There are no products in your basket.
When Life Gives You Lemons
Sharks are some of the ocean’s most fascinating and misunderstood creatures. At Sharks4Kids, we believe education is the key to changing perceptions and inspiring the next generation of shark advocates. As part of this, we create opportunities for students to join us in the field. Hands-on learning experiences can be life-changing and help connect students to sharks and the oceans in a meaningful way.
In 2022, we launched Project Lemon Aid, our community-driven research and education project in Turks and Caicos. The primary goal of this project is to establish a baseline population survey of juvenile lemon sharks at sites around Turks and Caicos. The first stage of this research involves tagging the baby to sub-adult lemon sharks in the inshore waters, focusing on crucial mangrove habitats. The PIT ( Passive Integrated Transponder) tag, similar to the one you may tag your dog or cat with, will stay with the animal for the rest of its life and, if sampled again, will reveal the growth and movement of these sharks. Also, genetics from a tiny fin clip on the shark’s dorsal fin will help us reveal family trees of the lemon sharks inhabiting the area and see how the Turks and Caicos populations are related to the Bahamas and Florida lemon shark stocks
We do a scientific workup for each shark we catch. We take three length measurements.
Pre-caudal length: Tip of the snout to the start of the caudal ( tail) fin
Fork length: Tip of the snout to the fork in the caudal fin ( split between top and bottom lobes of the tail fin)
Total length: Tip of the snout to the tip of the tail.
We also measure the girth, which is the area around the shark just behind its pectoral fins ( think of armpits).
We determine the sex by looking at the pelvic fins on the underside of the shark. Male sharks have a finger-like extension on each pelvic fin, known as a clasper. Females do not.
Lemon sharks give birth to live young and are connected to their mother with an umbilical cord. When they are born, they break free of the cord, which leaves a “belly button.” It’s a scar, and we can determine approximately when the shark was born by looking at how open or closed it is.
Next, we take a small clip from the shark’s first dorsal fin to collect a DNA sample. This process is similar to cutting your nails or hair. Finally, the PIT tag is inserted, and the shark is released.

Jillian and Kaylam ( Big Blue Collective) scanning a lemon shark for a PIT tag. Credit: Ele Love
This project’s other primary goal is to educate students in the classroom and the field. Each field season, local middle and high school students assist with our research by joining us in the field. Kids don’t just learn about sharks—they get to engage in actual data collection through collaborative fieldwork. Students learn about the biology and ecology of sharks, their behavior, and their vital role in ocean ecosystems, including the mangroves we work in. They also assist with all aspects of the data collection, including taking the DNA sample and tagging the sharks. For our 2024 season, we had one day where it was raining the whole time, so those students also got to learn about the challenges of fieldwork.
It’s incredible to see how excited and engaged the students are. It brings learning to life and creates a much deeper connection to the importance of sharks and the research. This connection spreads back to their families and throughout the communities. Being in the field with students is my favorite part of the project. Much of our team is women, so it also helps young girls see that marine biology is for them, too.

Jillian releasing a lemon shark after a workup. Credit: Arenthia Baker

Jillian, Candace and Arenthia ( women in science) ready to release a lemon shark after workup. Credit: Ele Love
By blending education with real-world science, Project Lemon Aid connects students to their environment. Students leave with knowledge and a sense of empowerment, knowing they’ve contributed to protecting sharks and their habitats.
Special thanks to our local partners and supporters: Big Blue Collective, Ministry of Education, DECR, ECG Youth Centre, Save Our Seas Foundation, and Rock the Ocean.

Students after a great day in the field
To learn more about the project: https://www.sharks4kids.com/lemon-shark-research

fourth element Ambassador and founder of Sharks4Kids/Project Lemon Aid
Jillian Morris Brake