Bimini Biological Field Station - Shark Lab

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Bimini Biological Field Station - Shark Lab The BBFSF is a world-famous facility founded by shark biologist Dr. Samuel H. Gruber in 1990.

The Bimini Islands have been designated as a NEW Important Shark and Ray Area (ISRA) for Lemon Sharks (Negaprion breviro...
20/10/2026

The Bimini Islands have been designated as a NEW Important Shark and Ray Area (ISRA) for Lemon Sharks (Negaprion brevirostris) ! This ISRA meets criterion A - Vulnerability and C1 - Reproductive Areas, which designate areas important to vulnerable species and areas important to mating, birthing, laying eggs, or providing refuge or other advantages to young.

The Bimini Islands are a well-documented Lemon Shark pupping ground. Individual mature female lemon sharks have been documented to use the same area they were born in to give birth to their pups, a behavior known as natal philopatry, across multiple years and reproductive cycles.

The Bimini Islands also serve as an important nursery ground for neonate and juvenile lemon sharks. Young individuals rely on Bimini’s mangrove forests and seagrass beds for refuge from larger predators during the early years of their lives. 

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Infographic: Tim Furst
📸: Wyatt Albert
✍️: Tim Furst

19/10/2026

Mangrove patrol

In Bimini, Redfin Needlefish (Strongylura notata) can often be found roaming the mangrove sand flats.

When disturbed or attracted to artificial light at night, they can display impressive bursts of speed, sometimes launching themselves completely out of the water.

Redfin Needlefish are often mistaken for their much larger relative, the Houndfish (Tylosurus crocodilus). Both species have similar long, slender bodies, but Houndfish grow to considerably larger sizes than Redfin Needlefish.

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📸: BIMINI SHARK LAB
✍️: I S S Y

18/10/2026

This weeks visitor checking out our BRUV setup!

This green moray eel (Gymnothorax funebris), a species that typically resides in rocky caves or crevices, ventured out from underneath a rock to check out what the bait cage had to offer.

Green moray eels are a common sight throughout the Caribbean, including the Florida Keys where this survey was conducted, and Bimini! They are easily identified by their bright greenish to yellow coloration across their entire body. Green morays are truly a dark grey-brown, but they get this green color from a yellow mucus that coats their body and defends against parasites, disease, and sharp rocks.

Thank you to Ocean Mokum Foundation / Tea Zegarac for their continued support on this project!

Research activities occurred within the FKNMS and under permit FKNMS-2025-266 issued to Bimini Biological Field Station Foundation.
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📸: BIMINI SHARK LAB , Cover photo: Wyatt Albert
✍️: Tim Furst & Erin Hurley

Ever wanted to go beyond simply seeing sharks and actually learn about the science behind them?Join us at the Bimini Bio...
15/10/2026

Ever wanted to go beyond simply seeing sharks and actually learn about the science behind them?

Join us at the Bimini Biological Field Station for a unique 6-night / 7-day Introduction to Shark Science field course, designed for members of the public who want an immersive experience in shark science, conservation, and the incredible marine ecosystems of Bimini.

Program dates: June 12-18, 2027,đź“ŤBimini, The Bahamas, 14 participant spaces available

We are aware that many members of the public have a deep interest in shark science and conservation but don’t often have opportunities to explore it outside of academic institutions. We want to bridge this gap by creating opportunities for anyone to learn more about the marine environment, shark science, and conservation.

This course combines classroom learning from experts actively working in the field of shark science, including Dr. Matthew Smukall and Shark Lab station crew, with hands-on field experiences, exploring:
Mangrove forests, seagrass meadows, shallow sandy flats, rocky shores & coral reefs, diverse marine life, including sharks and rays.

You’ll learn about the biology, evolution, ecology, and conservation of sharks, while discovering the research conducted by the Shark Lab over more than 35 years.

Please note: This is not a typical diving or snorkeling holiday. Participants will not handle sharks. No previous diving or snorkeling experience is required, but participants must be comfortable in open-water conditions.

Applications open October 15 and close November 15.

For more information about this course, visit our website at: www.biminisharklab.com/courses
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Join us on a Research excursion in the Florida Keys! Interested in learning more about shark science and want to be invo...
15/10/2026

Join us on a Research excursion in the Florida Keys! Interested in learning more about shark science and want to be involved in some real shark research? We’re excited to offer an opportunity for members of the public to join the Shark Lab team during one of our research trips to experience field research firsthand!

Program dates: April 11-17, 2027 ,📍Lower Florida Keys, 4 participant spaces available 

What to expect: 
The 6-night excursion will be based in the Lower Florida Keys, where you will be involved in every aspect of our research trip, living and working alongside our team. You won’t just be observing, you’ll be part of the research team. From the moment you arrive, you’ll receive hands-on training in our research methods, learn about our current projects, and work alongside our scientists in the field.

You will assist with all aspects of field research from packing and organising gear, in-field data and sample collection, to end-of-day sample processing and boat break-down and cleaning.
 
Activities on the water may include: Setting scientific longline surveys or block rigs, acoustic receiver collection, maintenance and downloads, baited remote underwater video surveys BRUVs, and shark workups including taking biological samples (fin, muscle, blood), measurements and tagging. 

Most importantly, you’ll be contributing to long-term shark research and marine conservation efforts while gaining an inside look at what it takes to conduct research in the field!

For more information and to apply, visit our website at www.biminisharklab.com . Spaces are limited and we will be reviewing applications as they come in.

Applications open October 15, and close November 15 2027.
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Our crew cleaning up South Bimini Beaches!Some recent storms brought trash with them to our beaches, so this week our cr...
14/10/2026

Our crew cleaning up South Bimini Beaches!

Some recent storms brought trash with them to our beaches, so this week our crew headed out on the sand to collect as much trash from the beach and up into the tree line as we could. 

It was a really successful clean up, 12 bags of trash alongside larger items were collected!

If you want to find ways to get involved in similar beach cleanups or simply ways to help out, head to Rock The Ocean 🌊 to find out more!

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📸: I S S Y , Wyatt Albert

New Important Shark and Ray Area!Honeymoon Harbour, a small island just 14km south of the Bimini Islands, has been desig...
13/10/2026

New Important Shark and Ray Area!

Honeymoon Harbour, a small island just 14km south of the Bimini Islands, has been designated as a new Important Shark and Ray Area (ISRA) for Southern Stingrays (Hypanus americanus) ! This ISRA falls under criterion C1 - Reproductive Areas, which designates areas important to mating, birthing, laying eggs, or providing refuge and other advantages to young.

Findings show mature female southern stingrays and small juveniles are the most common individuals found in the area, with many of the mature females being observed to be visibly pregnant or exhibiting fresh mating scars. It is suggested that the shallow, sandy habitat provides refuge for pregnant females and juveniles from larger bodied predators.

Honeymoon Harbour is also frequently used by other elasmobranch species including the vulnerable Atlantic Nurse Shark (Ginglymostoma cirratum) and Blacktip Shark (Carcharhinus limbatus), and the endangered Blacknose Shark (Carcharhinus acronotus).
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📸: Tim Furst , Wyatt Albert
✍️: Tim Furst

12/10/2026

Leaving the mangroves!!

As juvenile Lemon Sharks (Negaprion brevirostris) get larger and older, they stray away from the safety of the mangroves and head towards the surrounding flats. This new area will also bring new prey items which will be larger, but will also bring in new and large predators as well.

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📸: Wyatt Albert

09/10/2026

Meet Shrub!

Shrub is a loving and playful little boy who is looking for his forever home! He enjoys spending time outside, playing catch with his favorite pink ball, and recently has been getting a lot more comfortable in the water! He’s a very quick learner and has already learned several commands and tricks! He’s a sweet boy who loves pats, cuddles, long walks and spending time with his favorite humans!

He is estimated to be around 6-9 months old with lots of growing, learning, and loving left to do! He has had his neuter, vaccines, and microchip so he is ready to start his next chapter. He’s great with older kids and friendly with other dogs. If you’re interested in more info or want to foster him, please contact IG Stray Dogs (& Cats!) of Bimini (https://www.instagram.com/straysofbimini/) or reach out to us via DM on Instagram!

Can’t commit to adopting right now? Consider fostering while we continue to search for a forever home! Please share to help get little Shrub more exposure!

08/10/2026

Celebrating World Octopus Day!

Bimini is home to several species of octopus, including this Caribbean Reef Octopus (Octopus briareus), the smaller Atlantic Long-armed Octopus (Macrotritopus defilippi), and the Common Octopus (Octopus vulgaris).

Octopus are members of the family Mollusca which includes sea snails like the Queen conch (Aliger gigas) and many bivalves including clams and oysters. Unlike many of their mollusc counterparts, octopuses do not have an external shell nor an internal shell-like structure found in other cephalopods like cuttlefish and squid. Without any hard shell-like structure, octopuses are able to squeeze into super tight locations to escape larger predators.

In Bimini, octopuses can be seen roaming the reefs and seagrass beds, or hiding in rocky caves and sandy holes. So if you look hard enough while snorkelling, you may find something looking back at you!
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📸: Wyatt Albert
✍️: Tim Furst

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