SH RK TAGGING

A Sea Cadet Adventure

THE MISSION:

Catch a shark, get close enough to attach a tracking tag and let the mighty fish loose, unharmed.

THE CREW:

24 Sea Cadets – a mix of middle and high schoolers – and few nervous parents, led by two scientists from Nova Southeastern University.

THE RESULT:

An up-close shark encounter where this bold crew learned: why sharks are important to our ecosystem, how scientists study these misunderstood creatures and what it feels like to touch a live shark.

‘YOU’RE GONNA NEED A BIGGER BOAT’

Grants from the Community Foundation have long supported Nova Southeastern University as well as Fort Lauderdale’s Sea Cadets – the U.S. Navy’s youth development program where students learn about naval life, build leadership skills and participate in educational field trips.

So, when we found out the Sea Cadets could join NSU scientists for a scientific shark adventure by chartering a boat big enough for their bold crew, we knew the philanthropists who partner with us to create charitable funds would love to support this unforgettable educational opportunity.

Setting The Bait

Sea Cadets learned to prepare the lines, bait extra-large hooks with chunks of fish and toss out buoy markers as the researchers hunted for sharks within view of Fort Lauderdale’s beaches. As the initial exciting moments of bait hitting the water stretched into hours of waiting for a bite, the cadets had time to listen to the scientists explain how tagging sharks helps gather data about shark movements and growth rates – critical to understanding how overfishing, climate change and other challenges affect sharks and the health of the oceans.

SHARK, ON!

Late in the day, after nary a fin had been spotted during hours at sea, the crew prepared to pull in the lines and head back to the dock. But then, a tug on the last line in the water revealed a shark finally took the bait. Excited Sea Cadets teamed up to help pull the shark – twisting and splashing in rolling seas – toward the boat. As they pulled the shark closer, they learned they had an 11-foot-long, 800-pound tiger shark on the line.

TAG, YOU’RE IT

With the shark pulled within arm’s-length of the boat, cadets learned how to take measurements and tissue samples. Cadets had a chance to feel the shark’s glistening skin and peek at its gleaming white teeth. The scientists showed them how to use special pliers to punch a hole in the dorsal fin and attach a yellow tag, which included an email address and request for anyone who catches the shark to send the date and location. Cadets discovered that sometimes scientists attach larger, more sophisticated tags that allow for satellite tracking. The tags, the hooks and all the equipment used that day were designed to be as low impact on the shark as possible.

Mission Accomplished

Data gathered from shark tagging missions like this help scientists across the globe better understand sharks and the health of our seas. Spending a day helping to gather this important data gave Sea Cadets a firsthand look at the hard work behind scientific discovery – as well as a real-life fish story few can match.

Fundholder Support