OCEARCH NOLA VISIT
From Hollywood’s (John Williams’) famous
tune, “duuuun dunnn…..duuuun dunnn….,” to
news outlets reporting record numbers of shark
encounters at public beaches, sharks have been
portrayed as villains in a negative light for
decades. Every now and then, someone comes
along to bring issues and misunderstandings
like this to our attention. That is exactly what
the people of Ocearch have come to do by
using groundbreaking technology and methods
to learn more about sharks.
It is Ocearch’s mission to bring to light the importance of these top tier predators of our
40
January 2016 www.marshandbayou.com
was a multi-species study of sharks in
oceans. Using the idea that the
the western Gulf of Mexico, off the
ocean is owned by no one and
coast of Texas. The expedition got off
belongs to everyone, Chris Fisto a rough start, as Hurricane Patricia
cher hopes that by providing
caused weather delays. But overall,
these free resources of informawhat the Ocearch crew found during
tion, current and future generatheir trip was an optimistic outlook for
tions’ fear of these animals will
by Leslie Vincent
the future of the Gulf.
turn into fascination.
Marsh & Bayou Outfitters
The vessel arrived dockside at the
Fischer, founder and CEO of
Audubon Aquarium of the Americas the day
Ocearch, said, “If we continue to lose our
after Thanksgiving. During its stay, Fischer held
sharks, there will be no fish for our kids to eat.”
a presentation and Q&A session on Friday, DeThe M/V OCEARCH and her crew just wrapped
cember 4th at the Entergy Giant Screen Theup their 23rd expedition. This latest expedition
ater. This presentation was free and open to
took place over October and November and