Shark Research Expedition
AUGUST 5, 7AM-12PM — GARIBALDI, OR
This trip leaves from The Port of Garibaldi, OR.
Join us for an unforgettable, one-of-a-kind offshore shark ecotourism expedition with world-renowned shark scientists from Oregon State University’s Big Fish Lab (BFL) and Garibaldi Charters. This isn’t just a boat ride—it’s your chance to actively participate in real shark research. You’ll help deploy baited lines and create chum slicks to attract sharks, assist in safely bringing them alongside the boat, and take part in data collection by measuring and tagging species such as blue sharks, salmon sharks, and possibly even white sharks (no sharks are gaurunteed) . As part of BFL’s ongoing conservation studies, you’ll observe the use of ultrasound technology to confirm pregnancy and assess reproductive health. Pregnant sharks will be fitted with non-invasive satellite tags to track their migration routes and identify critical pupping grounds. It’s a thrilling, educational, and meaningful adventure where you’ll contribute to cutting-edge science while experiencing sharks in their natural habitat. Learn more at Oregon State University's Big Fish Lab.
Join internationally recognized shark scientists from the Big Fish Lab aboard Garibaldi Charters for a citizen science shark research expedition off the Oregon coast.
Using state of the art techniques to study these majestic animals while onsite, we will be chumming and fishing for sharks, to learn more about why the sharks are here in Oregon and how we can help conserve their populations. While on board will cover topics including the many aspects of shark biology, shark ecology, and shark conservation. While we will be attempting to attract and catch sharks, sharks are NOT guaranteed, but lots of learning and great conversation will happen along the way.
THE BIG FISH LAB
The Big Fish Lab, led by Dr James Sulikowski and Dr Taylor Chapple, studies sharks and other large marine predators around the world focusing on their movements, behaviors and population dynamics. From South Africa to Australia to California, using state-of-the-art technology and techniques, we sample and electronically tag animals to gain insights into their lives when we aren’t there to observe them. In Oregon, we leverage partnerships with industry, management, science and local communities to study the sharks off our coasts to better understand the roles these animals play in our marine ecosystems and economies. Relatively little is known about how sharks affect our coastal ecosystems and communities in the Pacific Northwest, but we are changing that.
The Big Fish Lab (BFL) collaborates with local fishing charters to conduct research and support education in order to serve as a source of positive influence in the shark conservation and management. This collaboration is built on a foundation of socially-just and sustainable solutions for managing sharks through a human-inclusive, citizen science approach. Their aim is to generate knowledge through the study of population dynamics, movement patterns and reproductive biology of these charismatic group of fish. This BFL team works to ensure a future with well managed shark populations exists, as sharks are vital in helping to regulate and balance the global climate and our ocean ecosystems.
MEET THE RESEARCHERS
Dr. James Sulikowski
In addition to being the Director of the Coastal Oregon Marine Experiment Station, Dr. James Sulikowski is a marine biologist and professor at Oregon State University. He has 25 years of experience working with cartilaginous and bony fish. He has more than 100 peer-reviewed publications and his research has garnered more than $13 million in external grant funding.
James has appeared on numerous local and national television shows including the Today Show, Ocean Mysteries, the BBC, Discovery Channel, and National Geographic. Dr. Sulikowski has a bachelor’s degree in biology from Denison University, masters’ degrees in marine biology (Nova Southeastern University) and physiology (Depaul University), as well as a Ph.D. in Zoology (UNH).
Dr. Taylor Chapple
Over the past 15 years, Taylor has been studying sharks and other large marine predators around the world focused on their movements, behaviors and population dynamics. From South Africa to Australia to California, using state of the art technology, he electronically tags animals to gain insights into their lives when we aren’t there to observe them. At OSU, Taylor studies the sharks off our coasts and works with local communities to better understand sharks in Oregon. Relatively little is known about how White, Salmon and Sevengill sharks affect our coastal ecosystems, but Taylor and the BFL plan to change that.
Alex is a Cooperative Institute for Climate, Ocean, and Ecosystem Studies (CICOES) fellow working with Taylor Chapple (OSU), David Huff (NOAA Fisheries), and other mentors and collaborators to determine the foraging ecology and ecosystem impact of salmon sharks in the Pacific. Her research generally focuses on how marine organisms respond to biotic (living) and abiotic (non-living) environmental variables. Alex use this information to contextualize and predict behavior, movement patterns, and survival, mostly exploring this topic in threatened marine fishes. She is currently examining the foraging ecology of salmon sharks in Oregon and Alaska (including microplastic ingestion), the distributions of Chinook salmon and their overlap with salmon sharks, the movements of Pacific spiny dogfish, the social lives of sharks generally, and many more species and topics!
Dr. Sulikowski and Dr. Chapple have trained hundreds of students from all demographic backgrounds, with a dedicated and ongoing emphasis on increasing diversity in this field. These actions are deliberately designed to build the next generation of shark- and oceans-focused STEM ambassadors in coastal communities worldwide, equipped with knowledge of cutting-edge scientific and technological innovation in shark research.
Their work, centered on marine apex predator conservation - especially sharks - stretches globally across our ocean planet. Together, they form a dynamic duo of shark science, unique to universities across the world. Together, they innovate how shark research is typically pursued, inventing new technologies and techniques to help protect and save sharks, which in turn helps keep marine ecosystems and the communities and industries they support vibrant and productive. Together, they have built a team of international collaborators and a unique community, bringing complementary expertise in climate science, ecology, behavior, and physiology that are critical to advancing the mission to conserve sharks and the ecosystems they inhabit.
Please read all of the information below to be fully prepared for your Shark Expedition !
-
Due to the nature of fishing on the Oregon Coast, fishing trips may be cancelled for rough conditions. Please plan accordingly, and feel free to call the Garibaldi Charters office, (503) 322-0007, before you come, to check the latest weather conditions.
-
All shark chumming/ fishing/ and research equiptment.
We will be bringing 3 fishing pole and tackle to use during downtime. Due to the nature of shark research, this will be a side activity and not the main attraction.
Crabbing (ocean conditions permitting - captain will make decision the morning of the trip)
Fish filleting - Fish will be filleted and packed into a plastic bag after your trip
Crab cooking - Please allow 1 - 1.5 hrs for fillet and crab cooking. If this is too long to wait, you are more than welcome to take your your crab live and/or your fish whole- please just let the deckhand know before she offloads to the fillet dock
-
Lunch or refreshments.
Fishing and crabbing license/tag, see below.
-
IF you would like to fish while we are chumming and waiting for potential sharks, you will need a fishing license.
You may pre-purchase your licenses directly from ODFW at MyOdfw.com to avoid the need to come by the office the morning of the trip (we recommend waiting until a day or two before your trip to purchase your license so you can check conditions).
The following are available for purchase at the office 15-20 minutes prior to Start Time:
One day fishing (includes shellfish) - $23
Oregon resident annual shellfish - $10
Non-resident 3 day shellfish - $19
-
ONCE BOOKED please sign this Garibaldi Charters Boat Trip Waiver waiver for your specific trip. Make sure the date on the waiver is correct for when you are attending.
if signing up for you and a friend or group, you may enter their name and email at the bottom of your waiver in the space provided, and they will be sent a link. Entering names at the bottom of your waiver does not constitute a waiver for those people. It will only send them their own link, which they must click on and sign for themselves.
link here: https://book.peek.com/waivers/e04b255c-76f9-4eed-a1e5-51532a4115b9/b_jx8mr7n;s=7d4503f26ba81233
-
Seasickness if a fairly normal occurrence, not for everybody, and not on every day, but if conditions are rough it can happen! (Alanna is often more sick than anybody)
Bonine is a form of less drowsy dramamine if you’re looking for something. Remember to take the night before, and again 1 hour before check in time - according to package instructions, of course! -
There will be one Captain (Marty) and one deckhand (Robby) on this trip, please keep in mind it is customary to tip the deckhand so consider bringing some extra cash!