNA) supports (science) communication and outreach in the Dutch Caribbean region by making nature related (scientific) information more widely available through amongst others the Dutch Caribbean Biodiversity Database, DCNA’s news platform BioNews and through the press. This article contains the results from several scientific studies but the studies themselves are not DCNA studies. No rights can be derived from the content. DCNA is not liable for the content and the in(direct) impacts resulting from publishing this article.

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