Still Counting by: Marissa Jane Peone

Previous to coming here, I had seen one shark, a black tip reef shark. My shark count now? It’s only been two weeks and I’ve already held a juvenile lemon and nurse shark and helped tag a black tip and tiger shark. Shark infested waters wouldn’t be incorrect to say, but that comment isn’t meant to put the media distorted picture in your head and send shivers down your spine (thanks a lot Spielberg). It’s supposed to give you an idea of the diversity and the unique ecosystems that flood the waters around this happy little island.  That’s not to say that my first encounter with a shark didn’t send goose bumps through my whole body. A tiny little nurse shark gets passed to you and their power resonates down your whole arm.  I was anxious, the fish was beautiful, and the whole meet is one to never be forgotten.

Land, water, or cosmos alike it’s safe to say the Shark Lab and Mother Nature have created a pretty good dynamic. Some days you’ll find yourself on a night check with the stars of the Milky Way beaming directly overhead, realizing that when that boat slows down, at worst, you get to interact with one of the most majestic animals on earth and you got a really good star show. Sounds pretty great, huh? Each shark experience will be their own special and the most whimsical may be yet to come. Did I mention December is hammerhead season?