Sneaky Sharks Sidestep Scientist

STRI Intern Erin Dillion sifts through sediment to determine where the sharks of the Caribbean have gone.

Erin Dillon, an intern at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute (STRI) in Panama, has been conducting research in the coral reefs around Bocas Del Torro in Panama. Dillon noticed when she was diving around the degraded coral reefs that there were no sharks in sight. She thought that maybe the predators were only active at night or are more prevalent in low visibility waters. However, Dillion has had experience in healthier reef systems in Australia and the Palmyra Atoll where sharks were more plentiful. You can read more about Erin’s internship experience here.