Implanting a transmitter in an adult lemon shark

Over the last two days, we have been able to catch and put transmitters on 4 large adult lemon sharks, including a 265cm pregnant female. Using our array of bottom-monitors, we will be able to trace the movements of these large lemon sharks around Bimini, and see how often and when they use the shallow lagoons around the islands.

Two of the recent captures were especially important to us, as they were in fact adult lemons that we caught and tagged as newborns over 10 years ago. This is direct proof that the lemon sharks that are born around Bimini return to the islands as adults to mate and give birth themselves.

Using the genetic samples taken from each of these sharks, we will be able to fill in our lemon shark "family tree" for Bimini and record the next generation of lemon sharks being born to the original catch of our yearly PIT Program.

Releasing the tagged Bull Shark

March 2006 Photo of Great Hammerhead being tagged

Little is known about Great Hammerheads, and since the BBFS opened, we have never recaptured any of the few individuals that we have tagged. Amazingly, while en route to the lagoon between the Bimini Islands today, we passed over the same Great Hammerhead that we tagged in March of last year.

Just in shore from the plane wreck off the south coast of South Bimini, in barely 5 feet of water, was this massive 3 meter plus shark. Due to the method used to tag this particular shark, the tags position on the shark's body was slightly different than normal, but this small deviation was enough for us to positively identify the shark by sight.

This marks the first "recapture" data the BBFS has ever acquired on a Great Hammerhead, which is quite remarkable considering the fact that we have never actually caught this shark.

March 15, 07 — Photographer Brian Skerry's Concern For Bimini
Photojournalist Brian Skerry has been an international ambassador of the beauty of the oceans for over a decade, having published hundreds of striking underwater photos from around the world. National Geographic Magazine's recent "An Eden for Sharks" article featured Brian's work, which included photo highlights from his time spent here on Bimini.

Brian Skerry in Bimini's Mangroves

Brian Skerry's work not only conveys the unique appearance of the subjects he photographs, but also the experiences of the variety of wildlife in the water. Brian has traveled the globe and seen the oceans in all their diversity, and recently had some statements about Bimini and the situation he witnessed here.

"My work as a photographer for has taken me around the world, to some of the most beautiful and unique areas in the oceans, but visiting Bimini was truly something special.

I spent about 2 weeks in Bimini shooting photos for the "Eden for Sharks" article, and I was amazed at how beautiful the waters around the island were. Together with a small crew from the SharkLab, I spent most of my time in and amongst the mangroves swimming with dozens of sharks and hundreds of fish scurrying about. It was breathtaking to see how much wildlife is actually thriving amongst the mangroves of Bimini.

Unfortunately, I saw something in Bimini that disturbed me as well. Large areas of mangroves were being bulldozed, and apparently much more of these habitats have been destroyed since I've been gone. It's a trend that I have seen in many other places, one in which the final outcome results in the loss of precious habitat for wildlife. As the mangroves are removed, marine animals are lost. Around the world these pristine areas are being sacrificed and it is the local communities that suffer by losing a part of their history and culture, and their legacy.

The April issue of National Geographic magazine will feature a story I photographed on the subject of Marine Protected Areas (of New Zealand). New Zealand has taken a progressive role in protecting their oceans and the benefits are clear. The value of MPA's is substantial in creating replenishment zones for local marine wildlife. Establishing protected areas in Bimini would, in my opinion, be a solid investment in the future of this wonderful Bahamian jewel. It will conserve not only the sharks & myriad of other wildlife, but also enrich the people who live there."

March 12, 07 — WildEye Success
The BBFS just finished an exciting week hosting a shark biology / underwater photography course with the U.K.'s WildEye. For the second year in a row, the SharkLab hosted WildEye for their "shark encounter" experience.

Photo by Cheryl Black - WildEye 2007

The course consisted of several lectures and presentations focused on shark biology, led by Dr. Samuel Gruber and Dr. R. Dean Grubbs, as well as introduction and instruction in the field of underwater videography & photography, led by Sune & John Nightingale.

In addition to the lectures, the students were taken around the waters of Bimini, and able to see a variety of sharks and marine life up close and personal. Field trips included experiences with Caribbean Reef sharks, Lemon sharks, Nurse sharks, Blacknose sharks, Southern Stingrays, Bull sharks & Tiger sharks.

For more information about WildEye and this exciting course, Click Here.

March 2, 07 — Gateway Academy Visits the SharkLab
Students from the fifth grade class at Gateway Christian Academy on North Bimini visited the SharkLab for a field trip today. The class is learning about "ecosystems," and came prepared with a list of questions about the unique ecology around Bimini & the Bahamas.

Learning about corals in the SharkLab

To start the visit, the class gathered inside the SharkLab to discuss what an ecosystem is, how it works, and what can be done to protect it. The class learned about all the different aspects of Bimini's marine & terrestrial environments, and how they are all related to one another.

The class then had to come up with a list of ways to protect Bimini's ecosystems, here's what they came up with:

1) Pick up all the garbage, and stop throwing garbage on the ground and in the sea.
2) Don't cut down any more trees or mangroves, and start planting more.
3) Don't eat baby conch, baby lobster or other fish that are too small.
4) Don't hurt or kill endangered species.
5) Tell other people about Bimini's ecosystems and how to protect them.

Students with the Bimini Boa

After the discussion, the class was brought outside to see one of Bimini's endangered species, the Bimini boa, up close & personal. The students were able to see and touch a live boa, as well as learn about it's life history and importance to Bimini's ecology. Some of the students had never seen this beautiful snake before, and even those who were a little timid at first admitted how pretty it was. In the end, all of the students touched the Bimini boa, and one of the teachers accompanying the class even held it for a photo.

Learning about sharks in the back pen

For the grand finale, the whole class was brought out back to the shark pens. Tristan & Katie showed the students the young lemon sharks and pointed out the unique anatomy and sensory systems that sharks possess. The class also learned about the research being conducted by the BBFS, and how important sharks are to the marine ecosystems of the Bahamas, and all the world's oceans. Each student was then able to touch a live lemon shark. The students were extremely excited about touching a live shark, and many of them even snuck back into the line to take another turn at rubbing the shark's skin.

After almost 3 hours of fun and learning at the SharkLab, the students had to head back to school. Hopefully they took with them a new appreciation of Bimini's amazing ecosystems, and hopefully they'll come back soon.

February 26, 07 — BBFS in National Geographic Magazine
National Geographic Magazine has just released their March 2007 issue with an outstanding new article titled "An Eden for Sharks", which features the BBFS SharkLab.

In the article, National Geographic senior writer Jennifer Holland beautifully describes the important role that sharks play in Bahamian waters, and photographer Brian Skerry provides breathtaking images of these amazing animals in their natural habitats throughout the islands.

This fascinating and informative article can be seen online by Clicking Here, or simply pick up a copy of the March 2007 issue of National Geographic.

Bullet - October 2006

February 8, 07 — Bullet Update
The SharkLab received several e-mails last October after posting news about our adoption of a new dog, so we thought we would post a quick update on our pit-bull, Bullet.

Last October, Bullet was saved by a team of incredibly skilled and caring veterinarians who were visiting Bimini. When we got her from them, Bullet weighed about 13 pounds and was extremely weak from malnutrition & infections from wounds, mainly stemming from her ears, which were gruesomely cropped by someone tying them at the base with fishing line.

Since we have had her, Bullet has been on a fairly steady diet of antibiotics to fend off the many infections her body is fighting. But also, for perhaps the first time in her life, she has been on a steady diet.

Bullet - February 2007

As of February, Bullet has grown to weigh 48 pounds, and has become an extremely healthy and active dog. She is very playful and friendly, especially considering how poorly she had been treated by people in her first few months of life. Bullet has been getting regular walks and exercise from the entire crew at the SharkLab, and she seems especially fond of running along side the golf-cart to run errands.

During a recent walk up on North Bimini, several Biminites stopped to exclaim what a pretty dog Bullet was, and we couldn't agree more. Next time you are on South Bimini, please stop the SharkLab for a visit, we're sure Bullet would love to see you.

Shell Beach Clean-Up Crew

February 6, 07 — Beach Clean-Up
The SharkLab crew spent an afternoon last week off the water, and on the beach. In an effort to get more involved with the local community, the SharkLab has decided to try to initiate monthly Island Clean-Up projects on Bimini. The first area to be tended to was Shell Beach, the beach that extends along the western shore of South Bimini and greets most of the boats coming into Bimini.

In one afternoon, the SharkLab Trash Team was able to collect 1379 pounds of trash from the beach and surrounding areas. Beverage containers, motor-oil bottles and shoes constituted the majority of the trash bulk, though there was definitely a lot of variety.

The SharkLab would like to continue this community work throughout 2007, involving both local Biminites and visiting tourists in the effort. Clean-up projects like this are both inspiring and frustrating. It is great to see the positive response from people who want to help take care of the environment, but at the same time it is upsetting to see the amount of trash that is discarded into the oceans everyday by careless people.

More information will be posted in the coming weeks concerning Clean-Up projects on Bimini, so please check back with us soon.

Press Releases: Two new articles concerning development on North Bimini have recently been published in the Nassau Guardian.
Click to read the articles, Bimini Bay Draws Concerns and Fears Resort Will Harm Fish Stock.

January 23, 07 — SharkLab News Round-Up
The BBFS has been extremely busy since the end of 2006, and thus we've fallen behind on updating our website. Please take a few moments to catch up on our work & research over the last few months...

Brady Barr & Dean Grubbs with a large Nurse Shark

Christian leaning over to tag the Bull Shark

The website had not been updated in quite some time, but please check back with us in the coming weeks for updates on our work in Bimini and reviews of the SharkLab's last few months of 2006.

Bullet

Oct 25, 06 — The Bimini Bullet
The BBFS is proud to announce that we have added a new member to the SharkLab team, her name is Bullet.

A small team of veterinarians visit Bimini a couple of times per year and are usually loaded down with work, both with routine check-ups on healthy pets as well as tending to some very sick and unhealthy animals. This past weekend, they were brought a young pit-bull mix whose owner had apparently tried to crop her ears using fishing line. The dogs ears had been wrapped in mono filament near the base so tightly, that they were basically detached from the dog.

The cruel practice of cropping ears is fairly common with pit-bulls, though now most vets will not perform the procedure. When pit-bulls are used for fighting, the ears are often cropped to prevent the other dog from being able to bite them. Some pit bull owners, though they don't use their dogs for fighting, think that cropped ears makes the dogs look tough. This dog's ears were wrapped with line so that the ear would basically lose circulation, the tissue would die, and the ears would fall off and be left short.
On top of that, she was malnourished and very skinny.

The vets have to consider putting dogs down that are in that bad of shape, but they were so taken with how sweet she was, they decided to operate on her ears and do what they could to save her. After some careful surgery to save what was left of her ears, and a new diet of antibiotics to fend off infections, all that was needed was a new home.

Bullet & Katie

There were a few others interested in taking her home, but with such short notice it would have been difficult for things to work smoothly. Therefore, the SharkLab became a viable option.

We've had her for one day, and everyone is thrilled to have her. She will require a few more weeks to recover from her surgery and neglect, but she seems to be getting livelier by the moment.

For a dog that seems to have had a very hard a first few months of life, she is amazingly sweet and can't seem to get enough of people petting her.

Next time you are on South Bimini, feel free to stop by and see her.

The BBFS would like to express our highest praise to the team of veterinarians that saved Bullet. A huge Thank You goes out to Dr. Grant, Martha Kehoe, Consie von Gontard and the rest of their team.

September 28, 06 — Save the Bahamas Coalition
The first ever "Save the Bahamas" conference is taking place this weekend in Freeport, Grand Bahama. Representatives from around the Bahamas, including Bimini, will gather to discuss ways of promoting and preserving local rights, culture and envirnonments.

To read more about the Save the Bahamas Coalition, Click Here.

August 27, 06 — Concern From a MythBuster
In recent months there has been a surge of news concerning resort developments on the "Out-Islands" of the Bahamas, including Bimini. This issue has drawn international attention, as not only are the local communities concerned about their future, but others who have grown to love these islands are also pleading for more responsible development.

Now Jamie Hyneman, host of TV's popular show MythBusters, has added his voice to the issue. The MythBusters pride themselves on separating facts from fiction, and as a former dive operator, Jamie has seen for himself the negative effects irresponsible developments can have on the oceans.

Jamie Hyneman - Host, MythBusters "A season or so ago we shot an episode of Mythbusters on Bimini and grew to love the place. It was beautiful and relatively untouched until just recently. As a seasoned diver, and operator of a dive charter business in the Caribbean for a number of years, I have seen first hand the destruction that tourist development can cause on coral reefs and mangrove forests. These ecosystems are interdependent and fragile and are already under a great deal of stress due to human activity. We should not allow huge developments to come in and wipe out these areas- this is what is happening in Bimini right now. Unless people put a stop to this destruction these beautiful areas will be gone forever."

For more information on this issue, please visit www.SaveBimini.org

Update: More news on Bimini's controversial development from the Miami Herald and National Geographic.

Steve preparing to release the Bull

August 25, 06 — August Longline Catch
The BBFS just finished a hugely successful longline set, catching and tagging 20 sharks in just 24 hours. The sharks caught included 14 Blacktip sharks (C. limbatus), 4 Nurse sharks (G. cirratum), one 265 cm male Lemon shark (N. brevirostris), and a large male Bull shark (C. leucas).

This is one of the larger numbers of sharks the BBFS has ever caught in a 24 hour period, partly due to the large amount of Blacktip sharks that are currently mating around Bimini.

All of the sharks caught were tagged and released.

August 1, 06 — SharkLab Featured During Shark Week
The Dicovery Channel's annual Shark Week is underway, and this year's programs will showcase two different shows featuring the Bimini Biological Field Station.

The first show featuring the SharkLab is Dirty Jobs: Jobs That Bite, hosted by Mike Rowe.

And later in the week, see the BBFS crew on Sharks: Are They Hunting Us? with host Dave Salmoni.

July 14, 06 — Mangroves of Bimini
The Bimini Biological Field Station has recently added a new page to our website. In our research in and around Bimini, it is impossible for us to not recognize the importance of Bimini's mangroves to the ecology of these islands. Therefore we've added a new Mangroves of Bimini page, to help others learn more About Bimini and all these islands have to offer.

To view the new Mangroves of Bimini page, Click Here. And check back often for new photos and information to be added.

July 8, 06 — PIT 2006 Summary
PIT 2006, one of our most successful PIT tagging campaigns ever, is officially over and done. The catch results of PIT 2006 have been briefly analyzed, and show some interesting trends. Matt Potenski, who was responsible for photo-documenting the project this year has added a Summary page to the PIT 2006 coverage on the BBFS website for people to view the results, and get a summary of this year's contribution to this 12 year long natural-history project.

To see the coverage of PIT 2006, please use the side-bar on the right side of this page. And to see the PIT 2006 Summary, Click Here.

July 2, 06 — Another New Website Created www.SaveBimini.org
A powerful new website has just been created in addition to the recent www.restrictbiminibayresort.org site. This new site may have the biggest impact yet in the fight to preserve Bimini's ecology, as it is the product of the people most affected by this issue, the people of Bimini.

Please check out the new www.savebimini.org, and help support the Save Bimini Association.

June 28, 06 — New Website Created to Help "Save Bimini"
A new website has been created to bring more attention to the controversy surrounding North Bimini's Bimini Bay Resort & Casino development.

Hosted by the Save the Bahamas Coalition, the new site can be seen at www.restrictbiminibayresort.org

June 25, 06 — Golf Course Plans Under Fire
Environmental groups are again taking aim at North Bimini's controversial Bimini Bay Resort & Casino development. The current attention is focused on the plans to include a Robert Trent Jones Jr. Golf Course as part of the resort. The golf course plans show North Bimini's northern tip being consumed by the course.

To see the latest campaign news from the Global Response- Environmental Action & Education Network, Click Here.

Back in 2000, the northern tip of North Bimini was shown as the western border for Bimini's proposed Marine Protected Area. Bimini was desginated as the highest  priority site in the entire Bahamas for a Marine Protected Area, unfortunately the reserve has not been officially established yet. Now, the Bimini Bay Resort & Casino seems to have alternate plans for this pristine wetland.

Please stay tuned to the BBFS website for more information on this issue. And Click Here for additional background information.

June 1, 06 — PIT 2006
2006 marks the thirteenth year of the BBFS's yearly PIT tagging census of the juvenile lemon sharks of Bimini. This year's PIT session will be photo-documented by long-time Shark Lab colleague, Matt Potenski. To view Matt's journal and photos of PIT 2006, please click the PIT 2006 sidebar on the right-side of this page.

May 30, 06 — Miami Beach Rod & Reel Club Fights for Bimini
One of the oldest, most famous fishing clubs in the world, the Miami Beach Rod & Reel Club, has just launched a new webpage blasting the Bimini Bay Resort & Casino development on North Bimini. To view this new, informative page Click Here.

And to read more about the Miami Beach Rod & Reel Club, please visit their website by Clicking Here.

May 23, 06 — Bimini's Elusive Dwarf Boa
Last night marked another first for the BBFS crew, when we found and captured one of Bimini's highly elusive Dwarf or Ground Boas (Tropidophis canus curtus). This is the first of this species that has ever been seen by anyone from the BBFS, and possibly the first official sighting of this sub-species in over 50 years. Amazingly, the individual that was captured was the second of the Dwarf Boas seen within about 30 minutes. The first snake was able to hide within a concrete wall, but just 20 feet away was another individual.

To read more about this fascinating, and very rare snake, please view our Reptiles of Bimini page.

New Photo posted on the Reptiles of Bimini page...

May 15, 06 — Shark Defense News
Mike Herrmann, one of the Shark Lab's colleagues at Shark Defense LLC, was recently awarded the top prize from the World Wildlife Fund in their contest to devise new ideas for better, more selective fishing. To read more about Mike's fantastic accomplishment, Click Here.

And for more news from the Shark Defense team, please view their website at www.sharkdefense.com

May 16, 06 — News Round-Up
The BBFS has had an extremely busy few weeks, hosting 2 shark biology courses, several film crews, and other guest researchers. Here is a quick run down of the latest happenings at the Shark Lab:

Dr. Peter Tolson taking data on a large Bimini Boa

Dr. Gruber with UNB students in the mangroves

Dirty Jobs host Mike Rowe

The BBFS's 22 ft AquaSport and a 351 cm Tiger Shark

April 19, 06 — "The Changing Face of Bimini"
The April, 2006 issue of Florida Sportsman magazine has a fantastic article titled, "The Changing Face of Bimini". Assistant editor Terry Gibson gives a vivid account of a recent fishing trip to Bimini and the amazing waters that have historically provided for those that rely on them, either for sport, recreation, or sustenance. Conversely, Gibson describes how Bimini has changed recently due to the tragedies that plagued the island over the last year, including Hurricane Wilma, the Chalk's plane crash, and the Compleat Angler fire.

While Bimini is recovering from these terrible events, the article states, there is another issue that has sportfishermen concerned. The article continues:

"Environmental news, however, is grim. Many fear the Bimini Bay development on North Bimini, by developer Gerardo Capo, will further degrade of destroy some of the reasons people love coming to the island - the flats, reefs and pelagic fisheries."

"Reportedly, conchs have disappeared and bonefish are few and far between. Nearly every species of fish that drives the Bimini economy depends upon grassflats at some life stage and usually during their most vulnerable, earliest juvenile stages."

In regards to the recent clearing of the North Sound's mangroves, the article explains,

"Studies in the Caribbean have proved that mangroves, which are habitats for older juveniles, strongly enhance fish populations on nearby coral reefs. The best of these studies, a 2004 report published in the journal Nature by Dr. Peter Mumby, found that "The biomass of several commercially important species is more than doubled when adult habitat is connected to mangroves.""

The article concludes with the advice of a Florida naturalist,

"If you love sport fishing, diving and the natural world, then don't buy into Bimini Bay."

To read the full article, please pick up the April issue of Florida Sportsman magazine, and check out their website at www.floridasportsman.com

April 16, 06 — Discovery Channel Visits

Doc & Dave Salmoni being filmed in the lab

This weekend, a team from the Discovery Channel made a visit to the Shark Lab to film for show to be part of this year's upcoming Shark Week.

Big cat expert Dave Salmoni, and crew, spent two days interviewing Dr. Gruber, and seeing the sharks of Bimini face-to-face. The footage filmed at the BBFS is for a show tentatively titled "Man-Eating Sharks : The Truth", and is set to air during late July's Shark Week. More details will be posted on our website as the date nears.

And on the 30th of April, Discovery will be coming back to film for their hit show, Dirty Jobs. Stay tuned to the BBFS website for more information.

April 7, 06 — Sharks of Bimini-101

Bimini All Ages School Grade 10

This week, the BBFS Staff was invited to give a presentation at the All Ages School on North Bimini showcasing the sharks of Bimini.

Mr. Francis' 10th Grade science class hosted BBFS lab managers Katie Grudecki & Grant Johnson for a 1 hour lecture about the different sharks found around Bimini, and why these animals are important to the island. The students were able to see large, detailed photos of all the different shark species, and were quite surprised to realize that all of the photos were taken right here in Bimini. The students had tons of questions to ask about these amazing sharks, and many walked away with a completely new understanding of them.

On Friday, the students visited the BBFS for a field trip, and were able to see live juvenile lemon sharks in our holding pens just off our back beach. In addition to the sharks and photographs here at the station, the students were eager to see the Bimini boa, and a few of the students even worked up the courage to hold this endemic snake for the first time in their lives.

All in all, it was a fantastic experience, especially for us at the Shark Lab.

A huge 'Thank You' to Mr. Francis and the 10th grade class of the Bimini All Ages School

April 6, 06 — 9-Year-Old Petitions For Bimini
A 9-year-old schoolboy from the U.K. has gathered almost 100 names for a petition to save the precious mangroves of Bimini.

To read the petition, written by young Josef Patton, please Click Here.

March 21, 06 — Bimini Boa Bonanza

Katie holding the catch of the day.

Bimini's beautiful endemic snake, the Bimini Boa, has been getting a bit of a public-opinion makeover lately. People who, just a few months back, would flee from or even kill the boas they encountered are now stopping by the BBFS to get their photo taken with one.

In order to help educate both locals and tourists about this amazing reptile, the BBFS has been tagging Bimini boas, and also have kept a rotating resident boa on site at the station. Visitors to the Shark Lab are now able to see, up close and personal, how amazing and important these snakes are. We have even had guests from Nassau, Bahamas stop by asking to see the snakes.

Yesterday, during a day-off, five members of the Shark Lab crew went hiking through the woods of East Bimini, an area of Bimini practically untouched by humans. Within two short hours, the BBFS had caught and tagged 4 new Bimini boas. To top off the day, after returning to South Bimini, a fifth boa was caught and tagged right off the side of the road near Bimini Sands.

The boas ranged in size from a small 63 cm juvenile, up to the 142 cm individual found on South Bimini. These five snakes officially doubled our collective database on the amazing Bimini Boa. For more information on this beautiful snake, Click Here.

March 18, 06 — "Working Hard to Help Preserve the Environment"
Roughly halfway up the western shore of Bimini's North Sound lagoon, hidden amongst the mangroves, a small creek curved back to a shallow pond where young lemon sharks could regularly be found in great numbers. In addition to the widely know benefits of the North Sound's mangroves, small creeks like this one provide additional refuge for young sharks and also play host to dozens of other marine and terrestrial animals. This hidden creek in the North Sound was an important site included in our recent study of the habitat utilization of lemon sharks. Unfortunately, this creek no longer exists, nor do any of the mangroves in the southern half of the North Sound's western shore.

Extending hundreds of feet into the lagoon waters, the tread mark scars of bulldozers lend insight as to the fate of this beautiful mangrove pond. Not only are the mangroves gone along the shoreline, but also well beneath the high-tide line.

The Bimini Bay Resort & Casino's development inches further and further every day, getting closer and closer to North Bimini's proposed Marine Protected Area's boundary. Foruntately, according to their website, the Bimini Bay Resort and Casino is "working hard to help preserve the environment."

In the foreground of the photo at left, a small lemon shark can be seen swimming in what used to be ideal habitat. Young lemon sharks, like the one in the photo, have a relatively small home range and rely on their environment to feed and protect them. In an area that used to be "teeming with life", this young shark will now have to find another home.

For more information on the Bimini Bay Resort & Casino's efforts to "preserve the natural wonders of Bimini", please visit their website by Clicking Here.

Hopefully the next phase of efforts to "preserve" the mangroves of Bimini will not include bulldozing them.

March 8, 06 — National Bird Visits Bimini

The Greater Flamingo, with the Sapona on the horizon.

The National Bird of the Bahamas, the Greater Flamingo (Phoenicopterus ruber), made a rare visit to South Bimini yesterday. This beautiful bird landed on the sand flats of Nixon's Harbor, just out back from the BBFS. Though the populations of flamingos are recovering on other islands in the Bahamas, they are a rare sight in Bimini. Only a handful of individual birds have been seen around the island in the last few years, including one sighted numerous times in Bimini's North Sound lagoon last year.

Bimini is home to many other beautiful & unique animals, and the BBFS has launched a new page to showcase some of them.
Check out the new Reptiles of Bimini page.

March 4, 06 — Great Hammerhead Tagged

The tagging crew following the Great Hammerhead (Sphyrna mokarran)

While Great Hammerheads (Sphyrna mokarran) are quite common around Bimini during the winter months, the BBFS has not successfully caught and tagged one in almost 5 years. Most of the Great Hammerheads around Bimini are quite large, well over 3 meters (TL), and manage to break the hooks when caught during our long-lining surveys. Our luck changed yesterday when a large (~330 cm TL) individual was spotted swimming near our long-line array.

Rather than risk the chance of losing the shark to a broken hook, or to the possibility of the shark not taking a hook at all, a crew from the BBFS drove out to Bimini's central lagoon, and lab manager Katie Grudecki was able to tag the free-swimming shark from a boat with a NMFS dart tag. While the exact length of the shark is unknown, the calm clear waters allowed the crew to photograph the animal extensively to get good estimations, and determine that it was female.

Tagging this individual will possibily lead to new information as to the movements, behavior and life history of this beautiful species of shark.

March 3, 06 — Development to be Scaled Back
The controversial Bimini Bay Resort & Casino has agreed to scale back their development yet again. In an article released by the Nassau Guardian, it is stated that developers "will forego usage of the controversial eco-sensitive land and will return it to the government and to the people of Bimini and The Bahamas".

It is not clearly defined exactly what the "controversial eco-sensitive land" is, but hopefully North & East Bimini's status as the highest priority Marine Protected Area in the Bahamas will finally be recognized as a result.

To read the article from the Nassau Guardian, Click Here.

For more information about this controversial issue, Click Here.

January 28, 06 — January in Review
Happy New Year from the Bimini Biological Field Station. The Sharklab has had a busy beginning to the year, and has subsequently fallen behind in updating our website. Here is a quick review of the Sharklab's News for January:

Update: As a response to the terrible fire this month on North Bimini, there has been an outpouring of support and the advent of an attempt to regain some of the history lost in the Compleat Angler blaze. Long-time visitor to the island, "Bimini" Bill Parks is leading the effort to compile copies of the photos that adorned the walls of the Angler, in order to donate the memories back to Bimini. Anyone who owns photographs, either digital or film, of the Compleat Angler Hotel is urged to send high resolution copies of their photos to Bill Parks, either by mail or e-mail. Any photos showing the inside, or outside, of this Bimini landmark are welcomed.

Bill Parks asks that any e mails sent to him be kept to between 5-10 megs, and that all photos sent are accompanied by a brief description of when they were taken, and by who.

Bill can be reached by e- mail at : bertram25@att.net

or regular mail at:
919 SW 27th Place
Boynton Beach, Florida 33435

Please help out if you can, for Bimini. December 20, 05 — Tragedy
The news of the tragic crash of the Chalk's seaplane near Miami Beach, FL has devastated people from around the globe, and has hit especially hard on the island of Bimini. Twelve individuals from Bimini perished in the crash.

To read more about the passengers in a recent article from the Freeport News,
Click Here .

And more from an article in the Palm Beach Post, Click Here.

The entire crew from the BBFS sends it's thoughts and prayers to all who are affected by this tragedy, and we offer our deepest condolences to the families of those lost in the crash.

December 15, 05 — Happy Holidays from the Sharklab
The BBFS is closing up for the holiday season, but will be back up and running starting January 2, 2006. We will start the year off hosting not one, but two courses. One from the University of Miami, and the other from Wild Eye, UK. Check the Courses page for more info.

The staff of the BBFS wants to wish everyone a happy holiday season, and all the best in 2006.

November 26, 05 — New Bimini Boa Photos Posted
The BBFS staff recently found two more specimens of Bimini's beautiful endemic snake species. This endangered snake has been getting some much deserved attention on the island lately, with many Biminites realizing the benefits of having this rodent eating reptile around.

To see some new photos of the Bimini boa and read a great article submitted by Peter Tolson of the Toledo Zoo, Click Here.

November 23, 05 — 'Boycott Threat Looms'
The Bahama Journal released a story today citing a potential boycott of Hilton Hotels. The boycott is aimed at bringing more attention to the hotel chain's involvement with the controversial develoment on North Bimini. Environmental organizations from around the globe have been pleading with the developer and the government of the Bahamas for years in attempts to preserve Bimini's mangrove wetlands. Additionally, more and more of the residents of Bimini are expressing their concerns for their island's ecology (See News item below).

To read the Bahama Journal's article Hilton Boycott Threat Looms, Click Here.

November 4, 05 — 'Bimini Residents Feel Betrayed'
The Nassau Guardian, one of the Bahamas biggest newspapers, recently published another article focusing on North Bimini's controversial development titled "Bimini Residents Feel Betrayed." Bimini's local District Council threatened to stage another protest outside the gates of the development if their concerns weren't addressed. One of the important points made by the Council in the report, is that the development is having a large negative impact on Bimini's precious environment. A local fishing guide is quoted, adding that due to the ecological damage from the project, "conchs have disappeared, and the amount of fish depleted from the flats."

To read the article, Click Here.

The Bimini Beach Club

November 1, 05 — Hurricane Wilma Hits Bimini
Last week's hurricane, Wilma, battered the Bimini islands as it passed through Florida and swung out into the Atlantic ocean. The most severe damage occurred on South Bimini's western shore, where several homes and buildings were destroyed by the pounding waves. One of the biggest hits from Wilma came to the Bimini Beach Club hotel, a building that has stood on South Bimini's south-western corner for decades.

The flooded front yard

The damage at the Sharklab was less severe, fortunately. High winds and surging waters made more of a mess than anything. There was some minor damage to the roof, dock, boat ramp, and one of our storage sheds was blown away.
The good news is that no one on Bimini was hurt during the storm, and while the power has been knocked out for the past week, the huge clean-up and rebuilding process is already well underway.

October 11, 05 — The Elusive Bimini Boa
The BBFS website has added a new page dedicated to the elusive Bimini Boa constrictor. The Bimini Boa is a snake endemic to the Bimini islands and, like Bimini's marine animals, is facing serious threats due to the development on North Bimini.

To read more about the amazing Bimini Boa, Click Here.

The BBFS would like to thank Peter J. Tolson, of the Toledo Zoo, for contributing his time and knowledge of the Bimini Boa.

September 12, 05 — Update on Bimini Development

More and more individuals and organizations get involved everyday, and more and more evidence mounts to support what people have been saying all along, that Bimini s mangrove nurseries need to be protected...yet the destruction continues.

At the forefront of the questions of 'prevention and reconstruction' following Hurricane Katrina's devastation of the American Gulf coast, was the belief that America's wetlands need to be restored to protect coastal cities from such crippling storm damage and erosion... yet Bimini's healthy mangrove wetland is slated to be destroyed.

In January of 2000, the Bahamas government declared it's intention to create a network of permanent Marine Protected Areas throughout the country, and on a prioritized list of over 30 sites declared North Bimini number 1 ... yet the Bimini Bay Resort and Casino's Land Use Plan shows this area turned into a golf course and residential housing area.

The contrast in ideas about what is best for Bimini could not be greater.

Recently, more and more publicity has arisen concerning this issue, but no one is quite sure of the effect.

The Shark Trust has been very vocal in it's efforts to maintain Bimini's ecological integrity, and recently has pushed this issue further forward.
To read the latest from the Shark Trust, Bimini Destruction Press Release - Click Here

The BBFS's Dr. Samuel Gruber recently resigned from the Bahamas National Trust in protest to the continued destruction on Bimini. The BNT is a non-governmental orgranization mandated with the conservation of the natural and historic resources of the Bahamas. Dr. Gruber had been a BNT council member for 16 years.
To read Dr. Gruber's resignation letter, Click Here.

And read a recent article concerning the Bimini development from Bahamas newspaper the Nassau Guardian, Click Here.

Read more about how you can help Protect Bimini.

August 30, 05 — Bimini in Washington Post
The Washington Post has just published an article on the current threats facing many marine species. Development on Bimini was one of the key issues they looked at in this front page feature.

To view the text of the article Click Here.

August 21, 05 — PIT Tagging Program in Marquesas Key is Currently Underway
Dr. Gruber and a team of volunteers are conducting thier annual research off Marquesas Key, a small island about 30 miles west of Key West, FL. During the week of August 21 to the 27, they will catch, tag, and release several juvenile and sub-adult lemon sharks in the area.

More information will be posted once Dr. Gruber and his crew returns.

August 14, 05 — Tourism Concern focused on Bimini
Tourism Concern, an organization based out of the UK, has just begun a campaign urging tourists to voice their concern about the destruction happening on North Bimini due to development.

To join their campaign, Click Here.

And for more information on this extremely important issue, and how you can help, please Click Here.

July 22, 05 — BBFS in National Geographic News
National Geographic News has just posted an article on work being conducted by Dr. Gruber and the BBFS crew in the waters off Florida, USA.

To see the article Click Here.

July 19, 05 — New 'Save Bimini' Poster Unveiled
Global Response Environmental Action & Education Network has just unveiled a new poster to bring attention to the huge threats facing the Bimini islands. Bimini's pristine marine habitats are being destroyed as you read this, jeopardizing one of the most ecologically important areas in the Bahamas. The more attention this issue recieves, the more likely it will end favorably for the people and wildlife of Bimini.

The poster shown below can be purchased through Global Response by clicking here. The image is also available on t-shirts and postcards.

July 12, 05 — BBFS Featured on Discovery's Shark Week
The Discovery Channel's annual Shark Week starts this Sunday, July 17, 2005. A two-hour Mythbusters - Jaws Special, featuring footage shot at the Bimini Biological Field Station, will start off the week of shark programs.

To read about the Mythbusters visit to the Sharklab, Click here, and be sure to tune into this years Shark Week on the Discovery channel.

Tread marks in the mud that used to be mangroves.

July 7, 05 — Bulldozing Bimini's Mangroves
Despite years of opposition from concerned people from around the globe, despite enormous evidence of the area's ecological importance, and despite a recent outcry from the people of Bimini, in the last week the Bimini Bay Resort and Casino has begun removing the mangroves from North Bimini's North Sound lagoon. One of the most ecologically important areas in Bahamas is being torn apart to accomodate the development of condominiums and a casino.

Piles of mangroves torn from the ground pushed aside for later disposal

Recent meetings held on North Bimini concerning this development left many people on the island feeling secure that Bimini's precious ecology would not be traded for gambling and marina space for foreigners. Now there is a feeling of desperation.

These photos show what used to be a mangrove forest. What appears to be large clusters of spared mangroves, are actually no more than piles of mangroves torn from the ground and pushed aside. Hundreds of meters of the North Sound's shoreline has been permanently destroyed, but a larger area of mangroves still remains, for now.

This has come as devastating news to a growing number of people from around the world that have pleaded for the protection of this area, but all is not lost. Anyone concerned with this issue is urged to get involved, there is still time to Protect Bimini.

June 11, 05 — PIT 2005 is Underway
The BBFS is currently underway with the 11th consecutive year of our annual PIT Tagging Program. Over 100 juvenile lemon sharks have already been caught and tagged in the first few days of this year's study.

Stay tuned to the BBFS website for more photos, information, and updates on PIT 2005.

And to read more about our PIT Tagging Program, Click Here.

Biminites form a blockade outside Bimini Bay Resort

May 23, 05 — Biminites "Take a Stand For Their Land"
Today in Bimini, a crowd gathered at the gate to the Bimini Bay Resort & Casino to peacefully protest. Biminites both young and old stood together to show their solidarity in opposing the loss of "their land" to foreign developers.
The first order of business for the demonstration was to create a roadblock. A large number of Biminites have become enraged that their own island is being cut off from them by a large, guarded gate that leads to the development area. The protesters decided that if they were not going to be let on the northern ~70% of their home island, then they weren't going to allow anyone from Bimini Bay to the piece of the island they still felt in control of, Porgy Bay, Bailey Town & Alice Town. A small stage was set up, with accompanying tents, right in the middle of the entrance road to the resort, and a bulldozer parked behind the stage set the backdrop to the barricade.

Headline: 'Bay Blockade Planned'

Once the crowd had gathered, and the Bahamian media had arrived, local Reverends, Pastors, Council Members, and citizens gave passionate speeches expressing their frustrations and concerns about how the development is threatening their way of life. Among the issues of greatest concern were the lack of jobs created thus-far for Bahamians, the restricted access Biminites will have to the majority of land on North Bimini, and the destruction that the islands' environment & natural resources will face, both on land and in the sea. Biminites vowed to repeatedly demonstrate until they were listened to, both by the developers and by governement officials in the Bahamas.

Updates:

Read an article about the Bimini Demonstration from the Nassau Guardian newspaper.

Freeport News reports on Monday's Demonstration, Click Here

Nassau Guardian reports - Officials gather in Bimini in response to Monday's Demonstration, Click Here.

May 14, 05 — CCU Course a Wild Success
The BBFS just finished 2005's wildly successful Field Studies in Shark Biology from Coastal Carolina University. To read a brief review of this year's course, Click Here.

May 9, 05 — Bimini in the News Again
NBC News 6 in South Florida aired a story about the island of Bimini, and the BBFS Sharklab last night. To see this latest story, check out the NBC 6 website by clicking Here.

May 8, 05 — CCU Course Starts Today
Starting today the Sharklab will be hosting the yearly Field Studies in Shark Biology course from Coastal Carolina University. Professors Dr. Dan Abel, Dr. Dean Grubbs, and Dr. Samuel Gruber will be leading this years course, teaching the students everything they need to know about the sharks of the world, both past and present. For more information on this course, check out the Courses page of our website. And stayed tuned to the BBFS website for more photos and updates from this years course.

May 4, 05 — New Boating & Cruising Guide for Bimini
Vantage Point Boating & Cruising Guides have just released the updated 2nd edition of the Bimini Cruising Guide. This book is "the only in-depth guide for Bimini in the Bahamas," covering everything from fishing spots to restaurants, travel information to out-of-the-way local hang-outs. The new cruising guide also has a great article on the Sharklab, and the work we do in Bimini.

The new Vantage Point Boating & Cruising Guide can be picked up at several shops around Bimini, or you can check our their website for more information by clicking here.

The BBFS wants to extend a special 'Thank You' to Dave Kresge and Dorie Cox from Vantage Point, for their support of the Sharklab and the island of Bimini.

April 8, 05 — More Articles Concerned for Bimini
More and more people, magazines, and websites are showing their concern for Bimini's precious ecology. In recent months, dozens of articles have been written in response to the ongoing development on North Bimini, and in favor of establishing the development area as a Marine Reserve, as proposed by the Bahamian Government. Please check out the latest news on this issue in the links below:

Award-winning author Lynne Cherry recently visited Bimini, and the BBFS. She has posted her concern for Bimini's mangroves on her website.
To read the article Click Here.

The Shark Trust and the Bahamas Tribune recently discussed the problems facing Bimini as well. To see the latest news from the Shark Trust Click Here.

The article is titled Lemon Sharks Under Threat

March 22, 05 — DIVE Magazine (UK) Features News from Bimini
DIVE Magazine, from the United Kingdom, is currently featuring an article titled Lemon Sharks Under Threat. This article describes the serious and immediate jeopardy that Bimini's marine wildlife is facing. Please pick up the latest issue of DIVE Magazine to read the full article.

And to read more about the issue detailed in this magazine article, see the News item listed below.

And for more information on how you can help Protect Bimini, Click Here.

February 28, 05 — Concern for Bimini's Ecology Gaining Momentum
The Shark Trust and Pew Institute for Ocean Science, two international organizations dedicated to marine conservation, are helping raise awareness to the plight of Bimini's precious ecology. Their websites currently feature several articles on Bimini, and the work being done by the BBFS. The preservation of the North Sound lagoon on North Bimini, and protection of the endangered smalltooth sawfish (P. pecinata) are two key issues addressed by the Trust and Pew Institute towards Bimini.

Update : More Sites Carrying Bimini Story -
Shark Diver Magazine - www.sharkdivermag.com

Dr. Gruber ready to search for the lemons

February 27, 05 — Dr. Gruber & Crew Featured in Miami Herald Article
The Miami Herald has just published an article about work that Dr. Gruber has been conducting in the waters off Jupiter, FL. Over the past few weeks, Doc and a small crew have been trying to locate and tag large lemon sharks that are a part of a myterious aggregation. Herald reporter Sue Cocking tagged along for two days to cover the story. To read the article Click Here

Discovery filming the shark repellent tests in Bimini

February 1, 05 — BBFS Feature Coming up on Discovery
The BBFS and our colleagues at Shark Defense Inc. will be featured on an upcoming show on the Discovery Channel. The piece is set to air on February 11, 2005 on the 8:00 pm EST episode of Discoveries This Week. Underwater Directors of Photography Gavin McKinney & J.P. Genasi, along with Ian Connacher of Discovery (Cananda) visited the Sharklab in November of 2004, and already aired a similar piece on Discovery (Canada).

Be sure to tune in to see the BBFS and Shark Defense Inc.!

January 17, 05 — Volunteer Recruitment for 2005 is Currently Underway
The Bimini Biological Field Station is eagerly accepting applications for volunteers to join our team in 2005. Check out our Volunteer Information page if you are interested in getting involved, and check out the rest of the website to see what you can expect working at the Sharklab in Bimini, Bahamas.

The students and crew head off on a field trip

January 10, 05 — BBFS Currently Hosting University of Miami Marine Biology Course
The Sharklab is currently hosting a Marine Field Biology course from the University of Miami. From January 5 - January 14, fifteen students will be participating in this in depth course. Students are lectured on various marine habitats and ecosystems, and then taken in the field to see these areas for themselves. More photos and information will be posted soon.

December 15, 04 — Happy Holidays From the BBFS Crew
The Bimini Biological Field Station will be closed from December 15, 2004 until January 4, 2005. Feel free to contact Dr. Gruber, or any of the staff, by e mail during this time if you have any questions or comments.
The BBFS will start the new year by hosting a marine biology field course from the University of Miami. More information and photos about the course will be posted in the new year.

December 8, 04 — More Controversy About Bimini Development
The Bimini Bay Resort & Casino, a highly controversial development on North Bimini, is making headlines in the news. The Nassau Guardian published two articles recently about the renewed controversy surrounding the resort.

MythBusters host Jamie Hyneman relaxes in the BBFS golf cart

December 1, 04 — Discovery Channel's MythBusters Filming at the Sharklab
The MythBusters finished shooting at the BBFS today for their upcoming show about shark myths. The episode will air as part of Discovery Channel's "Shark Week" in July of 2005. Click the side bar at right for more information about the MythBusters stay at the Sharklab.

The MythBusters Crew and Dr. Gruber testing two small lemon sharks

November 28, 04 — Discovery Channel's MythBusters Filming at the Sharklab
The Discovery Channel's hit show MythBusters is filming at the BBFS for an upcoming show. Adam Savage, Jamie Hyneman, Kari Byron and crew came to the Sharklab to test the "myth" that sharks can detect a drop of blood in a swimming pool. For the next few days they will be running experiments with lemon sharks on site at the BBFS. More photos and information will be posted soon.

November 20, 04 — ABC News Filming at the BBFS
A crew from ABC News was filming in Bimini today for upcoming stories on the chemical shark repellents being developed by Shark Defense and the BBFS. Eric Stroud and Mike Hermann of Shark Defense, along with Dr. Gruber from the BBFS, sat down for an interview with ABC News correspondent Jeffery Kofman to explain the possibilities and potential of their new chemical shark repellent. The News crew also came out with the BBFS to witness the repellents in action, with tests done on Nurse sharks, Lemon sharks, Blacknose sharks, and Caribbean Reef sharks. We will post more information, as to when the show will air, soon.

November 19, 04 — Discovery (Canada) & Shark Defense Filming at the BBFS
Underwater Directors of Photography Gavin McKinney & J.P. Genasi, along with Ian Connacher of Discovery (Cananda) were filming at the BBFS for an upcoming feature on the shark repellents being developed by Shark Defense Inc. Shark Defense and the BBFS have been working closely together over the last 2 years developing and testing chemical shark repellents. The film crew was documenting 2 repellent tests for an upcoming episode of the show Daily Planet. We will post more information, as to when the show will air, soon.

November 7, 04 — 11 1/2 Foot Tiger Shark Killed by Anglers
A group of fishermen visiting Bimini from Michigan, USA caught and killed an 11 ½ foot (351 cm) male Tiger Shark (Galeocerdo cuvier) today. The shark carcass was brought back to The Big Game Fishing Club and weighed in at 659 pounds. The fishermen took only the head and claspers as souvenirs.

November 6, 04 — BBFS Catches Second Sub-Adult Bull Shark of the Year
A crew set out today to catch sub-adult lemon sharks on rod & reel, but instead caught a sub-adult bull shark. For just over a year, the BBFS has been using rod & reel fishing as an additional way to catch larger sharks for our research. Today's catch is only the second small sub-adult bull shark ever caught by the BBFS, the first was caught in July of this year. Today's individual was a small male, reaching a total length of 139 cm. These two captures represent potentially valuable information about the life history of bull sharks in the Bahamas. Tracking data of other Bahamian bull sharks indicates that they swim to Florida, USA to give their pups in or near rivers. While they both are years past being new-born sharks, these two bull shark captures indicate either that there are pupping grounds near Bimini, or that these young sharks are capable of relatively long migrations after just a few years.

October 24, 04 — BBFS Recaptures Smalltooth Sawfish
The BBFS crew recaptured the sawfish that was caught earlier this month in the North Sound. A tracking crew in the Sound spotted two smalltooth sawfish swimming in the shallow waters of the lagoon. Another boat met them on the water and was able to catch one of the sawfish, which was identified by its tag as the the individual caught in early October. Unfortunately the other sawfish was not spotted again. See the News item below for information on the initial capture of this endangered animal.

Bryan preparing to release the tagged sawfish

October 6, 04 — The BBFS captured, tagged, and released a Smalltooth Sawfish Today...Again
For the second time in 6 months, the crew from the BBFS was able to safely capture, tag, and release a Smalltooth Sawfish. The sawfish caught today was entangled in a gillnet that was set out for juvenile lemon sharks. It was measured at a total length of 253 cm (~8' 3"), and tagged with the same NMFS tag we use on the large sharks we work with.
This capture is of significant importance due to where the sawfish was caught, the North Sound lagoon on North Bimini. The North Sound is one of the most important marine nurseries in the Bahamas, and is slated to be a part of the Bahamian Marine Reserve Program. The fact that this lagoon also provides habitat for smalltooth sawfish, an endangered species, amplifies the importance to protect this area.
Read more about protecting the North Sound.

The BBFS Staff surveying the storm

September 25, 04 — Hurricane Jeanne Spares Bimini Any Serious Damage.
The second hurricane in just weeks to pass Bimini, Hurricane Jeanne, spared the island any serious damage. The BBFS crew prepared the Sharklab for the impending winds in the days before the hurricane, and weathered the storm at the Scuba Bimini Dive Resort on South Bimini. The BBFS would like to thank Scuba Bimini for their help and hospitality during Hurricane Jeanne.

September 18, 04 — BBFS Crew Safely Back in Bimini
The BBFS staff and volunteers have returned to Bimini and resumed work. The entire crew was evacuated due to Hurricane Frances. There was no serious storm damage to Bimini, and after a lengthy clean-up, the crew was able to resume with work. The Sharklab crew wants to thank everyone who contacted us for their concern.

September 2, 04 — The BBFS Has Been Evacuated
The BBFS has been evacuated due to the threat of Hurricane Frances. All of the staff and volunteers at the Sharklab are safe and sound at Dr. Gruber's home in Miami, FL. More news will be posted once the staff returns to Bimini.

August 3, 04 — Help Protect Bimini
Bimini hosted a public meeting to discuss the proposed Marine Reserve on North Bimini today. The meeting was presented by the Bahamas Reef Environment Educational Foundation (BREEF) and the Bahamas Dept. of Fisheries. Several speakers espoused the benefits of implementing the Reserve, and Biminites were encouraged to voice their opinions on the matter.
The main concern of discussions quickly became the controversial development on North Bimini, the Bimini Bay Resort & Casino. There was an overwhelming desire to get the Bimini Marine Reserve established, which would serve to protect North Bimini's valuable marine nurseries.
More information on how you can help Protect Bimini.

August 1, 04 — Shark Repellent Making Headlines
Researchers Eric Stroud and Mike Herrmann from Shark Defense Inc. have developed a chemical shark repellent that is making headlines around the world. Eric & Mike have been working closely with the BBFS for the last two years, testing their repellents on Caribbean Reef Sharks, Nurse Sharks, Lemon Sharks, Blacknose Sharks, and Bull Sharks around Bimini. Shark Defense and the BBFS have been featured in National Geographic News and an Associated Press article shown on MSN News, Yahoo News, CNN.com and newspapers around the globe.

July 22, 04 — BBFS Longline Catch for July
The Sharklab recently completed our latest 24 hour longline set, catching 13 sharks in total. Among the sharks caught was a 125 cm Bull Shark (C. leucas), which is by far the smallest bull ever seen or caught by the BBFS. A 109 cm Tiger Shark (G.cuvier) was also caught, the second smallest ever caught by the Sharklab. While hauling the lines back, a 287 cm Tiger Shark was seen taking a hook, the shark then bit through the line and escaped with a length of leader wire wrapped around it's head. The shark was recaught by lassoing the tail, it was then tagged and released free of any hooks or wire. The last shark of the set was a 227 cm Bull Shark that was caught on a line set right out back from the BBFS channel.

July 3, 04 — Trophy Fishing in Bimini
South Florida anglers visiting Bimini for the 4th of July weekend caught and killed an 11’ 11” female great hammerhead (Sphyrna mokarran) today. After removing the jaw for a trophy, and cutting the fins off, the anglers discarded the remains of this 400 + lb. shark.
Studies show that Hammerhead populations in the North Atlantic have decreased by 89% since 1986.

June 25, 04 — PIT 2004 A Huge Success
The 2004 BBFS PIT Tagging Program was a huge success. This was the 10th consecutive year of this project. Click the side bar on the right side of this page for more photos and information.

May 26, 04 — The BBFS captured, tagged, and released a Smalltooth Sawfish Today
While out tracking a sub-adult lemon shark today, one of our crews spotted one of the rarest fish in the oceans, the Smalltooth Sawfish. The entire BBFS crew raced out to see this amazing animal, only the 5th one seen by BBFS staff in the last 3 years.
The sawfish was caught by one of the staff swimming behind it, and lassoing the tail. The sawfish was then measured (268 cm / 8 ft. 8 inch Total Length), tagged, and released safely. More photos will be posted soon.

May 17, 04 — The BBFS Sharklab Website has been completely renovated and updated.
The Bimini Biological Field Station website has been completely renovated and updated. Take some time to look around at all the new photos and information. The site will be updated regularly to keep everyone posted on what's going on at the Sharklab. The new website is courtesy of Marc Bloomquist.

May 17, 04 — Volunteer recruitment for 2004 is currently under way.
Dr. S.H. Gruber is currently accepting applications for volunteer positions at the BBFS Sharklab. Check the Volunteer Info page for more information concerning volunteer opportunities at the Sharklab in Bimini.

April 15, 04 — The annual American Elasmobranch Society meeting is coming up in May.
The annual meeting for the American Elasmobranch Society (AES) is coming up this May, 2004. For more information about the AES meeting, go to the American Elasmobranch Society website.

Byran pulling in the shark

April 15, 04 — A sub-adult lemon shark was caught off the BBFS dock and added into our current study.
A small sub-adult lemon shark (119 cm Total Length) was recently caught right off the dock at the Sharklab. The shark was the ideal size to include in Bryan Frank's tracking work, so it was given a transmitter and added to the study. For more information on Bryan's tracking work, see the Research Page.