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Join scientists at one of the oldest and largest shark and ray research programs in the world and help protect sharks and rays from overexploitation and environmental threats.

Beneath the waters of southwest Florida lies a thriving sanctuary, home to a diverse array of shark species. More than a third of sharks and rays around the world are at risk of extinction, making them the second most threatened vertebrate group on earth (after amphibians). Yet off the coast of southwest Florida, blacktip, great hammerhead, tiger, sandbar, and many other shark species thrive in numbers not often seen in other parts of the world. This shark haven is largely possible due to science-based management of shark fisheries in the U.S.

While the demand for shark meat and fins is low in the U.S., some species are still caught and exported. However, shark fining here is heavily regulated to ensure their populations remain stable or even grow. In Florida, shark catch limits are informed by data collected by Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium, home to the longest-running shark abundance survey in the nation.

Picture yourself out on a boat in the open ocean, actively assisting researchers in identifying shark species, tagging and measuring individuals, and collecting vital environmental data like water depth, temperature, and conditions. Your efforts will play a key role in informing federal assessments and management decisions for sharks, ensuring their populations will continue to thrive.

You’ll also have the opportunity to help establish research on Florida’s ray populations. Little is known about the stingrays that live off the coast of Florida—in fact, we don’t even know how many there are. By assisting scientists conduct stingray surveys, you’ll help uncover how environmental factors and human impacts, including harmful algal blooms known as “red tide,” are affecting the species.