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Videography and Shark Conservation with Jillian Morris Brake aka Bimini Shark Girl

Photo Courtesy of Kimber Kiefer

Today we’re chatting with Jillian Morris Brake aka Bimini Shark Girl. Jillian is a marine biologist, ocean conservationist, videographer, and shark lover. Her work has been featured on BBC, National Geographic, and Discovery. In this incredibly informative episode, we chat about how Jillian went from her hometown in Maine to becoming a shark conservationist in the Bahamas, what made her decide to pursue her own project, Sharks4Kids, and how she’s working to change the world’s opinion of sharks. If you’ve wanted to dive into the world behind the camera lens, this episode is for you!

Connect with Jillian
Instagram | Website

Quick Links
Maine Beaches
Florida Wildlife
Central Connecticut State
University of New England
University of Florida
Mote Marine Lab
Sylvia Earle
PADI Ambassadiver
Sharks 4 Kids
Norman the Nurse Shark
Bimini Shark lab
Blue Planet Live
Cape Eleuthera Institute
Bimini Shark Lab Research Experience
Christina Zonato

Show Notes
How growing up in Maine shaped Jillian’s marine biology dreams [1:20]
Jillian’s first encounter with a shark [2:34]
Striking balance between getting the degree she wanted and playing a sport she loved [3:30]
Interning at Mote Marine Lab on the west coast of Florida [4:55]
Biggest piece of advice for anyone considering school [7:01]
What it’s like to work with Sylvia Earle [9:14]
How Jillian got into diving and its life changing effects [11:30]
Choosing not to pursue further education and instead choosing to spend more time in the field [14:40]
How Jillian got started with Shark education and ultimately created Sharks 4 Kids [16:20]
Jillian’s answer to the inevitable “Now What? question after graduation [17:00]
“Why can’t I create them? What’s stopping me?” the questions that started Sharks 4 Kids [17:50]
All about Sharks 4 Kids [19:00]
Getting out of the classroom and into the field, and the importance of involving locals [23:23]
Trips if you’ve thought about being a marine biologist but chose a different path. Learn more, be a part of more than just a dive vacation [25:12]
Writing a children’s book “Norman the Nurse Shark” [26:15]
Getting teachers involved [29:15]
Why living on Bimini island is the best place for a Shark researcher [32:08]
How to visit Bimini biological field station [35:30]
What it means to be a PADI Ambassadiver. You don’t have to buy everything in black anymore! [36:44]
The last place where you can truly be an explorer [40:23]
Coolest thing that someone who has spent thousands of hours in the water has seen [41:16]
Favorite part about the job? It changes! [42:31]
Advice for future marine biologists [43:56]
How we change and grow from childhood. The world is full of possibilities! [46:35]
Interacting with the Zambezi, or bull, shark [48:14]
#1 lesson on interacting with sharks [50:00]
Taking fishing hooks out of sharks mouths [51:30]
Bimini Shark Girl’s favorite shark [54:30]
Favorite place to dive in the world [55:40]
Best thing you can do to help sharks and the oceans [56:27]



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