Expedition leaders: Dr. Tristan Guttridge, Lily Rios-Brady and Sorantaa Bain

Crew: Amber, Kendra, Leila, Jason, Marleyna, Rosie and Sydnee

Introduction - Shark Week Special!

This expedition ran during Shark Week 2022! Each day the team conducted shark research and each evening they watched Shark Week! Team members Dr. Tristan Guttridge, Lily Rios-Brady and Sorantaa Bain were leading the trip and were also featured on a number of shows.

Day 1

Before our main expedition, Tristan flew to Andros to meet with student Tayshaun to discuss and plan the final details of his research project. After their meeting our ‘strike force’ team got to work setting BRUVs (Baited Remote Underwater Videos) and catching and tagging sharks.

Day 2

Our plan today was the same as yesterday - BRUV deployments/retrieval and shark captures for our ongoing research efforts.

In total we caught seven sharks today and deployed multiple sets of BRUVs. Each camera lasts one hour so we deploy, wait, retrieve, rebait and reset! It’s a lot of hard, repetitive work, but it must be done precisely and with care in order to provide accurate data.

Day 3

Today was a non-deployment day. In the morning the team deep cleaned equipment and all afternoon and evening Tristan and Tayshaun spent time working through the hours of BRUV footage they had captured over the last few days.

During Tayshaun’s time as an intern with Saving the Blue, he will learn: Research techniques for surveying sharks and rays including setup, deployment and maintenance of block rigs, polyball fishing and baited remote underwater videos (BRUVs). Shark processing methods and equipment, including safely securing animals for measurement, sex determination, biological sampling and tagging (e.g. individual identification and tracking). Species ID: sharks and other common marine animals of The Bahamas. Environmental sampling: including taking water temperature, salinity and dissolved oxygen. Boat safety and basic seamanship. Data recording and data entry specifically pertaining to BRUV methods, and lastly, preliminary data visualization, analysis and interpretation ready for student presentation at BAMSI.

Day 4

Our last day as a ‘strike force’ before our main team arrived. We were eager to get out onto the water to start work and collect our all important data.

It was a busy day setting BRUVs, however shark captures were low with only three nurse sharks caught all day. We hoped there would be greater action tomorrow as, with a full crew, we will be able to set more equipment in the hopes of catching more and setting even more BRUVs.

Day 5

Finally, our main crew arrived and we welcomed the additional support! Once at the lodge the team settled down for a safety briefing, followed by a shark handling/capture talk. Once everyone was comfortable, it was time to head out on the boat and put our theory into practice.

We had an incredibly busy few hours with many sharks caught, and it didn’t stop there! We had caught three different species in such a short period of time we didn’t think it could get any better…. It could.

In the afternoon we caught a tiger shark! … and then a second tiger shark!! There is no doubt that we had kicked off this trip with a bang! What an incredible afternoon, that for many, was a once in a lifetime experience.

Day 6

With another busy day ahead of us we were up early to watch the sunrise and eat breakfast. As with every morning, our team have the choice of a freshly-made breakfast eggs (scrambled, fried, or an omelet) to-order at no extra cost, cereals, toast, fresh fruit, yogurt, and more.

After breakfast we got straight to it; more BRUV deployments and shark captures. Today we caught three Caribbean reef sharks and seven nurse sharks!

As the sun set we collected our BRUV frames, had a wonderful, home cooked dinner (like every night) and settled down for more Shark Week action! Tonight was the big night, the night our main show aired on the Discovery Channel! Learn more HERE.

This expedition was timed with Shark Week 2022. Our team conducted shark research in the day and watched Shark Week in the evenings! Team members Dr. Tristan Guttridge, Lily Rios-Brady and Sorantaa Bain were leading the trip and were all featured on shows which made this trip even more special.

Day 7

Today we woke to powerful winds. Andros is a huge island meaning there are many places for us to ‘hide’ from the wind, and still work, however our research locations were restricted. With the wind ruling out deep water, we focused on the shallows.

We again set our BRUV frames and although shark capture numbers were down today, we caught a new species, lemon sharks! In total we caught and tagged three. Once back at the lodge we settled down to eat dinner and review our BRUV footage.

Day 8

With incredibly long and tiring days and with the wind still up, we decided on a different plan for today. The morning consisted of BRUV deployments and in the afternoon we took a break and spent some time at a local restaurant before finally diving and exploring an inland blue hole for some fun!

After our relaxing afternoon break it was time for some night fishing! Doing anything at night adds an extra element of excitement and the evening didn’t disappoint. In total we caught six sharks, including another tiger shark!

Day 9

We started our morning deploying BRUVs, followed by a lecture presented by Dr. Tristan Guttridge.

Our afternoon activity included a mangrove clean up. This simple act has immediate, rewarding results that truly make a difference to the environment and its inhabitants. We are excited to continue our efforts on every visit to Andros!

After our beach clean-up efforts the team were treated to some fun! We spent the last few hours of the day enjoying lemon sharks in shallow, clear water. Our team had worked incredibly hard all week long and the downtime was much appreciated and enjoyed.

Day 10

For our final full day we did, what we’d been consistently doing all week, BRUVs and shark captures for research!

Our busy day, followed by our evening was jammed packed with shark action, including another nighttime set. The evening fishing concluded our shark filled, Shark Week 2022 and was one for the books, what a week!

Thank you

Thank you to our research trip leaders Dr. Tristan Guttridge, Lily Rios-Brady and Sorantaa Bainfor guiding the team through an incredibly successful week. A huge thank you to our research assistants for their passion, determination and endless enthusiasm to work hard, learn and produce results. We would also like to thank the Andros Island Bonefish Club for their hospitality, and the hardworking and ever professional Cole from PFO Charters for his top class boating and captaining skills.

Gratitude must also go to all on the trip for their generosity in allowing us to use their imagery in this blog.

Early results

Blacknose - 3

Blacktip - 4

Caribbean Reef Shark -12

Lemon shark - 3

Nurse shark - 24

Tiger Shark - 3

Total shark count for the week: 49