October 2009: Matt wins Seaweb/Marine Photo Bank’s Ocean in Focus 2009.
His image of a single mangrove shoot in front of devastating construction being done on the Bahamian island of Bimini, took the Grand Prize.
September 17, 2009 Shark Savers “ Shooting Fish in a Barrel.”
Jillian writes about illegal shark fishing in Bimini, The Bahamas.
September 2009: Marquesas Keys lemon shark survey.
Matt joined the Sharklab crew on their annual survey and photographed the work, as well as assisting in the field.
July 28, 2009: Shark Savers “ The Sharklab,”
Jillian writes about the work being done at the Bimini Biological Field Station.
October 2009: Oceanicallstars & Shark Free Marina Initiative
Duncan Brake and Jillian Morris shot & produced a PSA video about the Shark Free Marina Inititave and the Bimini Sands being the first marina in all of the Bahamas to join.
August 25-27, 2009: National Geographic: “Hooked: Caught Bare Handed.”
Duncan Brake filmed the underwater sequences for the segment shot at the Sharklab. Jillian shot second camera and acted as talent for several scenes.
August 2009: ESPN -“Pirates of the Flats”
Duncan Brake and Jillian Morris provided underwater footage for this popular fishing show.
July 2009: Jillian Morris writes article "Swimming with Sharks " for the magazine "Flying Adventures".
Jillian was interviewed for the most recent issue of "Flying Adventures". The article entitled "Swimming with Sharks" raises awareness about the amazing experience that diving with sharks can be helping dispel the man-eater myth. Photos were also provided by Jillian for the article.
June 2009: Matt Wins Ocean Views 2009 by nature's Best Photography Contest.
Congratulations go to Matt for winning the Ocean Views 2009 photography contest. Matt was the Grand Prize winner out of over 8000 entries. The winning photo was of a whale shark following a school of sardines.
June 2009: Jillian Morris writes article "The Science Of Shark Conservation" for Shark Diver Magazine.
Issue # 20 of Shark Diver Magazine features Jillian's article "The Science of Shark Conservation." The article explains some of the basic procedures that are used in doing shark research and why the work is so important for the conservation of these animals. Jillian and Duncan both provided photographs for the article.For more information about the magazine or to get a copy go to Shark Diver Magazine.
June 2009: Oceanicallstars forms Partnership with Jordy Klein Films and goes full HD.
Oceanicallstars and Jordy Klein Films forms partnership. Teaming together with Jordy Klein films, Oceanicallstars are now able to offer full production packages from full HD motion pictures, feature films to documentary shorts. Amoungst the teams arsenal of equipment are WESCAM, underwater Full HD cameras and housings including the RED and cineflex systems, HD polecams, film boats, planes, trucks
and helicopters. We can cater for all your film making requirements.
May 2009: Natures's Pathways Magazine.
Jillian was interviewed for an article about shark conservation by a guest that joined her and Duncan on the ecotourism liveaboard. The article included photos by Jillian and Duncan and will reach an audience that might not normally be exposed to these type of conservation issues.
May 2009: Matt returns from tagging Whale Sharks in Mafia Island.
Matt has completed a third field season in Mafia Island, Tanzania working with whale sharks. Identification tagging and spot-pattern ID analysis has shown a population ofover 50 individuals uses the waters around Mafia Island. Whale sharks observations have been recorded all twelve months of the year and Mafia appears to be an important site for this species in eastern Africa. Matt just initiated an autmated acoustic telemetry project on whale sharks and hopes to expand this project over the next few years with renewed support from WWF and new support from WCS. Matt will share data with researchers in Kenya, Mozambique, Madagascar, and the Seychelles so that large scale patterns in whale shark movements and behaviour may be seen.
May 2009: InStyle Magazine
Duncan appeared in the May issue of the magazine in an article about January Jones visiting the lab. Her time at the lab was a promotional project for Oceana.
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April 2009- First Shark Free Marina Initiative
This concept was developed by Patric Douglas as a means to encourage catch and release shark fishing instead of catch and kill. For many fisherman the rush of catching a shark is surpassed only by the stringing up of the animal at the dock to show off their prize catch. A marina that has signed on will not allow sharks to be brought in or to be caught and killed in the marina. Grant Johnson and Katie Grudecki organized the Sands Marina Bimini, Bahamas to be the first on the campaign. Oceanicallstars designed the logo and signs were printed on UV/Weather proof posters. Old Bahama Bay Marina, West End Grand Bahama has also signed on with Port Lucaya soon to follow. This is in exciting project that will be gaining a lot of attention in the near future as it spreads around the globe. For more information on the Shark Free marinas initiative please click the logo at the side to be redirected to the website where you will be able to recieve information packs on how you can make a difference. You can also email staff@sharkfreemarinas.com with any queries you may have about the initiative. We would encourage anyone in the shark conservation world to work together and collaborate on this project.
March 28, 2009: Shark Savers, “ Media and Sharks-A Lesson Learned.”
Jillian writes about her experience with the Today Show and the media’s portrayal of sharks.
March 22, 2009: Ecotourism Liveaboard
Duncan and Jillian have joined a Bahamian based ecotourism liveaboard to photograph and film dolphins, sharks and freedivers while collecting stock HD and HDV footage for Oceanicallstars. While onboard they are also doing shark conservation and awareness presentations. Both are actively working on new conservation videos and educational materials for kids.
March 13, 2009 Tiger Beach
Duncan joined Jillian again on another single day trip to Tiger Beach. Duncan shot a promo video while Jillian did both topside and in water photography.
March 3-6, 2009: NBC “Today Show” & Shark Diver Magazine
Jillian joined Shark Diver Magazine to be on camera for a NBC Today Show piece about diving with sharks. Jillian filmed and photographed stock footage for Oceanicallstars while host Jeff Rosen experienced the amazing sharks of Tiger Beach. The purpose of the show was to expose the viewing public to the world of shark diving with hope of changing their perception of these incredible animals. The program showed a group of divers with a wide range of experince diving with free swimming tiger sharks and lemon sharks.
February 24, 2009 -Berwick Academy South Berwick, Maine
As part of the Oceanicallstars Education and Outreach program, Jillian did four presentations on shark biology and conservation to the 3rd and 4th graders of Berwick Academy. Oceanicallstars photo andvideo were used to teach the kids why sharks are so important and what they can do to help. If we are able to educate younger generations on the importance of shark conservation it will lead to greater environmental awareness and in the future.
February 13-23, 2009 Jupiter Florida
Duncan traveled to Jupiter with other staff members from the Sharklab to work on the 2009 Lemon Shark Aggregation Project. This is project involves nearly 2 months of capturing and tagging adult lemon sharks that aggregate in this region during this time of year. This year marked the first time that bull sharks were caught and tagged for a new project. Jillian joined for a small portion to photograph the work that was being done as well as to participate in the research.
February 2-4, 09 — Oceana Films at Bimini
Members of Oceana traveled to Bimini along with actress January Jones to shoot a video which will be used in their efforts to protect and restore shark populations. The video was shot by Sharklab alumni Neil Andrea. Duncan and Jillian provided additional video footage and assisted in coordinating the shoot.
January, 2009 Shark Savers “ A Very Sharky Wish”
Jillian writes about her experience photographing Lizzie Sautter’s wish coming true at the Sharklab in Bimini.
January 18-24, 09 — Make a Wish
The Bimini Biological Field station was humbled to be asked to make a dream come true for fifteen year old Elizabeth (Lizzie) Sautter. Lizzie's wish was to have the opportunity to work with shark biologists and participate in some of the activities that would have her up close with her favorite animals. Duncan and Jillian teamed up to video and photograph this truly amazing experience. The young shark enthusiast and her family were lucky enough to swim with Carribean reef sharks as well as get up close and personal with the tiger sharks and hammerheads. Lizzie and her sister assisted in all aspects of the Shark Lab operation including working up and tagging sharks. Thank you to Lizzie and her family for allowing us to share this with you, we wish you all the best of luck for your future.
Dec 30, 2008-Jan 5, 2009: Grand Bahama Island, Bahamas Duncan and Jillian filmed and photographed the sharks, reefs and wrecks of Grand Bahama, gathering promo shots for Oceanicallstars and stock shark footage for upcoming conservation projects.
Dec 29, 2008: Tiger Beach Day Trip
Duncan joined Jillian on a single day cage diving trip to Tiger Beach with Incredible Adventures. 5 massive female tiger sharks spent several hours with the divers and put on an amazing show. Duncan filmed while Jillian photographed the adventure.
November 15-19, 08 — NHK Film Production
Duncan joined the 4 member crew from NHK, when they visited the Sharklab to film the mangroves and lemon sharks of Bimini. This was one of several stops in the Bahamas for the crew working on a program to be aired on national television in Japan.
November 14, 2008 –Hooters comes to the Sharklab
Duncan and Matt wrapped up shooting with the BBC in the morning and immediately jumped into their next project. A team of Hooters Girls traded their infamous orange and white outfits for tank tops reading “ Chum body loves me” and got up close with sharks of Bimini. This shoot was set to promote shark conservation and awareness to a general audience that might not normally see the lab and the importance of the work that is done there. The piece aired on FOX TV in March.
November 6-14, 2008 — BBC "Deadly 60" Filming at Tiger Beach
Duncan and Matt joined a team from the BBC Natural History Division to film a program on sharks for their series "Deadly 60". Duncan filmed beside Simon Enderby of ScubaZoo, while Matt did all production stills both topside and in water. After a few days of filming in Bimini with lemon and Caribbean reef sharks, the film crew along with the Sharklab staff boarded the M/V Indigo and headed to Tiger Beach. The crew spent several days filming and photographing the lemons, tigers and hammerheads while the Sharklab team tagged several large female lemon sharks and place a series of new bottom monitors.
Oct 26- Nov 12, 2008- Isla Guadalupe, Mexico
Jillian joined Lawrence Groth and the Shark Diving International Team to film the white sharks of Guadalupe. The crystal blue water and amazing visibility make this location ideal for both photo and video. Filming was done topside and from the submersible and standard shark cages. The submersible cage drops 40 feet below the surface and offers a unique and up close vantage point that the standard cage lacks.
Oct 22-25, 2008: Las Vegas, Nevada
DEMA 2008 hits Las Vegas and Jillian celebrates her 27th birthday while filming for Liquid Assets and Scuba Diving Magazine. Daily reports of new gear, new dive boats and new dive destinations were posted on ScubaDiving.com
Oct 5- Oct 21, 2008 - Grand Bahama Island, Bahamas
Jillian joined photographer Matthew Addison to model Zeagle dive gear, the Prism rebreather and Light & Motion underwater camera equipment for website and promotional shots. She donned a chain mail suit to film Caribbean reef sharks up close and personal as well as filming divers playing with bottlenose dolphins for the Underwater Explorers Society (UNEXSO) promotional video. For examples of Matt Addisons photography and Jillians underwater modelling skills click check out this website Matthew Addison.
September 17 –Oct 5, 2008 - Turks & Caicos Islands:
Jillian joined the crew of Liquid Assets Productions for 2.5 weeks to shoot 2 TV pilots. The Over/Under and Into the Drink were shot on and around the islands based out of the Turks & Caicos Explorer II liveaboard dive vessel. She filmed both topside and underwater along with doing several gear photo shoots for Light & Motion and Zeagle.
September 9, 2008- Orange County Underwater Photo Society, Southern California
Jillian was the featured guest speaker at the OCUPS September meeting. Her presentation focused on the devastation that shark finning is causing around the world.
August 25 –October 2008- Reality TV at the Sharklab.
Duncan joined the film crew from Original Productions (Deadliest Catch, Ice Road Truckers…) to follow the Sharklab staff and volunteers as they carried out their everyday activities and shark related projects around Bimini, Marquesas, Jupiter and Tiger Beach. Matt was hired by NBC to do all the production stills. The show, currently named Shark U on Original Production's website is set to air on Primetime on a major network in 2009.
July 2008 -Catalina Island, California
Jillian photographed and filmed the kelp forests of Catalina while teaching camera techniques for H20 Photo Pros. Jillian is a camera pro for the underwater camera and imaging store based in Newport Beach, California.
June 11, 08 — Tiger Beach Expedition
Matt Potenski broke away from shooting PIT and joined Doc Gruber and crew on the M/V Dollie for a trip to Tiger Beach. During the three day stay, the team encountered adult lemon sharks and tiger sharks. The work completed included DNA sampling, placing hydrophone receiver units, tagging and placement of transmitters on two adult females, and assisting field tests of "sharkproof" mesh for Lindgren-Pitman, Inc. Matt did both topside and in water photography.
June 2008 – PIT Sharklab
Each year the staff and volunteers at the Sharklab spend 3 weeks on the PIT project doing a complete sensus of the recently born lemon sharks. This involves fishing all night, every night and inserting PIT tags into every single juvenile shark caught. The passive intergrated transponders give each shark and identity so that they can be monitered and data collected as they grow. This portion of research is extremely intregal in understanding the life cycle of these animals. Matt joined the team for his 7th year and 3rd year as official photographer. He also developed the website and blog for the project.
June 2008-Na’ia Na’ia Way of the Dolphin
Duncan joined the Angel Foundation production team and spent 3 weeks filming the spotted dolphins of Bimini All shooting was done while freediving, a challenge in itself before adding a 70 pound Cineflex camera and housing to the mix. This 16mm camera shoots cinema quality footage with rolls that hold only ten minutes of footage. Filming with this camera is both challenging and tedious work, but the footage quality makes it all worthwhile.
May 8-12, 08 —National Geographic at the Sharklab
Pioneer Productions, in conjunction with National Geographic, traveled to Bimini in an attempt to catch and ultrasound a pregnant lemon shark for an upcoming show called "In the Womb".
The ultrasound was carried out on the shark by Dr. Thomas Hildebrandt, assisted by veterinarian Andrena Garabedian. Duncan assisted on filming the birth as well as providing stock lemon shark footage for the program which aired in the United States on May 10, 2009.
April 21-22, 08 — Ushiaua French Film team at the Sharklab
Duncan joined the Ushiaua team as they filmed an amazing lemon shark birth sequence in the mangroves of Bimini. His footage was used in a film as part of the Nature series produced by Ushiaua.
March 22–April 26, 2008- Dive Photo Guide Underwater Imaging Festival
Jillian represented H2O Photo Pros at the DivePhotoGuide underwater imaging festival set in Wakatobi, Indonesia. Following the festival Jillian spent time photographing both above and below the surface in Bali.
March 2008: Photographing Tiger Sharks
Flavia joined Jim Abernethy's Scuba Adventures (JASA), onboard the 65' live-aboard M/V "Shear Water" to go document and photograph tiger sharks off "Tiger Beach" in theBahamas. Flavia was lucky enough to encounter several different species on the dives from tiger sharks to lemon sharks. JASA is committed to the environment and works closely with other organisations to promote conservation and environmental awareness by educating divers and non-divers on how precious and sensitive the ocean ecosystems are so that they can be shared with future generations.
February - March 2008: Jupiter Lemon Shark Aggregation
Duncan accompanied a team from Sharklab over to Jupiter on the southeast coast of Florida to study, tag and film the lemon shark aggregations. Back in 2001 a local sports diver "Walter Stern" discovered the aggregations numbering up to 100 individuals laying on the seabed. This year the team managed to capture 24 mature lemon sharks which were all intrinsically fitted with an acoustic transmitter that will be picked up by the array of listening stations placed along the Florida coastline and allow us to track their movements. In addition to the acoustic transmitters 4 satellite pop-off tags were deployed on the dorsal fins of 4 mature female lemons which will allow us to track their long term movements. For more information on the Jupiter project or find out how you can become involved in next years project log onto Sharklab.
Feb 29th 2008: Shark Water
Rob Stewart, producer and filmmaker of the award winning documentary "SHARKWATER" visited the Bimini Sharklab along with Tyler MacLeod of Sharkwater Productions Inc. and French TV TF1. Duncan was brought onto the team to shoot underwater footage for Rob and TV TF1 for the French release of Sharkwater. While it was a short visit, it was also action packed. Sharklab and Sharkwater joined forces for a shark dive with Caribbean Reef sharks, some hands on work with our juvenile Lemon sharks and wrapped it all up early the next day by tagging one of five Tiger sharks that were caught on the long lines before releasing the 2.66m female by hand and free swimming with her before she dissapeared into the blue. Oceanicallstars wishes Rob continued success with his film and commends his team for their continuing work towards raising awareness and promoting shark conservation. Look for the North American DVD release in April, 2008 or log onto www.sharkwater.com for more information
January 24, 2008: Fabien Cousteau presents Bimini Paradise in Peril
The "Ocean Futures Society", headed by the world famous Cousteau family, has joined hundreds of other voices in the effort to save Bimini's valuable ecology. Duncan met with Fabien Cousteau, grandson of famed explorer Jacques Cousteau, when he visited Bimini in January to make a short documentary to highlight the effects of over development with the "Bimini Bay" complex in the North of Bimini. This unsustainable development lead by "Gerardo Capo" of the "Capo Group" closely linked to the Hilton Hotels chain has destroyed acres upon acres of vital mangrove habitat that provides nursery and refuging grounds for everything from Juvenille lobster and conch to lemon sharks. Destroying these fragile ecosystems will only lead to a reduction in the productivity of the fisheries and gig game fish populations around Bimini.
Fabien's team accompanied by photographer "Tim Calver" interviewed various people around Bimini on the the Bimini Bay development. Duncan provided underwater and topside footage of lemon sharks and mangroves for the documentary. Click on "Bimini, Paradise In Peril", to watch the video and log onto www.savebimini.org or www.restrictbiminibayresort.org for more information of how you can help.
January 16-19, 08 -BBC and History Channel at the Sharklab
Duncan acted as an onsite guide for the BBC crew as they carried out a recce of the Sharklab and sharks of Bimini in for an upcoming program on sharks. Duncan was also filming for the History Channel’s program on the Evolution of Sex , which included sharks and their mating behaviors.
November 2007 - February 2008 Whale Shark Research Tanzania
Through November 2007 to February 2008 Matt was conducting whale shark research off Mafia Island, Tanzania. The work initiated by the "Shark Research Institute" (SRI), and supported by the "World Wildlife Fund" (WWF) had Matt working off the dive liveaboard vessel M/V "Kairos". A large part of the work that Matt was conducting involved tagging the whale sharks so that we are able to learn about the populations utilizing the Tanzanian waters. He was also collaborating with a newly formed group called WHASCOS to promote conservation and local awareness of this magnificent species. They worked together to regulate ecotourism sustainability, educate local fishermen and help formulate a real sense of stewardship and value for the benefit of both sharks and humans allowing them to to co-exist together.
