November 7 marks our five year anniversary, so we though it would be fun to highlight the people who make our program possible!
Eimear Manning is one of ambassadors and she is located in Ireland. Learn more about Eimear and her shark life.
1. How long have you been involved with Sharks4Kids?
I started volunteering with Sharks4kids in April 2017
2. What has been a highlight moment while working with Sharks4Kids?
The highlights for me have been seeing the change in so many people's attitudes towards sharks. Thanks to Sharks4kids I have the materials needed to give a whole new perspective on sharks to the next generation, and teachers who can pass the message on for years to come. Seeing so many young people get on-board with the knowledge that sharks need be to protected, not feared, gives me so much hope for the future of our finned-friends.
3. What made you interested in sharks?
I've talked to my parents about this, and none of us can remember! My mother tells me that I've ALWAYS been interested in sharks. Since I was a toddler! So I guess I just felt a draw to them. Maybe I was a shark in a past life
4. Favorite shark experience?
This summer I learned how to take blood from sharks, as well as stitch them back up after putting an acoustic tag in them. It was amazing! Not only that - but my second blood draw was on a shark I had never seen before - the Atlantic Sharpnose (Rhizoprionodon terraenovae) - an adorable little spotty white shark. She was so cute!
Eimear taking a blood sample from an Atlantic sharpnose shark during a scientific workout. Shark was released safely. Research done under permits.
5. What do you look forward to in the future with Sharks4kids?
I look forward to seeing Sharks4kids grow and become even more global than it already is. I know there are Sharks4kids representatives in the U.S., the U.K., and Ireland (which is amazing!) - but I can't wait to see Sharks4kids presentations and activities translated into different languages to be taught all around the world! Sharks are everywhere, so Sharks4kids should be too