We are kicking off our 2019 featured FIN Tastic Allstars program with grade 7 student Jesse.
Jesse has been helping our team and spreading shark education for a couple of years. We are thrilled to share his shark story with you!
1. What is your favorite shark and why?
Answer: My favorite shark is the Great Hammerhead. The unique characteristics of a Great Hammerhead really stand out in my mind when I think about sharks. That hammer shaped head. Those wide-spread eyes. That giant dorsal fin. All of these prominent features have made me really appreciate the natural magnificence of the Great Hammerhead.
2. What is one species of shark you would like to see/swim with?
Answer: Once again, the one species of shark that I would like to see or swim with would be the Great Hammerhead. I would love to dive during the Great Hammerhead migration in Bimini. This would be surreal to get to dive with such a large number of my favorite sharks.
3. Why do you want to help save sharks?
Answer: I want to save sharks because I passionately believe that sharks must be conserved so that future generations can enjoy their natural beauty. Also, sharks play a vital role in the balance of oceanic ecosystems. As apex predators, they keep the food chain in check. When sharks are removed, a trickle-down effect that can harm organisms lower down in the food chain may occur. This is why we must save sharks.
4. How can kids help save sharks?
Answer: Kids can help save sharks in many ways. To start with, the most important part is making sure that they understand that sharks need our help. Then, they can get involved with an organization, such as MAKO (Miami Advocate Kids for the Ocean), an organization that I run dedicated to getting kids involved in ocean conservation efforts, or Sharks4Kids. In this way, children can do their part to preserve sharks.
5. Why is shark education important?
Answer: Shark education is vital to conserving these beautiful creatures. The public view on sharks is often that they are these mindless killing machines. In reality, they are quite the opposite. Educating people about sharks can change these views and develop a more widespread understanding of them. Education is possibly the biggest step in the fight to save sharks in my opinion.
6. Do you want to work with sharks when you are older?
Answer: This is something I have considered, as I enjoy participating in shark conservation and it is something I am very passionate about. I also have plans of playing professional football and being a country music artist. Whatever my future brings, I look forward to continuing to work with Sharks4Kids along the way.
I recently attended a Sharks4Kids STEAM Fair event at a Miami Public Library. I finally got to meet Tyler Mahler, after a few years of having mutual connections. I interviewed Tyler for my fifth grade International Baccalaureate project on the prevention of shark finning. Now, I am in seventh grade and I finally got the chance to meet him- he’s a pretty funny and knowledgeable dude. I’m glad I was able to attend and help represent Sharks 4 Kids and inform people about the great work that they do to conserve sharks.
