Off to see the sharks!
Field Station
The research that they are conducting on the lemon sharks is incredible. I loved hearing about the use of the collected data for conserving the North Sound of Bimini (the islands we have been diving around in the Bahamas). Lemon sharks spend their early years swimming about the mangroves bordering the shore, which provides great protection from the hammerhead sharks, bull sharks, and other large organisms living in the deeper waters outside of Bimini Bay.
Juvenile lemon shark
After hearing about the research and conservation we actually got to see one of the juvenile Lemon Sharks being studied. To get a closer look the head scientist carefully turned the shark on its back, which puts it into a hypnotic state.
Sleepy shark
That is how they are able to control the shark while inserting small tracking chips and transmitters without needing to use anesthetics. The shark’s dermal denticles (their skin) felt awesome! It was a great experience to see a field study center!
- Jacki
Seeing the beautiful images of the expedition makes me think about my own carbon footprint and the role we all have in protecting the oceans and the earth. :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a fabulous experience! We heard all about it at Update yesterday. We love Meg but miss our Fearless Leader...so, Jenna be sure & bring Jo back!
ReplyDeleteThe Island School & Cape Eleuthera Institute in Eleuthera, Bahamas is also doing some cool research on lemon sharks. We had a resident lemon shark named Lulu in the mangrove!
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