Shark tagging trip
Step off the shoreline and into the heart of shark conservation and marine research. Join us for an immersive marine science weekend in Miami, where we’ll go beyond observation to become active participants in shark research as we catch and tag sharks, explore what’s behind the scenes at a NOAA lab, and submerge ourselves in marine creatures living in Biscayne Bay.
- Friday afternoon: Go behind the scenes – Discover the research in progress to protect marine environments at NOAA’s Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory at the University of Miami. Our tour will include the Experimental Reef Laboratory, featuring 16 completely independent aquarium systems, each programmable to adjust pH, oxygen, temperature, and light, with a fully automated logging and control system that facilitates real-time manipulation of dynamic levels for temperature, pH, oxygen, and/or light treatments. We’ll also stop by the robotic aquaculture aquaria, CT scanning, and 3D printing facilities.
- Saturday – Aboard the research vessel Garvin – In our highlight adventure, we’ll work alongside marine conservation biologist Dr. David Shiffman and his expert team from The Field School to better understand the ocean’s top predators, sharks. Spend the day deploying gear, measuring, tagging, and collecting vital data from sharks and other species in Miami Bay. You’ll be contributing to active research by collecting data to monitor the health and movement of several shark species found there, as well as other top predators such as barracuda.
- Sunday: Into the sea – Snorkel the vibrant ecosystems of Biscayne National Park. Depending on the day’s conditions, we will snorkel among coral reefs or quiet mangrove nurseries to see the incredible juvenile marine life these habitats support. This area is known for its waters full of nursery animals, including hundreds of baby barracudas.
