My Story

I am fundraising in honor of the Shark Trust to share my knowledge of sharks with others and to challenge common misconceptions about the animals because, simply put, sharks are fin-tastic! 

My interest in sharks first began as a child, in 2004, when I heard about the first Great White Shark being seen in Cape Cod. I started watching shark documentaries and reading articles to better understand the sharks’ lifestyles, habitats, and behaviors, and to learn why they started to return to Cape Cod - and in such large numbers. I eventually learned that their return to the Cape was a result of the US Marine Mammal Protection Act. Protection of the marine mammals, including seals, allowed their populations to rebound and in turn, attracted larger predators.

The return of the White Sharks on Cape Cod is a sign that the ecosystem is becoming healthier again and can sustain apex predators!  This type of conservation work is so important, and has direct impacts that can be seen in ecosystem health. Sharks are vital for our ecosystems; they keep them healthy, in turn keeping us healthy.