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Email: peopleofthewaternonprofit@gmail.com

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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

We are so happy to being able to host the next Our

We are so happy to being able to host the next Our World Underwater Scholarship Society scholar @zuzu_askin. During the next two weeks, Arzu will join @cristinazenato and @kewinlorenzen on shark diving, research, and cave diving training. Your donations help us support these internships. #exploration #education #conservation

Happy Valentine’s to everyone and especially to

Happy Valentine’s to everyone and especially to this wonderful Planet we live on. Let’s show her some love, as every day is Earth Love Day. If we want to improve the way we are treating our planet we can do it with small daily actions and through tiny life changes. When we walk the beach @kewinlorenzen and @cristinazenato always clean it on their way; each one of us could decide to clean just a small portion of the usual route we cover, a road, a bank of a river, a countryside path, or a beach. We can also reduce some of the single use plastic items in our lives and decorative balloons should be an easy choice. I am always surprised by the amount we find. So this Valentine’s Day let’s show our Planet some love and celebrate without gifting a balloon. It’s a simple and easy item to give up. #noballoons #lovetheplanet #starthrower
Thank you @shelbyreef for the wonderful suppprt

Raising awareness one small hook at the time. Whil

Raising awareness one small hook at the time. While we work with sharks and collect long term data on their presence, behavior, mating seasons, we also take the opportunity to remove hooks from the local shiver to show that sharks are vulnerable by the presence of humans. Your donations help us expand the direct work with sharks as well the educational outreach. #exploration #education #conservation Image of @cristinazenato by @kewinlorenzen with the most recently removed hook from Peggy.

Read this: #Repost @cristinazenato with @make_re

Read this:

#Repost @cristinazenato with @make_repost
・・・
I took a few screenshots of this video and added the true commentary to what is happening!
My blood boils just noting the technique used to over-inflate an incorrectly report the situation. In the video, a jet skier starts harassing a Bull Shark by circling and following around. The shark turns around to defend the territory. If somebody behaved similarly to an elephant, the world would immediately identify the behavior as harassment. Yet, in the headline, the shark attacks a jet skier minding his own business.
The negative and hyped-up words are in red to amplify the danger related to the situation: charging, personal vendetta, aggressively launches, attack, bite marks, circle for the perfect opportunity, strike again, terrifying, and ends with human holds position firmly.
Within seconds of watching the video, it is noticeable that the shark is being harassed. The jet skier was not just cruising along the shoreline, but he intentionally followed and circled the shark. The animal responds in a territorial protective way, trying to scare a possible intruder perceived as similar in size and competition. The most disturbing words indicate that the shark has a direct intention to attack and kill the human, when in fact, the shark is in direct competition with the jetski and does not realize nor care about the driver. The jetski is the foreign entity the shark wants to move out of the personal space. As for the last part, "the driver holds the position firmly," it shows the ignorance behind this attitude in its incredible vastity. The driver should have left the area, as he can, the shark can't, so there is nothing firm to hold, only to understand and move away.
A perfect example of why the Daily Mail needs a good lesson in #mindyourlanguage campaign created by @bite_backsharkconservation
. #protectsharks #educationisthekey #itstheirocean

Conservation is an interconnected affair Being ba

Conservation is an interconnected affair

Being based in The Bahamas we happily see these crabs on the beach and the forest and never thought about the bad trade industry affecting them. Please consider reading about the animals you think would be great pets and do not support something so destructive to the eco-systems these creatures come from.

#Repost @thedodo with @make_repost
・・・
Woman found hermit crabs being given away on Craigslist and gave them a dream life 🏝 🐚 (🦀: @twoclawsup, special thanks to @peta)

Paper on Oceanic White Tip sharks behavior in feed

Paper on Oceanic White Tip sharks behavior in feeding differences between sexes as well as segregation between males and females, an occurence observed as well in our local Caribbean Reef sharks. A shiver of femal Caribbean Reef swims towards Cristina Zenato as she descends on her usual dive site. Paper link in bio.
#exploration #education #conservation

@kewinlorenzen looks at the amazing effect of his

@kewinlorenzen looks at the amazing effect of his cave light coming through the calcite crystal in Mermaid’s Lair, Grand Bahama Island. These formations known as speleothems are an indication that these caves were once dry. Both fresh and salt water are currently flowing through them, providing drinking water for humans as well as exchange of nutrients for all animals living in the ecosystems related to these caves. Protecting what we don’t see below our feet allows us to protect what is evident around us. A lot of the work that Kewin and @cristinazenato conduct is identifying these locations, marking their presence and provide information to the local authorities for better and safer land developments. #exploration #education #conservation
Image @cristinazenato

We were able to follow @queenconchlab Dr Megan Dav

We were able to follow @queenconchlab Dr Megan Davies for a couple of days of her amazing educational and conservation work on the island of Grand Bahama with the fishers from East End and Sweetings cay. It was the perfect example of how everything is so vitally interconnected. Queen conch are vegetarian and are fundamental in the keeping of the sea grass beds. From the sea grass to the creatures depending on them all the way up the food chain. Such a small creature with so much value to teach us that to protect one we need to protect the whole. #exploration #education #conservation

Words by our founder @cristinazenato #Repost @cr

Words by our founder @cristinazenato

#Repost @cristinazenato with @make_repost
・・・
The most common reply I receive on posts stating that humans are not on the sharks' food list is "USS Indianapolis."
With all the consideration and respect for the lives lost in that tragic day, bringing up The Indianapolis proves my point.
If we consider sharks consuming humans, there is this example people refer to, and it happened 76 years ago! To highlight that event is the perfect exception to the rule. In a previous post, I explained how the sinking of a whole ship with canteen, latrines, and human bodies in all conditions was the reason why sharks were attracted to the scene, to clean up what nature deemed as a mess. It does not prove that sharks are actively targeting and consuming humans regularly. There is a considerable time discrepancy between when sharks appeared on this planet and when humans took to the water; we do not belong to their genetic code for food. To learn more about sharks, their true nature, we should follow positive accounts of actual experiences of people who spend a lot of time in the water with sharks, all different species, and ask questions. We should keep an open mind that we might be wrong about sharks after all. One of my favorite accounts on instagram is @scott_fairchild; out of San Diego he shows daily videos of great whites, perhaps the most feared of sharks with the worst rep, sharing their space with surfers and swimmers.
#exploration #education #conservation
Image of Caribbean Reef sharks, Bahamas. @peopleofthewater @wdhof

Read the following words carefully. "Sharks do and

Read the following words carefully.
"Sharks do and will kill or eat humans depending on the species; depending on the species some are likely to attack and kill or eat humans [...]"
This is one of the numerous daily comments under videos posted by people diving, freediving, swimming or interacting with sharks. I am not posting it to blast the individual who wrote it, but because as a small circle of shark lovers, we need to understand that the majority of the world around us still has this impression of sharks. The fact that there are rare negative encounters does not mean that sharks swim around the oceans in search of humans. In all honesty, if they did, we would not have any kind of water sports. When I read those comments, I realize that it's fear fueled by lack of education and that the two go hand in hand. I always try to address the facts of sharks and humans encounters, rather than the hyped up perceptions we are forced to swollow through selective and incorrect information. I also encourage the person to view the profiles of more people sharing the oceans with sharks and to realize that what we hear about sharks and humans is the exception to the rules, that the majority of moments sharks swim by humans and totally ignore them. Knowledge is indeed power, the power to dismantle fear and create understanding, appreciation and the desire to protect.
#exploration #education #conservation
Image of friend and amazing shark diver Neal Watson Jr taking an image of a beautiful tiger shark swimming between the two of us and ingnoring both. Tiger Beach, Grand Bahama Island with @biminiscubacenter @isotta_underwater_housings @waterproofinternational @diveshearwater @scubapro

During the last year, our founder @cristinazenato

During the last year, our founder @cristinazenato has joined over 200 online presentations and spoken to schools, universities, different groups about #exploration #education and #conservation. Your support of our nonprofit provides the opportunity to expand our educational outreach.

We are so thankful for the amazing support of Nept

Words by @cristinazenato This hook just came out

Words by @cristinazenato
This hook just came out of Vulcan. While I find the circular hooks the hardest to remove, these double and tripe hooks are the most dangerous for my safety. As I remove the hooks using my hands and grabbing one of them, the other two move around and they risk to catch the links in my @neptunic_com maille locking me into the shark. Should the shark make a brusk movement I could either rip part of my maille or, as it has happened before, receive a sharp jerk to my arm and wrist.
They also pose a higher threat to the shark; more than once the second and third hook find another location where to catch, forcing the animal to swim incorrectly and causing futher damages to different areas. The highest danger is to the gill slits.
I hope that by understanding what we leave behind, most of the times without realizing it, will make us change the way we approach marine wild life.
#exploration #education #conservation
@neptunic_com

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