NJ 4-H Members Take Part in Marine Research Program in Florida as Part of 4-H S.H.A.R.K. Program

NJ 4-H Members Participate in Marine Research in Florida as Part of 4-H S.H.A.R.K. Program

Several New Jersey 4-H youth members were in Biscayne Bay, Florida from April 21-24, participating in the practicum portion of the 4-H Scientific Hands-On Applied Research Knowledge (4-H S.H.A.R.K.) Program.  After first attending a series of in-state virtual sessions, these 4-H youth members (from Cape May, Essex, Hudson, Middlesex, and Monmouth Counties) spent four days learning, working, and living aboard a real-life research vessel, R/V Garvin.  Working shoulder to shoulder with actual marine scientist, these 4-H’ers actively (and safely!) worked together to capture, measure, fin clip, tag, and release live sharks.  The data collected by these NJ 4-H’ers will be used in actual scientific research. In addition to working on the research vessel, the participants were given a special tour of the Everglades on Earth Day.

Plans are already underway for 4-H S.H.A.R.K. 2024.  If you know of a high school age student who is interested in marine science, current marine science research, and wants to know more information about this 4-H program, please contact 4-H Agent Matthew Newman at m.newman@njaes.rutgers.edu.