NAME A SHARK
Shark adoption donations
Adopting a shark is one of the easiest ways to support our research! Every single shark we catch is worked up, tagged and sampled. The Shark Lab has been collecting data consistently for 30 years, and this consistency has allowed us to have one of the most robust and long-term data sets of sharks in the world!
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Your adopted shark will be a UNIQUE and INDIVIDUAL shark: No one else in the world will have the same tagged shark as you!
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In an effort to remain environmentally friendly all certificates will be sent as an image file to your email address.
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Tax Deductible — The Bimini Biological Field Station Foundation is a USA 501(c)3 non-profit organization and all donations are tax deductible as appropriate by law.
BRONZE LEVEL
In return for a $50 'Bronze Level' donation you will be able to NAME your very own juvenile lemon shark & will receive our donation pack!
The lemon sharks of Bimini have been studied by the Lab for over 3 decades! We conduct a population survey annually and have an ongoing DNA "Family Tree" project for these special sharks!
We will send you a certificate of your juvenile lemon shark's information including:
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Shark's NAME & PHOTOGRAPH
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Individual PIT Identification number
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Sex & measurements of your shark
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Approximate age
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Capture information
GOLD LEVEL
In return for a $350 'Gold Level' donation you will be able to NAME your very own shark which we will tag with an acoustic transmitter!
Acoustic transmitters are invaluable in studying the sharks of Bimini. Depending on our research schedule, your shark could be a tiger, lemon, Caribbean reef or bull shark! We don't know what species of shark we get until we catch it for you!
We will send you a certificate of your own shark's information including:
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Shark's NAME & PHOTOGRAPH
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Individual PIT & NMFS tag identification number
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Acoustic transmitter number
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Sex & measurements of your shark
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Location and movement information
Please note: these tags are only put out on research-specific and size-specific sharks so the wait for your shark may be a little longer at times. If you would like the adoption package by a certain date, please contact media@biminisharklab.com.
ROSE GOLD LEVEL
In return for a $500 'Rose Gold Level' donation you will be able to sponsor one of Bimini's FAMOUS
Great Hammerhead sharks!
The Great Hammerheads of Bimini are world famous and have been documented annually by the Shark Lab for a decade. You will be sponsoring either a KNOWN individual hammerhead or a NEW ARRIVAL!
We will send you a certificate of your sponsored shark's information including:
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Shark's NAME (our Hammerheads are named after Greek Gods and Goddesses) & PHOTOGRAPH
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Individual identification information
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Acoustic transmitter number
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Sex & measurements of your shark
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Details on your shark’s behaviour and feeding habits
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Updates on sightings and movement patterns around Bimini
Your Great Hammerhead sponsorship will help support our Project Leader Vital Hiem's PhD Research Project.
PLATINUM LEVEL
In return for a $2,000 'Platinum Level' donation you will actually purchase a SATELLITE TAG and satellite time for our TIGER SHARK or GREAT HAMMERHEAD projects!
Satellite tags play a crucial role in our shark research and help our Principal Investigators assess regional movement and identify important pupping/nursery grounds for highly mobile shark species.
You will receive a certificate with all of your shark’s capture and identification data as well as:
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Link for REAL TIME updates on satellite transmissions for the duration of the tag's battery life (4-12 months)
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Project information package
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Personal phone/Skype call from Shark Lab President Matt Smukall or Project Leader Vital Heim to discuss your shark and the research project and answer your questions
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PHOTOGRAPHS of your shark
DIAMOND LEVEL
In return for the 'Diamond Level', our highest donation option of $10,000 you will be able to visit the station and choose from a selection of activities and research techniques to get involved in!
Two people three day visit to the station - including accommodation at a nearby beachfront holiday apartment. Choose from (time of year dependent):
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Caribbean reef shark feed and snorkel
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Great hammerhead freediving
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Shallow water longlining for tigers, blacktips, lemons and more.
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Catching and tagging adult bull sharks
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Hand feeding wild juvenile lemon sharks in a pristine mangrove lagoon
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Deep water longline for adult tiger sharks
Please contact admin@biminisharklab.com to plan your trip or ask any questions regarding this donation