5 Great Beaches Around Sanibel

Photo taken by Elly Rundqwist at Captiva Island. 

A guest post by Elly Rundqwist, one of our summer camp CITs. Thanks Elly!

When searching for the perfect place to spend the day on Sanibel Island, the right beach is always just around the corner!  Whether you’re looking for a crowd of colorful beach umbrellas or a sliver of paradise left peaceful and undisturbed, there’s something for everyone here.  Here are five local beaches and why we love them:

 1. Beach Access #7

Grab your bike and head to the west end of the island, because Beach Access #7 on West Gulf Drive is the perfect stretch of beach to spend an afternoon. Fringed by leaning palm trees, you’re sure to find plenty of shells to fill your bag to the brim here, and it’s a great spot for sunset viewing.  If you’re a water bug, try looking for large horse conchs in the shallows! Check out the other West Gulf beach accesses as well!

 2. Lighthouse Beach

The Sanibel lighthouse was built in 1884 and is still functioning. People come from all around to picnic, fish, and float in the water at this beach. Since it’s located at the easternmost tip of the island, you can see gulf transition to bay. As you loop around, look for a distinct change in water color. It’s also a great beach for shelling and observing live shells on the sandbars at low tide.

3.  Blind Pass Beaches

Also known as Turner Beach – it’s the area around Blind Pass, which is located between Sanibel and Captiva.  You can island hop as much as you please, listen to cars echo as they drive over the bridge, or cast a line off the seawall.  Due to fast currents, there are many shells, and during storms it’s a popular spot for surfers.

4.  Bunche Beach

Located on the mainland just a mile or so before the causeway, Bunche Beach is one of the best natural mudflats in our area.  With mangrove forests, long beaches, and salt flats, the area is a great place to see wildlife at it’s finest – birds, fiddler crabs, and King’s Crown conchs abound.  Be sure to bring water shoes and a camera, for you never really know what you’ll wander upon.  

5.    Bailey Beach

Bailey Beach has one of the best views of the causeway Sanibel has to offer! Perfect for spotting dolphins and fishing, there is always an adventure in store here. Being one of the only beaches on the bay side of the island, it offers unique sand and shells.  Keep an eye out for the resident gopher tortoises while you’re here! 

Gyotaku (Japanese 魚拓, from gyo "fish" + taku "rubbing")

Fisherfolk since the beginning of time have been searching for ways to show off their prize catch – proof that they really did reel in that 1500 lb. bluefin tuna. So what was a fisherman (or woman!) to do before the dawn of the iPhone camera?

In 19th century Japan, the answer was simple (although slightly difficult to pronounce) – gyotaku. Beginning in the mid-1800s, Japanese fishermen used the technique of carefully applying sumi ink to their best fish, then pressing the fish on rice paper to create an incredibly detailed and life-like print. Sumi ink is non-toxic and flavorless, so the fish could still be eaten after the print was made.

Historical gyotaku prints provide an excellent record of which creatures inhabited the seas around Japan in years past, and how our oceans have changed. For example, the average fish size has decreased since the 1800s for most commercially fished species.

Today, gyotaku artists continue the tradition of fish printing throughout the world. Some now use colored inks to replicate the natural colors of the fish, but others remain true to gyotaku’s roots with classic black sumi ink. We think both are beautiful – enjoy the gallery below. 

Fun Fish Friday - Atlantic goliath grouper

What animal is as large as a refrigerator, spotted and striped, and enjoys dining on spiny lobster? That’s right – The Atlantic goliath grouper! This fascinating giant is next up in our “Fun Fish Friday” series because they are one of our favorite fish here at Sanibel Sea School. Here’s why:

Atlantic goliath grouper are huge. As their name suggests, these fish can reach lengths of 8 feet and weigh up to 800 pounds – that’s about 100 pounds per foot! These hefty fish aren’t afraid to use their size to their advantage either. By contracting the muscles around their swim bladder, they are able to stun their prey with a sonic blast. In addition to lobsters and other crustaceans, they like to chow down on octopus, small sea turtles, and stingrays. Goliath grouper also have 3-5 rows of teeth that aren’t used for chewing, but instead for catching prey and keeping it in their large mouth!

A SCUBA diver with a goliath grouper.

Grouper (and their cousins the sea basses) have a unique characteristic to their family in which they spend part of their life as both male and female. This is called sequential hermaphroditism. When environmental cues are just right, female grouper transition to male, but we aren’t positive when exactly this occurs during development, or why. Once the males and females mature, a massive offshore spawning of over 100 individuals occurs where eggs and sperm are released into the water for fertilization.

Due to its popularity as seafood and as a target for sportfishermen, the Atlantic Goliath Grouper declined rapidly in past years, and is now a federally protected species listed as “Critically Endangered” by the World Conservation Union. It is illegal to harvest this fish and if accidentally caught, it is to be returned quickly and unharmed to the sea. We are optimistic that these strict regulations will bring the population numbers of these outstanding fish back up, so that we can enjoy their beauty for generations to come. 

A small goliath grouper caught (and promptly released) by a Sanibel Sea School staff member!

5 Ways to protect sea turtles

This week's post is by high school intern Adam Tardif, in collaboration with Nicole Finnicum. Thanks Adam!

Here on Sanibel, we all love our sea turtles, and we want to make sure that we are good neighbors to them. As the sea turtle nesting season begins, it is important to realize that humans can sometimes disturb the nesting process without even realizing it. Here are five things you can do as an individual to help in the effort to protect sea turtles:

1. Don't litter. Large pieces of litter can act as a physical barrier to sea turtles searching for the perfect nesting site. Also, trash floating in the ocean (plastic bags, Styrofoam, plastic bottles, fishing lures, etc.) can resemble common sea turtle food items, and if ingested can cause turtles to choke or experience digestive disturbances – not much fun for these magnificent creatures. But perhaps the best reason not to litter is that you will feel good knowing that you have helped to make Sanibel a safer place for wildlife.

Plastic bags floating in the ocean may resemble jellyfish, a common prey item for leatherback sea turtles. To help solve this problem, opt for reusable bags when you shop.

2. Turn your lights off at night (especially if you live on the beach). Artificial lights can be distracting to adult sea turtles that are nesting – they have the most nesting success in just the light of the moon. Also, hatchling turtles will crawl towards the brightest light they see, which is usually the moon reflecting off of the ocean. Artificial light can be very confusing to a newly hatched turtle and may expose them to predation or cause them to become disoriented or lost.

3. Dispose of fishing materials in designated bins. Sea turtles are good swimmers and their front fins are very powerful. However, since sea turtles move their front fins in a circular motion, they frequently become entangled in fishing lines and ropes. Sanibel Sea School has placed monofilament recycling bins near popular fishing spots on Sanibel – please look for them and use them when you are fishing!

A sea turtle is found entangled in a buoy line...

... is freed by a fisherman ....

... and swims safely back into the ocean.

4. Leave the beach as you found it. We love spending a day at the beach, lounging in a beach chair and digging sand castles. But, sea turtles are clumsy on land and obstacles like beach furniture and holes are difficult for them to maneuver around, and could block them from reaching an ideal nesting site.

5. Don't drive on the beach. While driving on the beach can be lots of fun, vehicles pose a threat to nesting adults, and tire tracks in the sand can make traveling to the ocean much more difficult for recently-emerged hatchlings. While we are on the topic of transportation – watch out for sea turtles in your boat as well!

If you are interested in the most up-to-date information on local nesting sites on Sanibel and Captiva, click here! 

5 Edible Plants on Sanibel Island

The abundant sunshine and year-round warmth on Sanibel allows for the growth of rich and diverse plant communities. Because we have great access to this native vegetation, our island is a perfect place for foraging - the practice of finding wild plants that can be gathered as food. Foraging is a fun way to get in touch with nature by learning about plants and then searching for them. Here are five edible and easily identifiable plants that can be found on Sanibel.

Note: Please be sure that you have identified edible plants correctly, as many plants may be toxic. We recommend carrying a field guide or doing some research online, so that you are sure you have properly identified the plants – if you’re not 100% sure, don’t eat it - ask an expert!

1.     Seagrape. Just like regular grapes, you can eat the ripe, purple grapes right off of the tree, however, many people think they taste pretty awful. So, we recommend making jelly or juice out of the grapes, which makes them much sweeter and more palatable. You can try these easy recipes here: http://sseminolefarmandnursery.com/recipeseagrape.html

*The seagrape tree is protected in the state of Florida, so it is illegal to harvest from public trees. When harvesting grapes, make sure you have permission from a private owner.

( Photo: www.eattheweeds.com)

2.     Cocoplum. This shrub is often trimmed into hedges for landscaping around yards, but can also be found along beaches and swamps. Cocoplum shrubs have egg-shaped leaves and bear a small round fruit that can be purple, white, or red. These colorful berries can be eaten raw or made into yummy jams and jellies.

( Photo: www.eattheweeds.com)

3.     Sea Purslane. You can find this salty snack growing in masses along the dunes on any beach. Top off your salad with a few of the salty leaves or nibble on some while you are at the beach. Here’s a recipe that we are definitely going to try: http://norecipes.com/tomato-purslane-salad-with-white-peach-dressing/

(Photo: http://www.seestjohn.com/flora_sea_purslane.html)

4.     Shepard’s Needle. You have probably seen this daisy look-alike growing in your lawn. Often considered a weed, this power-packed plant is an important source of nectar for pollinators and is edible for us! You can use the raw leaves in a salad or sauté them up with other veggies in a stir-fry.

(Photo: www.floridasurvivalgardening.com)

5.     Saw Palmetto Berries. Widely cultivated for their medicinal purposes, these berries were used medicinally by Native Americans and are still used as a supplement today. The dark, olive-shaped berries can be eaten right off the tree and are rich in protein and minerals

( Photo: www.eattheweeds.com)

For more information on foraging and edible plants in Florida, visit www.eattheweeds.com. Happy foraging! 

What comes out of those mermaid’s purses?

About a month ago, one of our students found a mermaid’s purse in the Captiva seagrass beds. We often find these egg cases washed up in the wrack line and are sometimes lucky enough to see a tiny creature wiggling around inside. We usually toss them back into the ocean, but this time, we decided to bring it back to our tanks to see if we could find out what exactly would hatch.

With all of the varying weather, storms, and winds we've been having, we've had some really cool creatures and lots of great shells wash up in our wrack line. Marine Science Educator Brooke has been finding lots of Mermaid's Purses on the beach. We hope that one will hatch a baby skate in our aquaria! Stay tuned - in the next few weeks, we might just get lucky. #SanibelSeaSchool #Sanibel #Captiva #oceanlove #oceantribe #ssir #southseasislandresort #mermaidspurse #elasmobranch #swfl #justescape @ssislandresort

A video posted by Sanibel Sea School (@sanibelseaschool) on Feb 11, 2016 at 2:25pm PST

We know that some sharks and skates house their eggs in mermaid’s purses, but we weren’t exactly sure which species we had on our hands. Skates are related to sharks and rays, and look very similar to the latter; they have a cartilage skeleton, flattened body, and enlarged pectoral fins. Unlike rays, however, skates lay their eggs in a small pouch made of collagen proteins that protect the developing embryo for up to 12 weeks. During this time, the skate will grow into a fully developed and independent juvenile, ready to take on the ocean.

Here is a  mermaid's purse, or skate egg case. Sometimes if you hold it up to the sun, you can see the baby skate wiggling around inside. If the skate has already hatched, then you will see an opening at one end between the two "horns". 

After about a month in our seagrass tank, we saw no changes, but we were still hopeful that we would have a newborn skate soon. To our surprise, this past weekend our patience finally paid off - we came in Saturday morning and discovered a baby skate on the bottom of the tank! Hatching at a length of 5” and almost double the size of her egg case, this was no tiny baby! We determined that the species of our hatchling was a Clearnose Skate, due to the transparent skin on her nose, a common trait of this species. We plan to keep our baby skate in the safety of our seagrass tank for a couple of weeks, then we will release her back into the ocean so that she can live a happy and healthy life in the Gulf of Mexico. 

What look like eyes on the ventral (belly side) of the skate are actually nostrils. You can also see how the snout is semi-transparent, indicating that this is a clearnose skate.

Clearnose skates can be found from Massachusetts all the way to southern Florida! They enjoy life on the soft, sandy seafloor and eat mostly crustaceans, bivalves, and squid. 

5 of our favorite shells (and 5 things you may not know about them)

If you're an avid beachcomber of Sanibel Island, you probably already know (and have found) these 5 shells. However, we have added some fun facts about the creatures that inhabit these shells that might just make them more fascinating!

1.     Lightning Whelk. This predatory snail is unique among the gastropods because its shell spirals to the left, while about 90% of gastropods spiral to the right. They also lay those long, snake-like egg cases that we see washed up in the wrack line, that may contain up to 3,000 embryos each!

Lightning whelk egg case washed ashore. 

2.     Alphabet Cone. Cone snails are notorious for their specialized hunting style – they use a modified tooth as a venomous harpoon to sting and paralyze their prey. If you find a live one, be sure to handle with care as you return it to the sea. Check out the video below to watch a relative of the alphabet cone hunt for prey - if you're short on time, fast forward to the 1:40 mark). 

World's Weirdest: Freaks in the Ocean : SUN OCT 14 at 3P et/pt : http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals The underwater version of a tank, this cone snail boasts an armored shell and enough venom to kill a human. Nearby fish don't stand a chance. Cone Snail Animal Profile http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/invertebrates/geographers-cone-snail/

3.     West Indian Worm Shell. Despite their worm-like appearance, these curvy creatures are actually gastropod snails that attach themselves to sponges or rocks. The irregular spiraling of the shell can reach up to 3 inches long.

4.     Lettered Olive. These shiny shells can often be seen at low tide slowly cruising along the sandbar. Even though they look peaceful, olives move across the sand in search of tiny bivalves that they grab with their muscular foot, then drag below the sand to consume.

5.     Coquina. Also known as butterfly clams, these colorful mini-mollusks love to catch a wave and surf to their feeding grounds. You can find these guys burrowing just below the surf near the water line – see how many colors you can find!

From left to right: Lightning Whelk, Alphabet Cone, West Indian Worm Shell, Lettered Olive, and Coquina

Microbeads - The Invisible Pollution

Try to imagine what ocean pollution looks like. What is the first image that comes to mind? Oil, plastic water bottles, maybe fishing nets? We often conjure up images of tangible objects, such as things we have seen bobbing along in the water or washed up on the beach, but there is an even larger culprit that is actually quite small.

Microbeads or sometimes referred to as nurdles, are tiny bits of plastic smaller than 5mm long. Microbeads were initially designed to be used in biomedical research but have recently been utilized in personal hygiene products as a skin exfoliates. These tiny particles are often found in face wash, hand soaps, and even toothpaste. This concept was seemingly a convenient idea – having a built in scrubber for a squeaky-clean feel. However, after these particles disappear down the drain, they are unable to be filtered out by sewer treatment plants – ultimately ending up in our oceans, rivers, and The Great Lakes.

Here’s the problem: microbeads are composed of polyethylene, a plastic that is not biodegradable. Once they enter the ocean they are consumed by plankton and then passed through the food chain to larger fish or mistaken as fish eggs by other sea creatures. We’re unsure how exactly these particles are affecting the digestive system of these the animals, but we do know that they are increasingly accumulating in our waters.

Luckily, this global issue is already being addressed by states in the US pushing to ban the sale of these products; even large companies like Unilever, are now committed to phasing-out all microbeads from their products by 2015. You can make a difference too by following these 3 simple steps:

1.     Discontinue the use of personal products that contain polyethylene beads.

2.      Download this app to determine if your personal products contain microbeads.

3.      Look for products that contain natural exfoliates as an alternative, such as crushed apricot shells and walnuts. We recommend Burt’s Bees or St. Ives, both use 100% natural exfoliates. 

5 Sustainable Seafood Choices in Florida

It's an important part of SW Florida culture to eat and enjoy fresh seafood from our local waters, but it's also our responsibility as good stewards of the ocean to make wise choices and avoid eating species that have been overfished. At Sanibel Sea School, when it comes to seafood, the general rules we follow are "eat less, eat local, and eat low on the food chain". Here's a quick list of suggestions if you're in the area and looking for a sustainable meal:

1.     Cobia (US Farmed). These fish grow quickly and efficiently, and require less protein in their feed than other farmed species. They are rarely fished commercially, so wild populations remain healthy. Cobia filets are mild and buttery, with a meaty texture - often available at Publix thanks to their new partnership with Open Blue, a Miami-based farming operation. (http://www.undercurrentnews.com/2014/03/13/open-blue-cobia-penetrates-publix-super-markets/)

2.     Florida Oysters. Apalachicola Bay, located in the panhandle, provides 90% of Florida’s oysters that are sustainably grown and hand harvested. The rich Apalachicola estuary is one of the last areas where wild oysters are harvested from small boats. Oysters and other shellfish are usually a great choice, since they are filter feeders that clean the water as they eat. 

3.     Mahi Mahi (Troll or poll caught). This popular game fish is fast-growing and spawns early in life making it a great alternative to grouper and Chilean sea bass, which are vulnerable to overfishing. Additionally, Mahi Mahi caught using troll or pole fishing methods reduces the chance of by-catch, which keeps our sea turtles and sea birds safe.

4.     Tilapia (US Farmed). Tilapia is a fast-growing, easily cultured omnivorous species and is extremely versatile in the culinary world. Sarasota Organic Tilapia Farms and RoyalTila based in Punta Gorda are both committed to producing sustainable, eco-friendly, organically fed fish. These facilities are among many in Southwest Florida that are supplying local tilapia to restaurants and grocery stores.

5. Your Catch. Perhaps the most sustainable way to consume seafood is by catching it yourself – we think it’s the most fun too! Be sure to check your local fishing regulations for size limitations and seasons. Here’s a link to recreational fishing regulations from FWC: http://www.myfwc.com/media/2714988/Coastal-species-quick-chart.pdf  

A great white weekend!

Blog post by Caitlin Smith and Leah Biery

Duunnn dunnn... duuuunnnn duun... duuunnnnnnnn dun dun dun dun dun dun dun dun dun dun dunnnnnnnnnnn dunnnn…. Betsy!

If you’re a local, you’ve probably heard the news - a great white shark named Betsy “pinged” about 70 miles off the coast of Sanibel last Friday – around 10 PM on the night of April 25th!

Betsy is a 12’7” 1400 pound immature female white shark. She was originally tagged off of Cape Cod in August of 2013. Since being tagged almost a year ago, she has traveled out into the Atlantic and then moved down the coast and around the bend of Florida. Betsy has traveled over 3492 miles altogether in a year. White sharks can swim up to 35 mph, but normally cruise at much slower rates. Betsy is the first tagged white shark to be tracked in the Gulf. 

As far as scientists know, great whites only occasionally visit the Gulf of Mexico, usually preferring cold waters inhabited by large marine mammals. So the ping was an exciting story in itself, but things get even more curious. The next day, a group of divers spotted and captured video of a great white about 80 miles offshore from Sanibel. But it wasn’t the same shark! The great white spotted by divers did not have a tag, which means there were two sharks roaming the same general area over the weekend.

Watch for a Sanibel Sea School guest appearance!

So the big question: are great whites more common in the Gulf than we thought? Maybe – it could be that they’ve always been here and we just didn’t see them often. The development of new tracking technology and a growing number of divers with cameras could lead to more verifiable sightings.

An alternative hypothesis is that the oceans aren’t as healthy as they used to be, so the sharks are expanding their range to search for food. It’s hard to say, but the events of the weekend pose many interesting questions about these powerful and fascinating creatures for scientists to examine in the near future.

We’ll be sure to keep our readers posted on the latest research – and please let us know if you hear anything interesting related to this topic!

5 Tips for Biking on Sanibel

Thousands of people frequent the 27 miles of  bike paths on Sanibel every year, and how can we blame them? We are so lucky to have such a beautiful, bike friendly island! Here are some local biking tips from our staff:

1. If you're visiting, rent a bicycle at Billy's Bike Rentals. They have a bike for everyone - single-speed, multi-speed, hybrids, and bikes for kids! Billy's also has a bike shop for all of your gear needs if you are an experienced cyclist, and they have a great map of our island bike paths on their website!

2. Bike through Wildlife Drive at J.N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge. For only $1.00, this trail will take you inside the refuge where you will see many types of wading birds, mullet jumping, and maybe even an otter or two. Wildlife Drive is a 4 mile pedal within the refuge, then brings you out on Sanibel-Captiva Road where it's just 3 miles back to the refuge entrance. A great 7-mile loop that will leave you deserving an ice cream!

3. Visit Bailey Homestead (off of Periwinkle Way just past Dairy Queen and the Lazy Flamingo) for off-road biking. One of the most serene off-the-beaten-path spots on Sanibel, this hard shell-packed trail is great for mountain bikes (or walking) and allows you to feel far removed from the hustle and bustle of the main bike path. It's also a great place to spot large alligators and dozens of cormorants and anhingas drying their wings.

4. Take a turn down the back roads. There are dozens of charming neighborhoods off of San-Cap and the Gulf Drives, just waiting to be explored. Fill up your reusable water bottle and venture out in search of your island dream home. 

5. Bike the entire island at least once! Just under 15 miles, the main bike path takes you from the Sanibel Lighthouse all the way to Blind Pass in Captiva. This day trip is a must-do for all levels of bikers because there is just so much to see - Gopher Tortisoes munching on grass, Red-shouldered Hawks soaring overhead, and lush vegetation lining the roads. You can refill your water bottle at Ding Darling along the way and refuel with a delicious lunch in Santiva. Or if you're ambitious, carry on all the way to Captiva and say hello to the manatees at Jensen's Marina! 

Do you have biking tips to add? Do share!

Fun Fish Friday - Atlantic Tarpon

At Sanibel Sea School, we love to teach people about the sea – and all of the creatures that live in it! So starting today, we are going to dive a little deeper into the realm of ichthyology by exploring some our favorite fish in our “Fun Fish Friday” series.

To kick off the series let’s talk about one of Sanibel’s local legends - the stunning Silver King, more formally known as the Atlantic Tarpon (Megalops atlanticus).  This majestic giant can weigh up to 280 pounds and may reach lengths of 8 feet! Not only is this fish the size of a small shark, it also puts up a pretty mean fight – that’s why it is one of the most popular game fish here in Florida. The tarpon singlehandedly brings in $174 million per year in The Everglades National Park and The Florida Keys Flats fisheries, and we don’t even eat them! That’s a pretty good financial incentive to protect their habitat.

Tarpon are fish on the move. They spend the winter in the toasty Caribbean waters and migrate to Southwest Florida when temperatures rise. Avid anglers pine away for the first full moon of the spring because that means the tarpon have made their journey back to our inshore waters. Around Sanibel and Ft. Myers, you can commonly find tarpon in San Carlos Bay and in the Caloosahatchee River, and fishermen close behind.

As if tarpon weren’t cool enough, they also have the ability to use their swim bladder as a lung, an organ usually used by fish as a buoyancy control device. Tarpon normally use their gills to obtain oxygen from the water, but when they live in more anoxic environments, such as freshwater ponds or The Everglades, they are able to take a big gulp of air at the surface of the water to fulfill their oxygen needs.

And while we’re on the topic, join us in wishing Doc Bruce, Ben Biery, Elizabeth Farnham, and Caitlin Smith luck in the J.N. “Ding” Darling & Doc Ford’s Tarpon Tournament next weekend. All of the proceeds from this tournament directly support efforts to conserve our marine ecosystem in the “Ding” Darling wildlife refuge. Find out more about the Tarpon Tourney here. 

Did you know that scientists are able to analyze DNA of a tarpon by taking a small skin sample? The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has created a citizen science project to better understand the tarpon population in Florida. By obtaining a tarpon's "fingerprint", scientists are able to determine how far and where they travel during migration. You can take part in this important research by acquiring your own DNA sampling kit here. 

5 Great Places to Fill Up Your Reusable Coffee Mug

Piggybacking off of our last 'Sanibel Tips' blog post, we are back this week to help you fill up those reusable mugs with our top picks for coffee on Sanibel. Here's where we recommend to get hydrated or caffeinated: 

1) Bennett's Fresh Roast. Delicious coffee and homemade donuts - the perfect morning kick start.  

2) The Sanibel Bean. At this family friendly establishment, you can cool down with a yummy frozen chai or even a smoothie. 

3) Bailey's Coffee Bar. Fill up your reusable mug here to fuel your grocery shopping. 

4) Dolce Tesoro - Simply Cupcakes. Enjoy your coffee paired with the best cupcakes on island. 

5) Sanibel Sea School. That's right, SX3 is now serving our own house blend coffee - organic, artisan roasted, fair-trade African beans. Our coffee comes with great conversation and fun facts about the ocean. The best part - it's free! 

Still need a reusable bottle? Sanibel Sea School has two stainless steel Kleen Kanteen bottles for sale: an 18oz water bottle and a 20oz vacuum insulated thermos. The insulated thermos keeps your beverages cool for 24 hours or hot for 6 hours and even comes with a cafe lid - a must have! 

Shark Spotted Nearshore on Sanibel!

A few weeks ago, someone sent us this photograph of a shark taken along the shores of Sanibel Island.  They asked if we could identify it, but due to the anatomical similarities between many shark species, that’s no easy feat. So we asked a group of shark biologists to help us out and ensure that the identification was as accurate as possible. 

View fullsize

 First, we reached out to former University of Florida shark expert Jason Seitz. Jason mused that it could be a lemon or bull shark based on his previous fishing experience and the visibility of the dorsal fins.  In the photo, the second dorsal fin was below the surface of the water, suggesting that it was relatively small in size. A smaller second dorsal fin is a good field mark for bull sharks, so Jason thought that this species was the presumable choice. Jason also ruled out a black-tip shark due to the lack of pigmentation on the dorsal.

Even though these species were both plausible suggestions, Robert E. Hueter, Ph.D., Director of the Center for Shark Research at the Mote Marine Laboratory, had a different idea. Based on the photo, Dr. Hueter decided that the fin shape and position weren't exactly fit for a bull shark. He confirmed that the species was, in fact, a sandbar shark – it is typical for them to swim near shore in the winter months in SW Florida, passing through on a migratory journey or following their prey.  And so we found our answer.

It’s always fascinating to catch a glimpse of shark fin from the beach, but this example just goes to show that fish identification isn’t always as easy as it might seem. From land, it’s hard to see what is swimming below the waves, and sometimes it takes great experience and skill to solve the mystery. Luckily, there are biologists ready and willing to step up to the challenge!

5 Ways to Eliminate or Reduce the Amount of Plastic You Use

Plastics were first invented to make our lives as consumers easier. Unfortunately, with overconsumption and improper disposal many of the plastics we use end up in the ocean. Plastics in the ocean are harmful and even fatal to sea creatures, so we need your help in reducing the amount that we use! Here's how you can do your part: 

1. Reusable Grocery Bags.  When plastic bags end up in the ocean, animals such as sea turtles often confuse them for their prey (jellyfish). Don’t have one? Stop by Sanibel Sea School and we will give you one - free!

2. Reusable containers for food. These can be washed and reused again and again instead of single-use plastic wrap and baggies - more for your money.

3. Use real silverware! I always keep a spoon and fork in my backpack and simply wash them after use. Plastic cutlery is made out of molecules produced from petroleum and takes an enormous amount of energy to produce - a very long process for something we use in just minutes! 

4. Reusable water bottle. Plastic bottles and lids are frequently washed into the ocean and consumed by animals. These bottles never break down! With a reusable water bottle, you can keep your beverage nice and cool and even infuse water with yummy fruit! Check out this fascinating video on plastic water bottle use : 

5. Make your own shampoo/toiletries.  We go through a lot of shampoo, body wash, and lotion – all of these are packaged in plastic bottles. You can eliminate these bottles by making your own toiletries. Not only is this beneficial for the environment but it's good for your body too! These can be made with aromatic essential oils and without harsh chemicals! Here’s a recipe to get you started:  http://shalommama.com/homemade-shampoo

Check out Emily being super sustainable with her reusable bag and water bottle! 

Traffic Tips During High Season

If you frequent Sanibel Island during high season, you have most likely experienced congested traffic on Periwinkle Way. Here are some tips to avoid traffic and get you to the beach quicker! 

1) Avoid traveling west (toward Captiva) from 9:00AM-12:00PM and avoid traveling east (off-island) from 2:00PM-5:00PM

2) When driving during these peak times, utilize the gulf roads (East Gulf, Middle Gulf, West Gulf, to Rabbit Road)

3) Pay it forward by letting people out in front of you - and smile as you wave them on

4) Ride your bike - get some exercise and get there faster

5) Be Patient - you're on island time! 

When will the leaked radiation reach the US West Coast?

The North Pacific Gyre will likely deliver radioactive plumes from Japan to the US West Coast beginning in April of this year. Scientists have determined that radioisotope concentrations in the Pacific Ocean are projected to be below the US EPA’s thresholds and not harmful to humans. Even though radiation levels will be low, it is crucial to determine if radiation will have long-term implications for our marine ecosystem.

Multiple organizations are teaming up by creating citizen science projects and scientific campaigns to monitor the radiation as it approaches our coastlines. This research is pivotal to understand how this disaster affects our ocean in the present and for generations to come.

Find out more about the fascinating research here:

http://www.ourradioactiveocean.org/

http://kelpwatch.berkeley.edu/

How will radiation from the Fukushima disaster affect marine life?

Radiation poisoning causes acute sickness, as well as DNA mutations that may be passed on to future generations. Because of these damages, there is vast concern on how radioisotopes affect marine fauna.

With each succeeding step in the food chain, radioactive particles are accumulated in predatory species.

With each succeeding step in the food chain, radioactive particles are accumulated in predatory species.

Bioaccumulation is the process by which harmful contaminants accumulate in organisms at the top of the food chain. Top predators, such as Pacific Bluefin Tuna, are at risk because they consume numerous, small organisms, along with the radioactive particles that the prey have inside their bodies. As tuna eat contaminated prey, the radiation increases in its tissues exponentially.

The long-term effects of radiation on marine fauna are still unknown. However, we do know that even though radioisotopes are diluted by the ocean, fish are concentrating it in their bodies through the process of bioaccumulation.

What is the connection between The United States and Japan?

The Fukushima Disaster occurred over 5,000 miles away, so many people wonder – why should we be concerned?

The west coast of The United States is more connected to Fukushima than we may think. Currents, or streams of seawater formed by wind and the rotation of Earth, create a direct pathway that pushes water from Japan to Oregon. This path is part of the North Pacific Gyre, which is an elliptical, clock-wise system of currents that rotates in Pacific Ocean between Asia and North America. This gyre is our direct connection to Japan and why we will soon detect radiation from Fukushima Daiichi on our coastlines.

The North Pacific Gyre is a system of 4 oceanic currents: the Kuroshio Current, the North Pacific Current, the California Current, and the North Equatorial Current.