From now to October is the season for something totally different to do in Miami, and “of the place” – a day of shark tagging Miami, working as a “Citizen Scientist” side by side a world renowned shark research team from the Rosenstiel School of Marine Science at the University of Miami (UMP).
Citizen Science is an opportunity for non-professional scientists to be involved in scientific inquiry through proactive participation with scientists working on real time problems relating to their research goals. Participation involves scientifically sound practices and measurable outcomes.
As a Citizen Scientist with UM’s Shark Research team, you’ll assist in deploying and retrieving fishing gear and more exciting yet, you’ll help pull in a line that might have a shark on it. Surprising to me, there are nine varieties of shark species in our waters including blacktip, blacknose, bonnethead, bull, lemon, great hammerhead, scalloped hammerhead, nurse, sandbar, and tiger sharks. Sometimes no shark is caught, but typically several are found and tagged.
You will help with the collection of samples, including taking a fin clip, tagging the shark, and taking shark length measurements. Want to see what you’ll be doing? Check the research team’s instagram and Facebook albums.
The one day outing departs from Key Biscayne and lasts from about 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 pm. Participants must be ten years of age or older. The Citizen Science experience is also offered to corporate groups and private parties (maximum 20 people).
To join a trip for shark tagging Miami you need to fill out an interest form about upcoming available trip dates and then they fill the trips based on a first come first served basis. At the time of filling trips, you get information on how to submit a donation to secure your spot. There’s no need to be scuba certified as all research is done from the deck of a coast guard certified research vessel.
The donation per Citizen Scientist goes to help cover the boat costs and fund research in the marine environment. It’s tax deductible as permitted by law. In addition, donations help subsidize the cost of this experience for underserved and underprivileged students . And if you can’t go on the outing, you can help fund the operations by buying from their online store where you can find a variety of artist inspired shark apparel. Click HERE to learn more.
6 Responses
Is it possible to get info on this and on where to stay – Traveling with 13 year old Grandaughter and she would love to do this
Thanks
Here’s the link to information about participation: http://sharkresearch.rsmas.miami.edu/participate/citizen-science-public-expeditions . You need to fill out a contact form on the site and they’ll get back to you about dates. In terms of where to stay, the expedition departs from Key Biscayne. Nearby is the Brickell Avenue area where there are a lot of hotels at different price points. On the high side there’s the Four Seasons and Mandarin Oriental. In the reasonably priced category there’s an Aloft hotel, Atton and Hampton Inn. Hope this helps.
this is so interesting…..whoever would have thought this is happening in our own backyard
That’s what I thought when I heard about this!
Thank you, Karen.
Are you going to do it?