Brett Sweezey
@saltwatersweezey.bsky.social
PhD Candidate Marine Biology | Shark Ecology 🦈 | Trophic Ecology 🐟| Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary 🪸 | Fisheries Science 🎣
Outreach & Educational Content
Sharing my journey into shark science!
https://www.instagram.com/saltwatersweezey/
Outreach & Educational Content
Sharing my journey into shark science!
https://www.instagram.com/saltwatersweezey/
Pinned
The “who am I?” post!
I’m a PhD student studying the movement patterns and feeding behaviors of sharks in the Gulf of Mexico 🦈
I’m trying to find connections with people who have a passion for:
🌊 The Ocean
🦀 Marine Life
🧬 Science
🦠 Biology/Ecology
🌲 The Environment/Climate
#MarineLife
I’m a PhD student studying the movement patterns and feeding behaviors of sharks in the Gulf of Mexico 🦈
I’m trying to find connections with people who have a passion for:
🌊 The Ocean
🦀 Marine Life
🧬 Science
🦠 Biology/Ecology
🌲 The Environment/Climate
#MarineLife
This summer I leaned how to pilot an ROV! It was as simple as playing a video game with Xbox controller (in addition to a couple nuances).
October 17, 2025 at 2:02 PM
This summer I leaned how to pilot an ROV! It was as simple as playing a video game with Xbox controller (in addition to a couple nuances).
Shark Movements, Food Webs and Flower Gardens with Brett Sweezey
open.spotify.com
October 9, 2025 at 5:06 PM
I haven’t posted much on here lately because the typically format doesn’t really seem to be receptive of the type of posts I usually make for Instagram. Does anyone else feel that way?
September 27, 2025 at 6:02 AM
I haven’t posted much on here lately because the typically format doesn’t really seem to be receptive of the type of posts I usually make for Instagram. Does anyone else feel that way?
My crash course on species ID for sharks in the Gulf of Mexico! Of course there was a lot more nuance in identifying this species, but that all wouldn’t fit within this video!
Did you guess correctly? Hope you enjoy!
Did you guess correctly? Hope you enjoy!
April 4, 2025 at 4:25 PM
My crash course on species ID for sharks in the Gulf of Mexico! Of course there was a lot more nuance in identifying this species, but that all wouldn’t fit within this video!
Did you guess correctly? Hope you enjoy!
Did you guess correctly? Hope you enjoy!
I’m excited to share the finished product of a short film I have been working on! This video summarizes the benefits of dried blood spot analysis to estimate the trophic level of multiple shark species at the Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary!
Go check out the video on my Instagram!
Go check out the video on my Instagram!
February 5, 2025 at 3:16 PM
I’m excited to share the finished product of a short film I have been working on! This video summarizes the benefits of dried blood spot analysis to estimate the trophic level of multiple shark species at the Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary!
Go check out the video on my Instagram!
Go check out the video on my Instagram!
So a couple of shark species swim into a marine sanctuary….but I haven’t thought of the punchline yet. I’m still working on figuring out why, where, or when.
This is the entire purpose of my PhD research project 🦈
This is the entire purpose of my PhD research project 🦈
January 26, 2025 at 2:32 AM
So a couple of shark species swim into a marine sanctuary….but I haven’t thought of the punchline yet. I’m still working on figuring out why, where, or when.
This is the entire purpose of my PhD research project 🦈
This is the entire purpose of my PhD research project 🦈
Sitting down for the first time to discuss my background and current research on #TheFisheriesPodcast!!
I have never been on a podcast before so I was a little nervous and probably talked too much 😆
open.spotify.com/episode/6b5Y...
I have never been on a podcast before so I was a little nervous and probably talked too much 😆
open.spotify.com/episode/6b5Y...
293 - The sharks of Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary with Brett Sweezey
The Fisheries Podcast · Episode
open.spotify.com
January 24, 2025 at 7:40 PM
Sitting down for the first time to discuss my background and current research on #TheFisheriesPodcast!!
I have never been on a podcast before so I was a little nervous and probably talked too much 😆
open.spotify.com/episode/6b5Y...
I have never been on a podcast before so I was a little nervous and probably talked too much 😆
open.spotify.com/episode/6b5Y...
Some INCREDIBLE photos taken by Mountain and Wave Films documenting a trip to the Flower Garden Banks in an attempt to capture some sharks for a trophic ecology study. This project would not have been possible without the funding provided by the @saveourseasfoundation
January 17, 2025 at 12:48 PM
Some INCREDIBLE photos taken by Mountain and Wave Films documenting a trip to the Flower Garden Banks in an attempt to capture some sharks for a trophic ecology study. This project would not have been possible without the funding provided by the @saveourseasfoundation
Reposted by Brett Sweezey
ohhh lookie here it’s our paper!! 🧪🌎🌐🐠👩🏻🔬🐡🎨
sturgeon are more thermally plastic than other fish (they can increase their thermal tolerance per acclimation degree) !! but warm temperatures seem to have negative impacts on growth and survival in early life stages.
We need WAY more data on older fish
sturgeon are more thermally plastic than other fish (they can increase their thermal tolerance per acclimation degree) !! but warm temperatures seem to have negative impacts on growth and survival in early life stages.
We need WAY more data on older fish
NEW RESEARCH
Too Hot to Handle: A Meta-Analytical Review of the Thermal Tolerance and Adaptive Capacity of North American #Sturgeon
📄 https://buff.ly/49ymsbN
#climatechange #endagered species #conservation
Too Hot to Handle: A Meta-Analytical Review of the Thermal Tolerance and Adaptive Capacity of North American #Sturgeon
📄 https://buff.ly/49ymsbN
#climatechange #endagered species #conservation
December 17, 2024 at 3:28 PM
ohhh lookie here it’s our paper!! 🧪🌎🌐🐠👩🏻🔬🐡🎨
sturgeon are more thermally plastic than other fish (they can increase their thermal tolerance per acclimation degree) !! but warm temperatures seem to have negative impacts on growth and survival in early life stages.
We need WAY more data on older fish
sturgeon are more thermally plastic than other fish (they can increase their thermal tolerance per acclimation degree) !! but warm temperatures seem to have negative impacts on growth and survival in early life stages.
We need WAY more data on older fish
Let’s be honest. Science blogs, while fun and informative, generally don’t appeal to a non-scientific audience (even if they’re the target demographic).
What if we use pretty pictures and I just tell you everything you would like to know about my topic of research?
What if we use pretty pictures and I just tell you everything you would like to know about my topic of research?
Can visual storytelling transform how we connect audiences to science? Through video, Brett Sweezey is showcasing dried blood spot analysis, a novel, non-invasive method to study sharks. By blending science with visuals he aims to inspire understanding. More below.
saveourseas.com/update/beyon...
saveourseas.com/update/beyon...
December 17, 2024 at 3:30 PM
Let’s be honest. Science blogs, while fun and informative, generally don’t appeal to a non-scientific audience (even if they’re the target demographic).
What if we use pretty pictures and I just tell you everything you would like to know about my topic of research?
What if we use pretty pictures and I just tell you everything you would like to know about my topic of research?
Reposted by Brett Sweezey
#GARWEEK IS HERE!!!
We’re excited to celebrate this “most-loathed,” misunderstood, and amazing group of living fossil fishes with you all!
Enjoy this Intro to Gars @ologies.bsky.social from #Garology!
Feel free to share YOUR #GarPuns, photos, #GARtwork and any other GARish posts!
We’re excited to celebrate this “most-loathed,” misunderstood, and amazing group of living fossil fishes with you all!
Enjoy this Intro to Gars @ologies.bsky.social from #Garology!
Feel free to share YOUR #GarPuns, photos, #GARtwork and any other GARish posts!
December 16, 2024 at 4:12 PM
#GARWEEK IS HERE!!!
We’re excited to celebrate this “most-loathed,” misunderstood, and amazing group of living fossil fishes with you all!
Enjoy this Intro to Gars @ologies.bsky.social from #Garology!
Feel free to share YOUR #GarPuns, photos, #GARtwork and any other GARish posts!
We’re excited to celebrate this “most-loathed,” misunderstood, and amazing group of living fossil fishes with you all!
Enjoy this Intro to Gars @ologies.bsky.social from #Garology!
Feel free to share YOUR #GarPuns, photos, #GARtwork and any other GARish posts!
Who has heard about the Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary? It’s one of only 15 national marine sanctuaries in US waters and the only one in the Gulf of Mexico!!
This species rich hotspot is home to many tropical and marine fishes which attracts large predators such as tunas and sharks
This species rich hotspot is home to many tropical and marine fishes which attracts large predators such as tunas and sharks
December 15, 2024 at 9:48 PM
Who has heard about the Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary? It’s one of only 15 national marine sanctuaries in US waters and the only one in the Gulf of Mexico!!
This species rich hotspot is home to many tropical and marine fishes which attracts large predators such as tunas and sharks
This species rich hotspot is home to many tropical and marine fishes which attracts large predators such as tunas and sharks
Reposted by Brett Sweezey
This is the face of a shark! I've stained the mineralised tissues to show that their teeth and scales are both made of the same enamel-like material 🦈 🦷 🧪
December 11, 2024 at 10:01 AM
This is the face of a shark! I've stained the mineralised tissues to show that their teeth and scales are both made of the same enamel-like material 🦈 🦷 🧪
I just put together a small reel that summarized my personal CPUE (catch per unit effort) for shark tagging this year. I have over 500 hours of boat time and only caught 35 individuals from my target species!!
You would think trying to catch sharks on a coral reef would be easy 🤣
You would think trying to catch sharks on a coral reef would be easy 🤣
December 7, 2024 at 3:01 PM
I just put together a small reel that summarized my personal CPUE (catch per unit effort) for shark tagging this year. I have over 500 hours of boat time and only caught 35 individuals from my target species!!
You would think trying to catch sharks on a coral reef would be easy 🤣
You would think trying to catch sharks on a coral reef would be easy 🤣
It’s always great to see evidence of effective management strategies that are slowly rebuilding elasmobranch populations in the states 🦈
Bright spots with some science-based fisheries management measure benefiting sharks & rays:
1. USA & Canada
2. NE Atlantic
3. S. Africa
4. Australia & New Zealand
#OceanOptimism
@nancyknowlton.bsky.social
@joshuacinner.bsky.social
www.science.org/doi/epdf/10....
🧵15/20
1. USA & Canada
2. NE Atlantic
3. S. Africa
4. Australia & New Zealand
#OceanOptimism
@nancyknowlton.bsky.social
@joshuacinner.bsky.social
www.science.org/doi/epdf/10....
🧵15/20
December 7, 2024 at 2:56 PM
It’s always great to see evidence of effective management strategies that are slowly rebuilding elasmobranch populations in the states 🦈
Reposted by Brett Sweezey
New #GlobalSharkTrends study published in @science.org reveals #overfishing has more than halved shark & ray populations over the past 50-years causing widespread erosion of ecological function and exceptionally high extinction risk
👉Full article bit.ly/GlobalSharkTrends
🧵1/20
👉Full article bit.ly/GlobalSharkTrends
🧵1/20
December 5, 2024 at 10:05 PM
New #GlobalSharkTrends study published in @science.org reveals #overfishing has more than halved shark & ray populations over the past 50-years causing widespread erosion of ecological function and exceptionally high extinction risk
👉Full article bit.ly/GlobalSharkTrends
🧵1/20
👉Full article bit.ly/GlobalSharkTrends
🧵1/20
Is that freshly lab prepared paprika and onion powder?
Sometimes when sitting in a the lab crushing muscle tissue and blood samples for a long time the intrusive thoughts start to seep in 😂
Sometimes when sitting in a the lab crushing muscle tissue and blood samples for a long time the intrusive thoughts start to seep in 😂
December 6, 2024 at 2:43 PM
Is that freshly lab prepared paprika and onion powder?
Sometimes when sitting in a the lab crushing muscle tissue and blood samples for a long time the intrusive thoughts start to seep in 😂
Sometimes when sitting in a the lab crushing muscle tissue and blood samples for a long time the intrusive thoughts start to seep in 😂
Reposting this because I had significantly more engagement on Threads and already connected with some enthusiastic people!
I’m looking for opportunities to work with others to build my science communication skills!
I’m looking for opportunities to work with others to build my science communication skills!
Hello science communicators! I'm trying to find anyone who would be willing to sit down and talk with me about my research. It can be for any type of science communication or electronic media (reel, podcast, article)
As I slowly dive into education and outreach I am trying to find ways (1/3)
As I slowly dive into education and outreach I am trying to find ways (1/3)
December 5, 2024 at 3:44 PM
Reposting this because I had significantly more engagement on Threads and already connected with some enthusiastic people!
I’m looking for opportunities to work with others to build my science communication skills!
I’m looking for opportunities to work with others to build my science communication skills!
Only seven of these spade-toothed whales have ever been spotted!!
This whale species is so rare it's never been seen alive. A dissection may decode its mysteries
#marineecology
apnews.com/article/rare...
#marineecology
apnews.com/article/rare...
This whale species is so rare it's never been seen alive. A dissection may decode its mysteries
Scientists and culture experts in New Zealand have begun the first-ever dissection of a spade-toothed whale, the world's rarest whale species.
apnews.com
December 4, 2024 at 7:07 PM
Only seven of these spade-toothed whales have ever been spotted!!
Hello science communicators! I'm trying to find anyone who would be willing to sit down and talk with me about my research. It can be for any type of science communication or electronic media (reel, podcast, article)
As I slowly dive into education and outreach I am trying to find ways (1/3)
As I slowly dive into education and outreach I am trying to find ways (1/3)
December 2, 2024 at 11:59 PM
Hello science communicators! I'm trying to find anyone who would be willing to sit down and talk with me about my research. It can be for any type of science communication or electronic media (reel, podcast, article)
As I slowly dive into education and outreach I am trying to find ways (1/3)
As I slowly dive into education and outreach I am trying to find ways (1/3)
Quick Update: The scalloped hammerhead we tagged over a month ago is very much still hanging around north of the Flower Gardens!!
This individual has been already given us a decent number of detections and hopefully continues to do so for the next year!
This individual has been already given us a decent number of detections and hopefully continues to do so for the next year!
December 1, 2024 at 6:10 PM
Quick Update: The scalloped hammerhead we tagged over a month ago is very much still hanging around north of the Flower Gardens!!
This individual has been already given us a decent number of detections and hopefully continues to do so for the next year!
This individual has been already given us a decent number of detections and hopefully continues to do so for the next year!
Orcas always fascinate me. Now we have documented a group hunting a whale shark (wild!)
Frontiers | Killer whales (Orcinus orca) hunt, kill and consume the largest fish on Earth, the whale shark (Rhincodon typus) https://buff.ly/4gaWL3q
Frontiers | Killer whales (Orcinus orca) hunt, kill and consume the largest fish on Earth, the whale shark (Rhincodon typus)
Killer whales (Orcinus orca) are the apex predator in global oceans, and as such they are afforded access to prey species at all trophic levels and sizes. Du...
buff.ly
November 29, 2024 at 11:21 PM
Orcas always fascinate me. Now we have documented a group hunting a whale shark (wild!)
One of my least favorite things about ID’ing large adult blacktips is that the majority of the “black tips” disappear making them look the part of a stereotypical “grey shark”.
Spinner sharks at the same size usually have more distinct black fin tips, but I bet the name was already taken 😆
Spinner sharks at the same size usually have more distinct black fin tips, but I bet the name was already taken 😆
For Black Friday, learn about blacktip sharks! They’re called that because they have fins with black tips.
How do you distinguish a blacktip shark from a spinner shark? Spinner sharks have *more* fins with black tips on them than blacktip sharks do.
How do you distinguish a blacktip shark from a spinner shark? Spinner sharks have *more* fins with black tips on them than blacktip sharks do.
November 29, 2024 at 3:34 PM
One of my least favorite things about ID’ing large adult blacktips is that the majority of the “black tips” disappear making them look the part of a stereotypical “grey shark”.
Spinner sharks at the same size usually have more distinct black fin tips, but I bet the name was already taken 😆
Spinner sharks at the same size usually have more distinct black fin tips, but I bet the name was already taken 😆
Sometimes I try to ID the grey blobs from depth as we're bringing a shark to the boat. Most of the sharks from the Carcharhinid family that have similar physical appearances which makes this fun 🦈
Small: silky, finetooth, blacknose
Larger: sandbar, blacktip, spinner
REALLY big : dusky!
Small: silky, finetooth, blacknose
Larger: sandbar, blacktip, spinner
REALLY big : dusky!
November 28, 2024 at 4:32 PM
Sometimes I try to ID the grey blobs from depth as we're bringing a shark to the boat. Most of the sharks from the Carcharhinid family that have similar physical appearances which makes this fun 🦈
Small: silky, finetooth, blacknose
Larger: sandbar, blacktip, spinner
REALLY big : dusky!
Small: silky, finetooth, blacknose
Larger: sandbar, blacktip, spinner
REALLY big : dusky!
Just wrapped up the field and lab work for one of dissertation chapters! This trophic study holds a special place in my heart as the first study I have designed, acquired funding, and performed the field and lab work 🦈 🦑
Hopefully for some awesome results!!
Hopefully for some awesome results!!
November 28, 2024 at 3:49 PM
Just wrapped up the field and lab work for one of dissertation chapters! This trophic study holds a special place in my heart as the first study I have designed, acquired funding, and performed the field and lab work 🦈 🦑
Hopefully for some awesome results!!
Hopefully for some awesome results!!