Science Pub: Sharks Basking in Online Attention

Two hundred years ago, Basking Sharks were highly abundant off the West Coast. Throughout the eighteenth century, increased fishing activity and targeted eradication devastated the regional population. The last formally published sighting of this understudied population of animals occurred in 2018. In a novel attempt to address this data deficiency, aquarist Olivia Cleek, M.A., and other researchers collected social media posts featuring Basking Shark sightings from the past 15 years. Their results provide new insights into the present-day distribution and seasonal patterns of this species on the West Coast. Come learn about this research directly from Cleek during a free public talk at Dargan’s Irish Pub & Restaurant in downtown Santa Barbara, presented by Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History.

Olivia Cleek has been working in animal husbandry and aquarium biology for the past ten years at facilities such as the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, Waikiki Aquarium, and the California Science Center. She is currently an aquarist at Cabrillo Marine Aquarium in San Pedro. Her work focuses on the conservation and restoration of locally endangered species including White Abalone, Sunflower Stars, and Basking Sharks. She recently earned her master’s degree in environmental science from Oregon State University.

No tickets or reservations needed, but note that Science Pub is a popular program. Early birds get good seats, order food and drink at leisure, and enjoy a raffle to support science education and win Museum swag. Arriving close to 6:30 may land you in an overflow room or without a seat.

This event is part of the Museum’s ongoing Science Pub series of free science talks held on the second Monday of every month. For more information about Science Pub, contact Kelsey Perry at kperry@sbnature2.org.