Sharks Resources

October 9, 2023

By Frost Science

Here in South Florida, there are dozens of shark research and conservation organizations doing excellent work to understand and protect sharks, both locally and around the world. Check out the resource below to learn more about some of them, as well as how you can get involved in saving sharks.

  1. The area’s major universities all have thriving shark research groups. These include Florida Atlantic University’s SharkLab, Florida International University’s Heithaus Lab for Marine Community & Behavioral Ecology and Predator Ecology & Conservation Lab, the University of Miami’s Shark Research and Conservation Program, and the Save Our Seas Foundation Shark Research Centre at Nova Southeastern University.
  2. Mote Marine Laboratory runs the Sharks & Rays Conservation Research Program, which focuses on the ecology and conservation of sharks and their relatives.
  3. Minorities in Shark Sciences (MISS) is a non-profit that provides paid opportunities for gender minorities of color to enter the field of shark science. By making hands-on experience in the field accessible to these underrepresented groups, they are increasing equity in the marine sciences.
  4. Field School runs educational programs for people aged 18 and over, equipping them with the practical fieldwork skills and tools to do marine science research. Courses include Introduction to Shark Research Skills, R@Sea (a computer coding class) and Introduction to Tropical Marine Research. They also run the Miami Shark Project, which aims to protect Biscayne Bay and supports women in science.
  5. ANGARI Foundation is increasing knowledge and local investment in the marine sciences by supporting research that builds trust and dialogue between scientists and the general public, providing curricula to bring marine science into the classroom, and sharing the wonders of the ocean through film and other media.
  6. Sharks4Kids aims to shape the next generation of shark advocations by providing educational material and experiences, including field trips for students in South Florida.

In addition to supporting the above organizations, you can get involved in shark research and conservation in a few ways. Some things you can do are help shark scientists collect real data through citizen science projects run by the Shark Trust, learn where your seafood comes from so you can make choices that protect sharks, or attend a meeting of your local watershed management advisory board to advocate for clean waters.