*clap clap clap snap*
Welcome to day four of shark week here on
my channel.
Today we’re not going to be talking about
sharks; we’re going to talk about the shark lady.
*ukulele music*
Famed Japanese-American Marine Biologist,
Eugenie Clark.
Not only was she a researcher on sharks, she
was also a pioneer in the use of SCUBA gear,
and continued to dive and do research well
into her 90s.
Clark began researching sharks in a time period
where sharks were still (not that much has
changed) considered deadly, awful things that
no one wanted to have anything to do with.
She started her research after WWII where
stigmas towards Japanese-Americans were pretty
high and confusing.
And she was one of the few women to be doing
research in science during that time period.
Even though her focus was sharks, she did
discover and name several new species of fish
during her research.
A lot of her research though did focus on
sharks, and getting rid of the myths around
them.
She even discovered the first effective shark
repellent which was created from secretions
in flatfish called the Moses Sol.
One of the biggest myths she dispelled as
a marine biologist was when she traveled to
undersea caves in Mexico and found sleeping
sharks.
There was a myth at that time that sharks
had to be swimming to sleep.
And her discovery of these sleeping sharks
in the caves of Mexico dispelled that myth
that sharks can't be still and sleep.
During her active years, Clark worked for
Scripps Institution of Oceanography and even
taught at the University of Maryland.
Overall, Eugenie Clark was a woman who pioneered
marine biology in that time period.
Not only for women but for people of mixed
race and color.
Her disregard of stereotypes of what can and
can't be done by a woman is insane.
Sha connected deeply with her Japanese culture
and even taught the crown prince of Japan
how to snorkel.
And she worked for years, and years, and years,
up into like I said her 90s.
She died 3 years ago, and she will be remembered
as one of THE pioneering experts in shark
research and shark science in the marine biology
field.
I hope you guys learned something today on
the ever-loved Eugenie Clark, and I encourage
you to go do your own research on her as well.
I have links to the information where I got
all her information in the description below.
Makes sure to join me tomorrow for another
fun shark week video.
Don't forget to follow me on all my social
media, consider becoming a Patron, or donating
to my PayPal.
Rejoice in the day and be glad in it!
I will see you guys later.
Bye!
