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📺 1/2 of team @shark_docs 🔬 🦈 Microscopic to megafauna marine research biologist 🌊 Conservationist saving us from ourselves, one fish at a time
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#marineconservation#marinescience#sharkconservation#sharkresearch#marinebiology#sharkweek#jaws#orca#goliathgrouper#floridawildlife
Recent posts
REMINDER: Applications for FWC’s Goliath grouper harvest tags close today, Oct 15 at midnight EST.
Folks say: “There are too many Goliaths.” “They’re invasive.” “They’re eating all the fish on our reefs.” The research says otherwise!
In 2022, after more than 30 years of protection, FWC approved a harvest of 200 Goliath grouper per year in Florida state waters. Chris (@conservation.chris) has spent years studying Goliaths with Dr. Felicia Coleman, Dr. Chris Koenig, and many others. They’ve looked at their populations, health, role on the reef, and the policy decisions around them. Their take is that FWC never made a sound scientific case for reopening the fishery. More than 90 fish and fisheries scientists and prominent conservationists signed their letter opposing the harvest, and over 90% of public comments opposed it too... but FWC approved it anyway.
Note:
-Goliaths were nearly fished to extinction in US waters by the 1980s, subsequently receiving full protection from 1990 until recently
-They’re not overabundant. Numbers recovered for about 20 years, then declined over the following decade according to data from survey efforts, including citizen science (@reef_org), university and government agency surveys
-They’re native to Florida (unlike invasive lionfish)
-Reefs with more Goliaths tend to have more fish & more diversity, and Goliaths mostly eat crabs, not game fish
-All three stock assessments were rejected, and NOAA has kept full protection in federal waters
-Goliaths already deal with cold snaps, red tides, mangrove loss, and mercury contamination, and this fishery targets juveniles that haven’t spawned yet
If you want to help:
Look into tag-buying efforts like @fish_defender’s counter-lottery before it closes. A tag won by a conservationist is a Goliath that stays in the water.
Weigh in during FWC public comment periods.
Report illegal fishing to the FWC Wildlife Alert Hotline: 888-404-FWCC (3922).
Support research & conservation work by us, REEF, and others.
Find the letter to FWC Commissioners & research papers at chrismalinowski.org
Photo credit: @walkergareriphotos @waltstearns8
#goliathgrouper #floridawildlife #marineconservation
15 Oct 2026
🌊 What if we could track how marine life responds to a changing ocean?
That’s exactly what we’re hoping to better understand through our new research initiative at Carysfort Reef!
Our pilot project combines environmental DNA (eDNA), underwater listening stations, diver surveys, and oceanographic sensors to study the marine life around the reef and how it’s responding to changing ocean conditions🐠🪸
One of the coolest parts? Scientists can collect traces of DNA left behind in seawater to identify marine species without ever needing to see or catch them!
And with the help of community scientists and recreational divers, we’re bringing together technology and real-world observations to build a more complete picture of what’s happening beneath the surface.
Led by Dr. Chris Malinowski (@conservation.chris) of Shark Docs (@shark_docs) and funded by the Marine Preservation Society of the Florida Keys, this research is helping lay the foundation for long-term marine monitoring throughout the Florida Keys.
A big thank you to NOAA’s Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary (@floridakeysnms) and all of our research partners for helping make this possible! 💙#
#MarineLab #CarysfortReef #MarineScience #MarineConservation
14 Oct 2026
31 applications from 5 countries for one scholarship inspired by a fun social media challenge for Tires cast members, with @stevegerben answering the call and generous donors bringing us the rest of the way 🙏🏼
For the first-ever scholarship to our Marine Biology Accelerator at Big Pine Key, we heard from 31 teens, ages 13–17, from 11 US states plus the UK, Canada, India and Australia. Some live minutes from the water down in the Keys. Many wrote to us from landlocked states and have never seen a shark in the wild.
Reading these was a highlight of our first year in business, and picking just one has been really hard. To every applicant: thank you for putting yourselves out there. You're all awesome. We'll make our decision this week.
We want to send more of these students into the field next year. If you’d like to help, donations are tax-deductible through our fiscal sponsor, American Shark Conservancy (Donate button at sharkdocs.org).
Know a 13–17 year old who’d love this program? Our January 16–18 session has 5 spots left. Other 2027 dates are May 29–31, Sep 4–6 and Oct 9–11.
**we also accept Step Up for Students scholarships through the state of Florida!!
Register at www.sharkdocs.org
📸 @covascott 🙏🏼
#marinebiology #sharkconservation #floridakeys #sharkscience #floridakeysliving
11 Oct 2026
Please share - full scholarship available!
2 weeks remain!
Shark Docs Marine Biology Accelerator Program
- shark and reef fish biology
- at Seacamp on Big Pine Key, Florida
- 13-17 years old
- 3 day weekends in 2027
- 1 full scholarship available now until October 1
***application available at sharkdocs.org***
Thanks @stevegerben for playing the game🙏🏼 & generous supporters for funding the scholarship
Also, we now accept Florida state education funds through Step Up For Students through direct pay!
#foryou #sharkconservation #floridahomeschoolers #scholarship #fieldcourse
15 Sep 2026
Message us GUIDE and we'll send you our how-to step by step instructions for posting wildly successful instagram carousels based on trends we dont understand that are on a downward trajectory about 8 months late
😁
Ok but the art truly makes us very happy
Artist/ PhD from @scripps_ocean: @dante.a.capone
Tshirts w artwork: www.sharkdocs.org
#kindachic #quitechic #reallychic #sharks #sharkart
31 Aug 2026
Woosah
feel free to pull up a rocking chair on the porch to shout at the wind 😂
*all research with Shark Docs, LLC was conducted under permits from NOAA, FWC, and Florida DEP as necessary. Participant and animal safety is the top priority*
#sharkweek #sharkresearch #tagging #marinebiology #shark
27 Aug 2026
Watching this boat serve a purpose bigger than itself is something I’m incredibly grateful for.
Seeing it being used to support shark research and conservation and ultimately help protect the waters we call home here in South Florida is exactly what it’s all about.
A huge thank you to @shark_docs, the entire @seakeepers team, @rosiekmoore, Nate Goodwin, and the crew of the @chelsearaefishing for being an incredible support vessel throughout the expedition. And a special thanks to @captain__chris__ for capturing some amazing moments that help tell the story behind this important work.
Every expedition brings us one step closer to better understanding and protecting our oceans.
If marine conservation matters to you, drop a 🦈 in the comments and help spread the word.
All research with Shark Docs, LLC was conducted under permits from NOAA, FWC, and Florida DEP as necessary. Participant and animal safety is the top priority.
#SharkResearch #SharkConservation #MarineConservation #SouthFlorida #seakeepersinternationalsociety
06 Aug 2026
What it’s all about!! 🦈🌊
Getting out on the water to support shark research that helps protect these incredible animals and preserve the ecosystems we all depend on here in South Florida.
A huge thank you to @shark_docs and the @seakeepers team for having us along on this expedition. We’re grateful to play a small role in a much bigger mission and can’t wait to be part of more research in the future.
📸 : @captain__chris__
Know someone who’s passionate about ocean conservation or looking for a way to get involved, whether through volunteering, advocacy, or a donation?
Drop a 🦈 in the comments or tag them below.
All research with Shark Docs, LLC was conducted under permits from NOAA, FWC, and Florida DEP as necessary. Participant and animal safety is the top priority.
#jaws #theorcaboat #sharkresearch #discoreychannel #sharkweek
04 Aug 2026
Ever wonder how you go from curious kid to shark scientist? 🦈
For Dr. Chris Malinowski, it started with fish ecology long before sharks entered the picture. In our new podcast episode, host @rosiekmoore sits down with @conservation.chris to talk about his journey into shark science, what’s really happening with shark population numbers in Florida, and how he’s using education to drive real conservation change.
Watch the full episode on our YouTube @seakeepers
🦈📺 And don’t forget to catch Rosie on tonight’s episode of @sharkweek’s What Shark Attacked? 7/26 at 8 PM ET on @discovery
30 Jul 2026
Some say the Orca only chooses the best… and it looks like Dr. Chris Malinowski has officially been deemed worthy to take the helm. 👏
She can be a tough bride to handle, but with years of experience behind the wheel, Chris made her look easy.
A huge shoutout as well to @quickusa_official for the new stabilizer. It’s been an absolute game changer and has made a world of difference out on the water.
Here’s to many more research missions ahead. 🦈🌊
If you’re excited to see where the Orca goes next, follow along and support the science behind every adventure.
28 Jul 2026
This is only the beginning 🌊🦈
The Orca is opening the door to incredible opportunities in marine science, conservation, and education. Every project, every expedition, and every discovery brings us one step closer to better understanding and protecting our oceans.
None of this is possible without the support of people who believe in the mission. If you’d like to help fuel future scientific research and conservation efforts aboard the Orca, we’d love to have you join us.
#orca #marinescience #oceanconservation #supportresearch #protectouroceans
28 Jul 2026
Sea Trial Success. The Next Chapter Begins. 🌊
A successful sea trial is more than just a milestone, it’s the beginning of what’s ahead.
The Orca performed exactly as planned, and we’re incredibly excited about the scientific opportunities this platform will help make possible. From research and conservation to innovation on the water, this is just the start of an exciting journey.
A huge thank you to everyone who helped bring this project to life. We can’t wait to share what’s coming next.
Stay tuned… there’s a lot more on the horizon. ⚓️🌎
#Orca #seatrial #marinescience #oceanresearch #jaws
27 Jul 2026
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