ΒιΆΉΒγΑΔ Marine Science graduate pens piece about experience on β€˜Shark Week’

Carolyn Wheeler dives with tiger sharks in the Bahamas
Carolyn Wheeler dives with tiger sharks in the Bahamas

Carolyn Wheeler ’15 wrote an opinion editorial for the Bangor Daily News titled, β€œI swim with sharks. That’s how I know we’re the dangerous ones.” The piece describes her experience doing research on tiger sharks in the Bahamas, which was documented in β€œTiger Beach,” the premiere episode of popular the Discovery Channel series Shark Week which also featured Professor James Sulikowski, Ph.D.

In the article, Wheeler discussed the need for research on the reproductive behavior of sharks so their habitats can be protected. She also explained why it is so important to dispel the myth that sharks are blood-thirsty killers. β€œIt is possible to dive with sharks safely, partially because of their combination of keen senses. Sharks can identify from smell and sight that a diver is not a fish; therefore, they’re unlikely to be interested enough to even come close. When sharks do bite humans, it’s accidental. Of course, sharks are a predator and demand our respect when diving and researching. However, peaceful interactions help us show that sharks pose little threat to humans.”

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The ΒιΆΉΒγΑΔ is Maine’s largest independent university, with two beautiful coastal campuses in Maine, a one-of-a-kind study abroad campus in Tangier, Morocco, and an array of . In an uncommonly welcoming and supportive community, we offer hands-on learning, empowering students to make a positive impact in a world full of challenges. The state’s top provider of health professionals, we are home to Maine’s only medical college, Maine’s only dental college, a variety of other interprofessionally aligned health care degree programs, as well as nationally recognized programs for marine science degrees, natural and social sciences degrees, arts and humanities degrees, and business degrees.