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Email: peopleofthewaternonprofit@gmail.com

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Our team @kewinlorenzen and @cristinazenato workin

Our team @kewinlorenzen and @cristinazenato working on a film project by Maddie Kennedy, telling the story of the legendary Ben Rose, a mentor, educator and above all friend. We lost Ben and his wife Judy in a tragic accident in 2019 and we hope that this story will highlight the pivotal role he played in us and the generations to come for ocean and shark conservation. Thank you to your support we are able to provide assistance with this and many other projects. Visit @oceans.rose.film for more details. @shelbyreef @aa_artaction

Happiness is, one small hook at the time. @cristi

Happiness is, one small hook at the time.
@cristinazenato and @kewinlorenzen have been happily reporting a drastic low numbers of hooks in the local shiver of sharks; yesterday was the first time a new hook appeared in over a month and Cristina swiftly removed it. Is that one hook making a world of a difference? We believe it is, for that one shark but also for the message it sends around the world about the importance of protecting sharks and understanding the anthropogenic impact we have on our oceans. #exploration #education #conservation
Thank you @neptunic_com for providing the tool for our work @shelbyreef @aa_artaction

Mating season We have been visiting the shoreline

Mating season

We have been visiting the shorelines where nurse sharks naturally mate at this time of year and we are hoping to spot and record mating in progress. We found this female waiting in the shallows but she was never approached by a male and after half hour she left. With @cristinazenato and @kewinlorenzen

Amazing little fins created by @belindabussottibel

Amazing little fins created by @belindabussottibeli available through @aa_artaction
Art with the intent of supporting work in education and conservation through donations to our little nonprofit.
With @cristinazenato and @kewinlorenzen

@kewinlorenzen and @cristinazenato doing what they

@kewinlorenzen and @cristinazenato doing what they do best by hosting two students in their household while providing free training and hands on experience in shark and technical diving. Your donations allows them to expand their reach. #exploration #education #conservation @shelbyreef @aa_artaction @delanecooper

Congratulations to @gesa_ml for completing her cav

Congratulations to @gesa_ml for completing her cavern training with our founder @cristinazenato Your donations support our capability to host students from all over the world and share our knowledge and training. #exploration #education #conservation @shelbyreef @delanecooper @aa_artaction

Hi, my name is Vulcan and if you do not know me, I

Hi, my name is Vulcan and if you do not know me, I am a Caribbean Reef shark. I usually live in the temperate waters on reef areas of, you have guessed right, the Caribbean but can reach as far as the coast of Brazil. Some scientists place us as distant relatives of the bignose shark (C. altimus) and the sandbar shark (C. plumbeus) [Jack Garrick-1982] while some as sister species to the gray reef shark (C. amblyrhynchos) [Leonard Compagno 1988]
Regardless we are different from the Gray Reef, the Blacktip or White tip sharks.
We reach a maximum length of about 3m (9.8ft) and a weight of about 70kg (150lbs).
We are a viviparous species, that means we develop our babies with a yolk sac and a placental connection, giving live birth after a year gestation.
We become pregnant every other year, making our reproductive rate really slow.
When the babies are born they measure no more than 70cm (2.4ft). We reach sexual maturity through size not age, for males it's about 1.5–1.7 m (4.9-5.5ft) and females at 2–3 m (6.5-9.8ft).
Although we are considered Apex Predators we have the important duty of cleaners of the reef, and will consume any sick, dead, dying animal on the reef, preventing the spread of diseases.
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has assessed us as Endangered, with populations declining in many areas.
Image of Vulcan by @kewinlorenzen with @isotta_underwater_housings @waterproofinternational @neptunic_com @scubapro
#understandsharks #protectsharks

To Celebrate World Oceans Day, for each upcycled S

To Celebrate World Oceans Day, for each upcycled SharkSuit anklet sold today, 100% of the net profits, with a minimum of $10 per anklet, will be donated to the our Non-Profit to continue our work in exploration and education.
These anklets are made in cooperation between @goghjewelrydesign and @neptunic_com shark suits.
#exploration #education #conservation @cristinazenato @kewinlorenzen

#Repost @saltywaveblue ・・・ Excited to annou

#Repost @saltywaveblue
・・・
Excited to announce my @thebrilliantHQ story about @CristinaZenato. It was wonderful to meet Cristina and learn about her amazing life working with sharks, exploring the caves of The Bahamas, and her fantastic contribution to marine conservation. Read “The shark whisperer’s mission”.
Link in bio
#sharks #sharkdiving #marineconservation #cavediving #diving #conservation #oceanconservation #thebahamas
#waterconservation

These amazing bronze shark fins created by @belind

These amazing bronze shark fins created by @belindabussottibeli for @aa_artaction are available for purchase on their website. A portion of the sales will be donated to support our work in shark conservation through education.
With @cristinazenato and @kewinlorenzen

Repost from @cristinazenato And so it shows how

Repost from @cristinazenato

And so it shows how just shortly outside of our circles of shark loving people, the fear and the misunderstanding is still so wide spread. There is a huge need for education, for explanation. No matter the videos, the storie, the positive we share, many still refuse to move from fear. Fear is a primordial reaction, it keeps us alive, it’s an instinctual gut feeling and a hard one to let go of. Our incorrect perceptions, however, don’t make them real. That is the issue, we project a concept and are incapable of discerning that what we see is the reality and what we think a false belief. These comments come from lack of education, experience and desire to radicate what we feel keeps us alive. #educationisthekey

Education is the key. Our founder @cristinazenato

Education is the key. Our founder @cristinazenato has been invited to speak at @owuss_ award evening. Through the years Cristina has hosted scholars and shared with them her work with sharks, in caves, provided training and support during their stay. These are the future ambassadors and leaders of ocean conservation. @shelbyreef @delanecooper @neptunic_com

We so excited to host @gesa_ml Gigi for a few week

We so excited to host @gesa_ml Gigi for a few weeks to learn about sharks, caves, and the behind the scenes of balancing the act of diving professionals and ocean conservationists.
Gigi reached out with a very genuine and compelling message and we decided to host her for a few weeks as she builds her career in marine conservation. Gigi will experience the early morning, the busy days, the computer time. We do not offer sanctioned internships but sometimes individuals reach out to us with a unique view and energy and we are happy to host them to experience our work. Your support helps us saying yes to more of these requests. With @cristinazenato and @kewinlorenzen
@shelbyreef @delanecooper @aa_artaction

Education is the key. We provide direct experienc

Education is the key.
We provide direct experiences as well as remote online sessions; we work with people and host scholars and students, we support local Bahamians training.
Our tireless team @kewinlorenzen and @cristinazenato share the time between working in the diving industry and supporting projects of exploration and education to promote conservation. The further we can share the message the more we obtain.
Your donations helps expand our reach.
We are thankful to @shelbyreef , @delanecooper @aa_artaction and @neptunic_com for their help and continued support.

When we first heard the news we were worried that

When we first heard the news we were worried that it might be a case of ingested garbage and unfortunately it is true.
We have to do better, we can do better.
Education is the key, learning to reduce and reuse and understanding that recycle is not the solution to such a vast amount of production is fundemental. We provide education through zoom classrooms about enviornmental issues.
Read more about Problem in Paradise in our blog, link in bio
@cristinazenato @kewinlorenzen @shelbyreef

The story of our team member @kewinlorenzen Repos

The story of our team member @kewinlorenzen
Repost @cristinazenato
I want to share the story of @kewinlorenzen to inspire young people.
Kewin contacted me to conduct cave diver and technical gas training with a 5-day shark course. He arrived on the island to start a month-long training January 1st, 2018.
Kewin found his call to diving while scuba training in Fiji. At the end of his three months, he decided to pursue a career in diving, leaving behind his engineering. It was not easy to find possibilities, but Kewin kept taking courses, doing research, and adapting to the no he received. It was clear listening to his story that he never gave up, no matter how many obstacles. By the time he landed in Grand Bahama, he was a scuba instructor with five specialties instructor level and a big desire to learn more.
After a couple of months of watching his dedication, I offered him a position and he accepted.
He mastered taking videos, driving boats, fixing tanks, and within six months, he could complete more tasks than others in the same position for two years.
Kewin asked me to join my cave diving. In those days I went for personal interest, and exploration. I agreed, under the condition that he would prepare our outings. He needed to understand the hard work behind cave diving. A sort of test; I had previous experience with young people I trained who gave up once they realized the work required. I adapted my dives to Kewin’s level, and we built his experience. When Kewin had the time, he continued to cave dive and learn on his own, building hours in the cave.
Today, Kewin is a sidemount rebreather cave diver, has mastered survey methodologies, and new technology. We work as a team, sharing exploration, adventures, and the best part of it, acquiring new knowledge every day.
He continues his work with sharks, video cameras, and ideas we create together. We both suffered setbacks from Hurricane Dorian and COVID lockdowns. Kewin did something only a handful do: he decided to stay and not give up.
Instead of looking at what he could not have, he looked for what he could have. Paths in life may be different or similar, but we carve our way by the chances we take.

Baby sharks?!? Who are the little guys hanging of

Baby sharks?!?

Who are the little guys hanging off sharks in the videos? Are those baby sharks?
Did you know? Sharks don't have parental care of their youngs; no matter the method of birth they use (there are different methods based on species) once born the pups are left to fend off for themselves.
These little guys are called remora, a fish with a unique capability. Their distinctive first dorsal fins take the form of a modified oval, sucker-like organ with slat-like structures that open and close to create suction and take a firm hold against the skin of larger marine animals. The shark and remora relationship benefits both species. Remoras eat scraps of prey dropped by the shark. They also feed off of parasites on the shark’s skin and mouth. This makes the shark happy because the parasites would otherwise irritate the shark. In return the remora receives a safe place to stay under the protection of the shark and a free transportation through the ocean.
Video by @kewinlorenzen and @cristinazenato
@shelbyreef @neptunic_com @delanecooper

We are so excited to have connected with Belinda B

We are so excited to have connected with Belinda Bussotti @belindabussottibeli, international artist and founder together with Mornar and Dario Vella of @aa_artaction.
Through the sales of their art, they are committing 20% to support to our work in #exploration #education and #conservation.
Visit their page and discover their creations. Link in bio.
Featured in the images is the cute bronze fin created by Belinda (Beli)
#artforconservation #protectsharks #lovesharks

@cristinazenato explains why sharks can sit on the

@cristinazenato explains why sharks can sit on the ocean floor. With over 28 years of experience diving with sharks, Cristina can bring education right to your school, group or family. Contact us for more details on how to learn. #exploration #education #conservation #understandsharks
Video by @kewinlorenzen

From our founder @cristinazenato The side of my wo

From our founder @cristinazenato The side of my work that is rarely seen and advertised; after all how to post that I spent the day sitting at the computer completing the above the water tasks necessary to conduct the under the water work and expand education and conservation?
My day started with a call with a possible future guest discussing diving possibilities and option for a visit. Because the person was from Australia we matched the time as my early morning. Right after I jumped on a YouTube recording session for Scuba Girls International and an interview about my work with sharks, in caves and the life I have created for myself through the years, what it takes, what it gives. I then continued with a one-on-one call for a mentorship program, supporting through first conversations and eventually through meeting and diving together. During a little gap I managed emails and another business call to then continue with another educational presentation for a school and later joining a shark ecology class as a special guest. I finished the night with participating as one of the four panelists for the @wdhof mentorship program “women in technical diving”
Paying it forward is a big part of my work, I support various organizations mentorship programs as well as provide individual assistance (through a selection program)
It is all conducted on my own time and without compensation. #eduacation is the key, now going diving for the next week to rest 😂
Support Cristina’s work through our non profit, link in bio.
With @kewinlorenzen

We are so excited about the new @neptunic_com and

We are so excited about the new @neptunic_com and @cristinazenato shirts in mint color, and thank you to the amazing friend and supporter Szilvia @goghjewelrydesign for the modeling. With each sale, Neptunic supports our organization in the outreach work we conduct in shark and ocean conservation.

Perfectly said by our wonderful team member @kewin

Perfectly said by our wonderful team member @kewinlorenzen

#Repost @kewinlorenzen with @make_repost
・・・
This is coexistence a diver and a shark glide over my head sharing the same space without fear, without feeling the need to remove one or the other.
with @cristinazenato

@neptunic_com @waterproofinternational @fourthelementdive

Afraid of sharks? Our founder @cristinazenato addr

Afraid of sharks? Our founder @cristinazenato addresses Galeophobia in her column for DIVER magazine
Read it now on digital education by subscribing with link in bio

#DIVERMAG

Each shark we dive with presents physical and beha

Each shark we dive with presents physical and behavioral differences; they are individuals with personalities, attitudes, and unique capabilities. Some learn fast; some learn slower, some are bolder, while others are shyer. We love to interact with each one according to how they are and not the other way around. We collect images of each individual and monitor if those physical details change over time; their skin can heal so well that sometimes the details disappear.
Taking images of @kewinlorenzen as he works with Grandma, with @isotta_underwater_housings and @neptunic_com
Image by Alex Rose @noblue.nogreen
#exploration #education #conservation

How can we change the world? Our belief is by chan

How can we change the world? Our belief is by changing one person at the time, creating new ambassadors, fostering awareness and appreciation through #exploration, #education and #conservation. Cristina Zenato and Kewin Lorenzen continue in their mission by hosting scholars from all over the world, involving them in free training for sharks and technical diving, explaining the relationships of these delicate eco-systems, all the while sharing their home, time and puppies. Arzucan Askin and Jamil Wilson stayed with them for two weeks each before continuing on their adventure.
Help us to continue and expand these programs link in bio.
@shelbyreef @delanecooper

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