Join us in Miami for a marine science excursion that features participants netting and tagging sharks with researcher Dr. David Shiffman and his team of marine biologists. Over this long weekend, daily activities are scheduled with our shark research excursion highlighting our Saturday activities. For Friday and Sunday, destinations include a tour of a seabird rehabilitation center and snorkeling in Biscayne Bay.
FRIDAY: Tour Pelican Harbor Seabird Station, an internationally recognized center for seabird rehabilitation. We will view the pelican feeding, meet the wildlife currently in rehabilitation, and see up close two or three ambassador animals and possibly a bird release. In 2023, Pelican Harbor treated over 2,000 birds and animals across 134 species of animals.
SATURDAY: Climb aboard our all-day charter, the research vessel Garvin. We will help deploy gear and fish for sharks. Once caught, we’ll take measurements, tissue samples, and tag the sharks, all under the supervision of the team which includes a fisheries scientist, a marine conservation biologist, and our lead researcher, Dr. Shiffman. The charter company used is The Field School. For more information on their programs, click here: https://www.getintothefield.com/
SUNDAY: Grab your gear for a half-day snorkel trip on a powerboat in Biscayne Bay. The destination for our private trip will be based on the day’s weather and sea conditions to ensure safety and an optimal snorkeling experience. There are three possible locations to snorkel: in the open ocean around a patch of coral reef; bayside near the mangroves, home to many species of juvenile sea life and fish, soft corals, and sea sponges; or at shipwreck sites which vary from a small collection of coral-encrusted ballast stones to the mangled metal structures of modern ships.
ABOUT THE SHARKS: Twenty-five species of sharks are found in the waters around Florida. The most common sharks tagged are nurse, black-tipped, bonnethead, and, occasionally, great hammerhead, tiger, bull, and Carribean sharks. The data gathered from tagging is used in population monitoring research. There is no guarantee on the number of sharks that may be fished, but the crew usually averages three sharks per outing.
ABOUT OUR LEADER: Dr. Shiffman is the author of the book, Why Sharks Matter: A Deep Dive with the World’s Most Misunderstood Predator. In the book, Shiffman explains how sharks are some of the most fascinating, ecologically important, threatened, and misunderstood animals on Earth. Their role as predators has earned them a reputation as a major threat to humans. But the truth is that sharks are in danger from us. Other current articles by Shiffman appear here: https://www.scientificamerican.com/author/david-shiffman/#:~:text=David%20 Shiffman%20is,Universiti%20of%20 Miami.
Hotel accommodations are reserved at Tru by Hilton West Brickell with rooms starting at $130 per night for double or king rooms. The last day to book this rate is Monday, August 5. This hotel is located three miles from where we are chartering the boat for shark tagging. The snorkeling location is approximately 36 miles away and Pelican Harbor is 10 miles away.
Transportation, food, and all other expenses are the responsibility of the participant. The registration fee covers the charter boat and crew for shark tagging, the Pelican Harbor tour, and the snorkeling charter and research team.
The hotel booking link will be available after registration and payment have been completed.
Due to the costs and nature of this trip, refunds are available up to thirty days before the trip start date of Sept 6. Cancelations after Aug 5 are not refundable.
Location
FL
