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Bimini Biological Field Station
Bimini Biological Field Station

  1. How big is Bimini?
  2. How do I get to Bimini? Do I need a visa?
  3. What criteria are necessary to be a volunteer? Do I need to be a marine biologist?
  4. Can I do a project of my own at the Sharklab?
  5. Does the BBFS only do research on sharks?
  6. What is an average day like at the lab? What can a volunteer expect to do?
  7. Will I need to share a room at the Sharklab?
  8. What sharks are in Bimini, Bahamas?
  9. Should I bring SCUBA gear? or a wetsuit?
  10. What does a volunteer need to bring?
  11. Is there a telephone at the lab?
  12. Does the lab have Internet access?
  13. Is there a cash machine on Bimini? How can I get money?
  14. What kind of currency is the best to bring?
  15. How much money do I need to pay when I arrive at the Sharklab?
  16. Where does the lab get it's food? Who makes the meals?
  17. Do volunteers have any free time during their stay at the Sharklab?
  18. Will I get bitten by a shark?
  19. What kind of dangerous animals, bugs, etc. are in Bimini?
  20. Should I get any immunizations before I go to Bimini?
  21. Is there a hospital on the island?
  22. When is hurricane season?
  23. What kind of stores and shops are on Bimini?
  24. Can I receive mail while at the BBFS?
  25. Does the BBFS have laundry machines?

  1. How big is Bimini?
    The Bimini Islands are made up of North & South Bimini, and a chain of rocks & cays. The main islands of North and South Bimini are relatively small, totaling about 9 square miles, much of which is mangroves and shallow lagoons. Check the "About Bimini" section.

  2. How do I get to Bimini? Do I need a visa?
    The easiest, and most common way, to get to Bimini is to fly from Ft. Lauderdale or Miami. The BBFS staff and volunteers use Bimini Island Air Charters for all travel to and from Bimini. Flights can also be arranged through Nassau, Bahamas. A passport is needed for all nationalities, including US and Canadian however a tourist visa is recommended for Non- U.S. or Canadian Citizens, staying at the Sharklab for longer than 3 months. See the Volunteer Info page for more help.

  3. What criteria are necessary to be a volunteer? Do I need to be a marine biologist?
    Anyone over the age of 18, with a desire to gain field experience, or do an internship, working in a marine setting is welcome to apply. Please see our Volunteer Information page.

  4. Can I do a project of my own at the Sharklab?
    The BBFS offers students the opportunity to do undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral projects in Bimini. Our primary research involves elucidation of the role of the lemon shark in a tropical marine ecosystem. However, other specific field studies dealing with the abundant marine fauna will be gladly considered. Please contact Dr. Gruber if you are interested in doing a project at the Sharklab. Also check the Volunteer Info page."

  5. Does the BBFS only do research on sharks?
    No. The BBFS has done a wide variety of marine research since it's inception. Non- shark research has included work with spotted eagle rays, southern stingrays, marine geography & biotope mapping, and many more areas of marine science. See what our Current Research involves. Students wishing to do a project on any of the abundant marine fauna found in Bimini can contact Dr. Samuel Gruber.

  6. What is an average day like at the lab? What can a volunteer expect to do?
    Volunteers assist in the ongoing research, as well as assisting in the upkeep of the Sharklab facility. Everyday, the staff will have a meeting to determine what work will be done for the day. Teams are then sent out to the field to collect data. All volunteers will receive a variety of experiences during their stay at the Sharklab. See what the current research is at the BBFS, and what is happening At the Lab.

  7. Will I need to share a room at the Sharklab?
    Volunteers are divided between 4 "staterooms" at the station. Each room is equipped with 2 bunk beds, to accommodate up to 4 people per room. The more people that are staying at the station, the more people per room. Take a look at The Facility.

  8. What sharks are in Bimini, Bahamas?
    While the main study of our research focuses on the Lemon Shark (N. brevirostris), there are many other species of sharks and rays that we work with, and that you can encounter in Bimini. The most common are the Nurse Shark (G.cirratum), Tiger Shark (G. cuvier), Blacktip Shark (C. limbatus), Caribbean Reef Shark (C. perezi), Bull Shark (C. leucas), Great Hammerhead (S. mokkaran), Blacknose Shark (C. acronotus), and Atlantic Sharpnose (R. terraenovae), just to name a few. See the Sharks of Bimini page.

  9. Should I bring SCUBA gear? or a wetsuit?
    SCUBA gear is NOT necessary for Sharklab volunteers. All of the work we do in the water is either from a boat, or with snorkel gear (i.e. mask, fins, and snorkel). Wetsuits are useful, but not necessary. During the winter months the water can get quite chilly, and wetsuits also protect against minor stings, scratches, and sun-exposure.

  10. What does a volunteer need to bring?
    See our What to Bring page.

  11. Is there a telephone at the lab?
    There is a pay-phone at the Sharklab. However, we can NOT receive incoming calls. Phone calls from Bimini can be made by calling collect, or by using a Batelco Calling Card. Most non-Bahamian calling cards will not work from Bimini. Many volunteers use internet based serivces such as Skype for outgoing calls.

  12. Does the lab have Internet access?
    Yes, wireless highspeed. Work always takes priority when using the lab computer, but there will be times for personal e-mail and internet use. Internet use is limited on the lab computer. Volunteers are welcomed to bring a wireless laptop. There is a very reasonable monthly charge payable to the lab for internet access for those wishing to use it.

  13. Is there a cash machine on Bimini? How can I get money?
    There is no cash machine on South Bimini, but there is one on North Bimini at the Royal Bank of Canada (RBC). You can also get money from the Bimini RBC during business hours. You need a Visa credit card, and a photo ID. The best idea is to have money or traveler's cheques arranged before arriving to Bimini. The lab only accepts personal cheques drawn from a US bank.

  14. What kind of currency is the best to bring?
    The BBFS & the Bahamas gladly accepts either U.S. or Bahamian currency.

  15. How much money do I need to pay when I arrive at the Sharklab?
    Please download our Volunteer Application for all costs.

  16. Where does the lab get it's food? Who makes the meals?
    Almost all of the food prepared at the Sharklab is flown over from Miami via Bimini Island Air Charters. The lab is equipped with several freezers, and other storage space to keep the food. Everyone takes their turn in preparing the meals. The lab manager is in charge of making sure everyone is well fed, and no food is wasted. See what's on the BBFS Menu

  17. Do volunteers have any free time during their stay at the Sharklab?
    There is usually one "day off" every 7-10 days. During this time the volunteers are free to do what they please. Sea Kayaking, SCUBA diving, snorkeling, spear fishing, site-seeing, or just lounging on one of many beaches are just some of the options.

  18. Will I get bitten by a shark?
    There has never been anyone at the Sharklab who has been severely bitten by a shark. The few minor bites that have happened are usually the result of mishandling a juvenile shark, and have not required significant medical assistance. The staff will instruct all volunteers how to properly, and safely, work with the animals. However, medical insurance is a must for volunteers working at the lab.

  19. What kind of dangerous animals, bugs, etc. are in Bimini?
    The biggest nuisance in Bimini is surely the mosquitoes and sand-flies. However, malaria and other mosquito bound pathogens do NOT occur in the Bahamas. There are also several species of lizard, two species of snake, many species of birds, and many, many dogs on Bimini. None of which pose any threat.

  20. Should I get any immunizations before I go to Bimini?
    Traveler's immunizations are NOT necessary when traveling to the Bahamas.

  21. Is there a hospital on the island?
    There is a small medical clinic on North Bimini (a 10 minute boat ride from the lab). It is equipped with an x-ray machine & pharmacy, and staffed by a doctor and a nursing crew. Any serious injuries will require flights to Nassau or Ft. Lauderdale for treatment. Make sure your medical insurance will cover these flight costs.

  22. When is hurricane season?
    The Hurricane Season extends from June until November. The BBFS monitors the weather every day by radio, and with the internet, and has a thorough evacuation plan in the rare instance that a serious storm heads towards Bimini. The last mandatory evacuation was during Wilma in 2005. Many traveller's insurance plans will cover expenses related to hurricane evacuations.

  23. What kind of stores and shops are on Bimini?
    There are two small convenience stores located on South Bimini, as well as three bars/restaurants. Most shopping facilities are on North Bimini, where Alicetown and Bailey Town are located. There are several small shops, restaurants, the Bimini Museum, and the Bimini Straw Market. Volunteers can visit all of these places by foot, during their free time.

  24. Can I receive mail while at the BBFS?
    Volunteers and staff can receive mail and packages directly to the Sharklab at: Sharklab, South Bimini, Bahamas (that is the entire address) though it is not recommended for volunteers staying for only a single month. For longer term volunteers, packages can be sent direct to Bimini. Please note that most revenue in the Bahamas is generated by import duties and as such packages sent to Bimini could incure duty rates as high as 35%.

  25. Does the BBFS have laundry machines?
    The Sharklab has a washing machine for staff and volunteer clothing and linens. Clothes are hung on lines out back to dry. Laundry is usually done by staff once per week. Other options include laundry facilities at Bimini Sands Resort on South Bimini at a cost of $3.00 per load for the washer or dryer.

FAQ

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