On June 11th, MAR partnered with MISS (Minorities in Shark Science) to bring their summer camp students out on the water to participate in hands-on shark science! This was MAR’s second excursion with MISS aboard Coastal Cruises, where students learned about the science of shark tagging and how to do it safely and effectively. Read about our first outing with MISS here.
In Search of Sharks
It was a beautiful day for a boat trip on this June morning, and we left the marina with a boat full of summer campers who were ready to put their shark knowledge to good use. Upon arriving at our tagging destination, students began baiting hooks intended to attract potential tagging subjects. When all the hooks were baited, we cast the line into the water and waited for sharks to find it. While waiting, Norah from MISS prepared the campers with a demonstration of what to expect if a shark was caught and brought on board. Students were taught how to measure the shark’s length, record measurements, take blood and muscle samples for lab analysis, check the shark for parasites, and place a tag near the shark’s dorsal fin. Each student was then assigned a specific job, so if a shark was brought on board, they were ready to spring into action!
An Unexpected Catch
Unfortunately, we did not catch a shark that was small enough to be brought on board. However, we did catch the biggest shark that MISS has ever caught on a shark tagging outing: a 6-foot long female nurse shark! Although we were not able to collect samples from or tag this individual, just seeing the shark was enough to excite the group of science-minded summer campers we shared this outing with. The students talked about the nurse shark throughout our whole trip back to the marina, and it was clear that both the students and the MAR team had all been inspired by the sighting!
MISS Summer Camp: A Full Week of Shark Science
This outing with MAR was just one part of MISS’s week-long, free summer day camp for high school students historically underrepresented in STEM. Throughout the week, campers are able to participate in many fun activities, including kayaking, snorkeling, shark dissections, and more! This camp is a great opportunity for students interested in learning more about shark science, and a great stepping stone into a future career in marine research and conservation. To learn more about MISS, their summer camps, and the rest of their programming, visit their website!
Event Photos
