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RESEARCH  |  EDUCATION  |  CONSERVATION

Rain or shine, every day was either making progress or making memories!

- Shane White
2021 Intern

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SHARK LAB
INTERNSHIPS

The Shark Lab is seeking highly motivated, hard-working people with a desire to gain experience with marine fauna and flora. Interns are integrated into all aspects of the station's workload – alongside field activities, they are expected to assist with fixing equipment, cleaning the facilities, and cooking family-style meals. Not only do interns gain practical skills and knowledge throughout their time, but they are given the opportunity to obtain connections in a diversity of disciplines, including photography and cinematography, research, education and more. We believe that interning at the field station is a life-changing experience that not only develops scientists but also helps to create well-rounded people, with a drive and passion to succeed in whatever path they choose to follow!

You must be 18 years of age or older to intern with us.

ABOUT THE INTERNSHIP

IMPORTANT INFORMATION REGARDING RESEARCH IN THE BAHAMAS:
 

The research permitting processes in the Bahamas has changed. Some internship periods may include hands-on research, however due to the logistics involved, this is not a guarantee for every placement.  Before you submit an application to intern at the BBFSF, please be aware that research activities are organized according to the station schedule, weather and other factors, and we may be unable to tell you if there is research planned during your availability.

 

Still, there are many practical experiences the Shark Lab provides during each internship, such as learning how to operate at a remote field station and various research, education, and outreach experiences.

Field Techniques and Activities:

  • Boating, knots, and navigation classes

  • Potential field activities:

    • Interacting with juvenile lemon sharks in pristine mangrove habitat 

    • Snorkeling and freediving with Caribbean reef sharks, blacktip sharks, lemon sharks and nurse sharks

    • Interacting with southern stingrays on a white sand beaches

    • Snorkeling and freediving with Great Hammerhead sharks during the winter months

    • Snorkeling a variety of coral reef, mangrove and seagrass habitats

    • Snorkeling with sea turtles at the famous SS Sapona shipwreck

    • Potential encounters with spotted eagle rays, Atlantic spotted dolphins, or bottlenose dolphins and more marine wildlife

  • Fishing (trolling, spearing, spinning rod, etc.)

  • Snorkeling & Freediving (we do not do SCUBA)

  • In-water & boating safety training

  • Tour of North Bimini

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Lectures:

  • History of the Bimini Biological Field Station

  • History of the Bahamas

  • Project lectures

  • Maps and Navigation of Bimini and surrounding areas

  • Photo ID of Great Hammerheads

  • Species ID

  • Ecology and Evolution of Elasmobranchs

  • Thorough shark "workup" lesson and demonstration with our model hammerhead

 

Workshops:

  • CV/resume building

  • Interview processes and tips

  • Graduate school processes and applications

  • Outreach and education

  • Photos and video editing instruction and demonstration 

 

Miscellaneous skills:

  • Networking and relationship building as you work and live alongside future marine scientists but also by interacting with various groups, courses, production crews, etc. who visit the station

  • Remote field station maintenance

  • Mechanical troubleshooting

  • Public speaking and science communication via tours, classroom/school visits and outreach experiences

  • Scientific writing opportunities through blog writing

  • Cooking for large number of people