Shark biologist Eric Sander will be the guest speaker in May for the Discovery Lecture Series at Marine Discovery Center. The presentation, “Why New Smyrna Beach Is Called the Shark Bite Capital of the World,” will be held on Thursday, May 1, at 6 p.m.
Sander will explore the high number of shark encounters in New Smyrna Beach, which shark species frequent local shorelines and why encounters resulting in bites happen. He also will bring along some items to help guests better understand the movements and range of these oceanic apex predators.
A native of South Daytona, Sander began his career in the shark fishing industry before going to work for Florida’s Fish and Wildlife Research Institute as a field and research biologist in 1998. He served as the Institute’s Northeast Regional Coordinator and was responsible for the completion of fishery surveys and at-sea observer trips scheduled for the region.
In 2019, Sander launched his own business of publishing fish identification charts, guides and rulers for saltwater anglers under the brand name Tackle Box I.D. His products are distributed to tackle shops throughout Florida and Texas.
Sander also facilitates the Atlantic Shark Identification Workshops program. These workshops are sponsored by the Highly Migratory Species division of NOAA Fisheries Service that trains federally permitted seafood dealers in a specific method of shark species identification for the purpose of improving the quality of collected data. The unique method of shark identification that Sander created for the program is used not only by seafood dealers, but also by law enforcement agencies and scientists engaged in fish and wildlife research in many states.
Our Discovery Lecture Series presentations are open to the public at no charge, but donations to the center are always appreciated. Pre-registration for this lecture is required and may be done online or by phone at 386.428.4828.
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