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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Times Advocate, 2007-08-08, Page 16Crossroads 16 Times -Advocate Wednesday, August 8, 2007 Exeter woman takes love of sharks to Florida By Nina Van Lieshout TIMES -ADVOCATE STAFF EXETER — A love of sharks came at a young age for 23 - year -old Danielle Knip of Exeter who was "just a kid." In Grade 9 Knip researched a project on the Great White Shark, sparking her love for sharks. Now years later, Knip, who recently came home after studying sharks in Sarasota, Florida, is living her dream. Knip completed a four and a half year program at Dalhousie University in Halifax, graduating with Honours in Marine Biology. She was then given the opportunity to complete a co- operative education program placement, and after discover- ing there wasn't much in Canada, Knip applied else- where — the Shark Conservation Program at the Mote Marine Laboratory in Sarasota, Florida. "It was a last minute thing," says Knip, adding that "it was extremely competitive and I had no idea what to expect." Fortunately Knip's qualifica- tions were impressive and she was accepted alongside only three other volunteers — an Australian and two Americans, one from California and one from Texas. Knip was also the only woman, another accomplish- ment. Knip set off for Sarasota for what she thought would be three months, but stayed a month longer because she was so passionate about her work. When sent to Sarasota, Knip was assigned to assist in an ongoing project that researchers have studied for about eight years, the endan- gered Smalltooth sawfish. The Smalltooth sawfish is in the Ray family and, "It's the only endangered ray in the Big catch — Exeter's 23 -year-old Danielle Knip has recently returned from studying sharks with the Shark Conservation Program at the Mote Marine Laboratory in Sarasota, Florida. While in Sarasota, Knip caught a 12 -and -a -half foot Great Hammerhead Shark, the largest caught in I0 years by the researchers at Mote Marine Laboratory. (photos/submitted) United States," says Knip, adding that "it's a weird look- ing creature but it's amazing " Knip also shares a startling fact about the Smalltooth saw- fish. "In the past 100 years, 95 per cent of the population has decreased," says Knip, adding that "there's only a few thou- sand left in the Florida popu- lation." Knip says in 2003 the National Marine Fisheries Service listed the Smalltooth sawfish as endangered under the U.S. Endangered Species Act. "This is a huge deal," says Knip "It's the first and only ray (to be on the endangered list)," adds Knip. Originally the Smalltooth sawfish was found all the way from the Bahamas to New York but it's now only found Research — Knip studied the Smalltooth sawfish while in Sarasota for four months.The Smalltooth sawfish, part of the Ray family, is the only endan- gered ray on the U.S. Endangered Spieces Act.The National Marine Fisheries list- ed the Smalltooth sawfish in 2003. Knip says over the last 100 years, the population has decreased by about 95 per cent.To the left Knip pulls in a Smalltooth sawfish for research purposes, releasing the sharks after completing the necessary data.Above right a baby Smalltooth sawfish is measured as part of the research process. Smalltooth sawfish can grow to about 20 feet long. They have 22 to 29 teeth on each side. Below right Knip pulls in a Smalltooth sawfish as Mote staff biologist Armando Ubeda and Mote senior biolo- gist Jack Morris help out. in the Florida area. Knip was also given the opportunity to travel by boat, catching and tagging various sharks for research purposes, releasing them back into the water once finished entering the needed data. Knip says the first shark she caught was a bull shark only two feet long. "My heart was racing," says Knip. "I'd never done anything like that before," she adds. Another highlight during her adventure was catching 13 Smalltooth sawfish in three months, something that is unheard of. "It was an amazing season," says Knip, adding, "I was so proud and so happy. We caught six in five days." Eleven of the 13 Smalltooth sawfish were young of the year (babies) which was also a large feat for the researchers. This allowed the team to conduct extensive research, a large focus of the season since funding was especially allocat- ed for that purpose. And as for Knip's favourite personal achievement, towards the end of her jour- ney Knip caught and pulled in an 800 pound, 12 -and -a -half foot Great Hammerhead Shark. It took Knip half an hour to pull in the shark, which wasn't giving in easily. The Great Hammerhead Shark was brought in using a 40 -pound drum line which is attached to a 100 -foot -long, 100 -pound test monofilament leader with an 18/0 circle hook. "It was the biggest one caught in 10 years," says Knip." Knip is currently taking the year off, while working in Grand Bend. For now, Knip plans to stay in Exeter, where she's origi- nally from. She has taken a lot from this experience — knowledge, friendship and the doors have certainly opened after her placement for other opportu- nities in the near future. As for Knip's next step, she's hoping to finish grad school and continue shark research. For more information on the Mote Marine Laboratory or interesting facts and informa- tion on marine biology visit www.mote.org