Sharks and rays are vital to coral reef ecosystems, yet their populations are declining globally due to overfishing and habitat loss—a crisis Global FinPrint aims to address with data-driven conservation. At SXM Divers, we proudly support this groundbreaking initiative, launched in 2015 by Paul G. Allen and now led by Mote Marine Laboratory in its second phase. Global FinPrint uses Baited Remote Underwater Video systems (BRUVs) to survey shark and ray populations worldwide, providing critical insights into their abundance, diversity, and the effectiveness of marine protected areas (MPAs). Our collaboration helps build a global dataset to guide policies that protect these essential species in the Dutch Caribbean and beyond.

Our role in Global FinPrint centers on hands-on fieldwork in Sint Maarten, where we deploy BRUVs along our coasts alongside partners like Nature Foundation Sint Maarten. These underwater video stations, baited to attract sharks and rays, capture footage that our team helps collect and analyze. Recently, students we support have been dropping BRUVs to monitor local populations, contributing to a regional effort led by experts like Dr. Hadrien Bidenbach and Tadzio Bervoets. This work builds on over a decade of BRUV studies in the Dutch Caribbean, providing data to assess how MPAs and other conservation measures impact reef-associated sharks and rays.

Our partnership with Global FinPrint reflects our dedication to marine science and the future of Sint Maarten’s reefs. By supporting surveys that have already amassed over 21,000 hours of footage across 58 countries, we’re helping identify hotspots of shark and ray abundance and test strategies to bolster their recovery. From assisting with deployments to engaging divers in the process, SXM Divers ensures that every dive contributes to a larger mission. Join us to explore Sint Maarten’s underwater world and support a project that’s turning the tide for shark and ray conservation across the Caribbean.