Coastal Ocean Explorers: Sharks Program Reaches Milestone, Welcoming Over 1,000 Participants Onboard

West Palm Beach, Florida (September 29, 2026) ─ ANGARI Foundation’s flagship hands-on education program, Coastal Ocean Explorers: Sharks, in collaboration with Florida International University, surpassed 1,000 participants onboard R/V ANGARI.

Since the Coastal Ocean Explorers: Sharks (COE: Sharks) program began, 67 expeditions have brought onboard 1,019 participants to assist scientists to study 147 individual sharks from eight different species in Palm Beach County waters. ANGARI Foundation developed this innovative program to provide local students and teachers with opportunities to work at-sea directly with scientists, build respect for and awareness of our marine environment, expand STEM and social skills and experience firsthand what a career in marine science could look like.

Coastal Ocean Explorers Program Coordinator Madie Mendels noted the impact this program has made to date, “This milestone illustrates 1,000 individual experiences connecting students with scientists, inspiring curiosity and empowering the next generation of ocean stewards.”

In partnership with researchers from Florida International University, COE: Sharks expeditions take participants into the field onboard R/V ANGARI where they work side-by-side with scientists and vessel crew to fish for, tag and collect valuable data and video surveys in support of shark research and ocean conservation.

This significant achievement was reached with support from the Palm Beach International Boat Show Gives Back grant program, Great Charity Challenge, Society for Science STEM Action grant program, Kenneth S. Morton, IJL Real Estate Group, Flotilla Club, Marine Industries Association of Palm Beach County, Inc., Jacobs Wellington Foundation, Women’s Foundation of Florida, The Rota Foundation, West Palm 100, West Marine BlueFuture grant program and numerous ANGARI Foundation donors.

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About ANGARI Foundation
ANGARI Foundation is a 501(c)(3) private operating foundation established in 2016 and headquartered in West Palm Beach, Fla. The Foundation is dedicated to creating a global community that is interested, knowledgeable, and invested in marine and environmental sciences by directly supporting research initiatives that foster a greater trust and dialogue between scientists and the public. ANGARI Foundation uses innovative technology, film, and other media to raise awareness and strengthen science education. Many of the Foundation’s primary initiatives involve R/V ANGARI, a 65-foot vessel that serves as an exceptional research and education platform.

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