A few days ago, I learned about the passing of Dr. Jeff Carrier, a leading researcher in nurse shark biology with a particular focus on their mating behaviors.
Several years ago, while living in the Florida Keys, I had the privilege of briefly meeting Jeff and was captivated by the research he and Wes Pratt were conducting on nurse shark mating in the Dry Tortugas. Wes occasionally visited the Mote Marine Laboratory, where I worked at the time, and I would always ask if I could join them in the Tortugas to photograph their work. While that opportunity never came, I was fortunate last year to film nurse sharks mating off the coast of Anegada in the British Virgin Islands.
Though I don’t have any photos of Jeff and Wes, you can click the link in my bio to watch a short video of them tagging nurse sharks in the Dry Tortugas. Their work, spanning several decades, is (I believe) to be the longest-running continuous study of nurse shark mating behaviors. If this is incorrect, please feel free to correct me.
@ilcp_photographers
Very excited to share our video on the St. Thomas East End Reserve (STEER)!
STEER is a collection of marine reserves, wildlife sanctuaries and marine protected areas that’s managed by the Department of Planning and Natural Resources (@dpnr.vi). This space is ecologically, economically, and culturally important to the Virgin Islands and is there for us to enjoy and utilize responsibly.
Big shout out to @islandmediaco who I partnered with on this project. We spent several days kayaking and snorkeling amongst the mangroves and coral reefs to film this project. I’m sure I speak for both of us that we’ll definitely be spending more time out there!
Thrilled to unveil our latest video project!
Collaborating with the University of Virgin Islands mangrove team was truly inspiring! Their efforts are making a significant impact on our environment and community. Initiatives like “Mangroves in the Classroom” empower local kids with hands-on experiences and offer them a fresh perspective on their beautiful island home.
I hope this video serves as a catalyst for similar programs in other schools, fostering a brighter future for our environment and promoting other crucial environmental topics.
Excited to share our latest film project for @vi_epscor.
Invasive species wreak havoc on economies worldwide, resulting in billions of dollars in annual damages. The U.S. Virgin Islands also faces the detrimental consequences of an invasive seagrass species that has outcompeted numerous native seagrasses. Although the impact of this newfound seagrass remains largely unknown, diligent researchers from the University of the Virgin Islands are fervently engaged in uncovering its effects on the surrounding ecosystem.
If you haven’t already seen it on @vi_epscor, check out our latest short film highlighting the first ever in-water survey of sea turtles around the island of Carriacou, Grenada.
This project was a collaborative effort between @uvi_sea_turtle_research, @grenadaturtles, @the_hawksbill_project, and @vi_epscor.
Our team has been on St Croix the last week monitoring Elkhorn Coral (Acropora palmata) populations. While filming the @vireefresponse researchers, a pod of dolphins came to say hi! Most of the time when we see dolphins, they don’t hang around for long but these were extra curious and stayed with us for a few minutes.
I think what amazes me most about seeing dolphins in the wild and underwater is how powerful they are. Literally pure muscle, and moves through the water effortlessly compared to us bubble breathers.
Asheville DIY Foundation Skatepark
