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There's A Shark To Catch

The rolling deck doesn't seem to bother the scientist, standing there steady at the edge of the ship's stern deck.

Behind him, students who haven't found their sea legs stumble every which way, but he remains focused on the fishing line that plunges into the depths. His eyes scan back and forth, back and forth, then suddenly, pause.

"There's a shark on the line," Jack Morris calls, and the marine biologist's words and pointed finger set off a cheer and a scramble to action.

There's a shark to catch.

Researchers and students from the New College of Florida, Eckerd College and Mote Marine Laboratory spent a week aboard the Florida Institute of Oceanography's research vessel, the R/V Bellows, catching, tagging and releasing a variety of shark species along the coast of Florida. Funded by the FIO's state-funded ship time grant, the trip gave students a rare opportunity to participate in every aspect of research, including baiting lines, recording data and even hauling in sharks.

Morris, senior biologist at the Mote Marine Laboratory, said the trackers fitted on the sharks would help efforts to study their coastal population and movements. "The work we're doing here lends itself to our conservation efforts," Morris said. "Without knowing the population size of the species we're dealing with, it's really impossible to truly conserve the species in general."

Captain Dave Coy, 56, of the R/V Bellows looks across the vessel's bridge while overseeing the boat's journey through the Tampa Bay channel at sunrise during a research cruise on Monday, April 17, 2017. Students and scientists from New College of Florida, the University of North Florida and Mote Marine Laboratory, aboard the research vessel worked to catch and release a variety of shark species, outfitting them with trackers to study their coastal habits.

The underside of the Sunshine Skyway Bridge in Tampa Bay is seen from the bridge of the R/V Bellows as it makes its way out into the Gulf of Mexico.

An orange floater lies on the outside deck of the R/V Bellows. The brightly-colored floater was attached via rope to a baited hook, which was left in the ocean in the hopes of attracting a shark. After a shark was captured, it was brought on board, studied, and then released back into the water.

Mote Marine Lab senior biologist Jack Morris prepares to throw in a buoy that holds one end of the mile-long mainline, which carries 78 sets of baited hooks

Jayne Gardiner, assistant professor of biology at the New College of Florida, watches one of the bright orange floaters on the mile-long mainline trail away from the R/V Bellows.

Jayne Gardiner of the New College of Florida, left, and Jack Morris of the Mote Marine Lab, measure the length of a male Blacktip shark brought aboard. A hose spouting sea water, called a resuscitation hose, is placed in the shark's mouth to allow water to flow across its gills, enabling the animal to breathe while on the boat.

Samantha Ehnert, a 27-year-old student at the University of North Florida, uses a syringe to draw blood from a Blacktip shark. Ehnert said the blood would allow her to study the level of testosterone in the shark's body.

Researchers aboard the R/V Bellows work to bring a Blacktip shark. Sharks are often fierce fighters, many times biting through lines before they can be brought aboard.

Jayne Gardiner of the New College of Florida smiles after the research crew managed to bring a bullshark measuring 200 centimeters aboard. The shark was outfitted with an acoustic tracker, which enables researchers to track the animal's movements across the Gulf of Mexico.

Senior Mote Marine Lab biologist Jack Morris ties up a coil of rope after work aboard the R/V Bellows is done for the day.

Kristen Wilkinson, a University of Florida PhD candidate, looks up from filling in a data sheet as the R/V Bellows steams back to Tampa Bay at sunset.

Marlo Leikam, a 21-year-old junior at the New College of Florida, watches the sun set after work is done for the day.

His Toughest Case

Throughout his criminal defense career spanning two decades, attorney Richard Tendler had seen it all. Now, the 51-year-old from West Palm Beach is facing his toughest case yet: cancer. A photo essay detailing a visit to Moffit Cancer Center in Tampa, where one final hope remains in the form of experimental immunotherapy treatment.

Richard Tendler takes a moment in a hallway to call friends and update them about his status at Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa, Fla. Diagnosed with cancer as a rare manifestation of contracting HPV, Richard underwent an experimental immunotherapy program at Moffitt Cancer research center in Tampa, Fla.

While waiting for a nurse to draw some of his blood, Tendler plays with his fingers at Moffitt Cancer Center.

Tendler grimaces while a nurse draws blood.

Moments before getting a CT scan, Tendler glances back through the doorway to his aunt, who is accompanying him throughout the visit. Later, a meeting with his physician confirms the results of the CT scan are not good.

After meeting with his doctor and hearing tough news, Tendler has an emotional moment in an elevator and is comforted by his aunt, Vera Muller.

During a moment of levity, Tendler smiles for a portrait at Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa, Fla. After a prolonged battle with cancer, Tendler passed away in December.

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There's A Shark To Catch

His Toughest Case

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