Maui, Hawai’i | 20.7984° N, 156.3319° W | September 16, 2022
Mana: spiritual energy of power and strength
Wahine: woman
The evening Hawaiian sun saturates the social deck of E/V Nautilus with golden light. Over 30 people crowd around the two long, wooden tables here — some of them are Ocean Exploration Trust (OET) staff, some are contractors (like me) who have sailed on Nautilus before, and some are National Geographic explorers.
Lively conversations die down as everyone gathered here turns towards Samantha Wishnak, the expedition leader, and Allison Fundis, the Chief Operating Officer at OET. Together, they extend a warm welcome, and explain how this expedition partnership with the National Geographic Society has been years in the making.
When I first learned that a bunch of Nat Geo folks would be coming on board, I was excited — but also nervous (intimidated, frankly.) It’s only the first day, but my nerves have already dissipated. Just before this team meeting, over dinner, I spoke with five or six different National Geographic explorers and they seem awesome — friendly, down-to-earth, and very stoked to be here.
I am also pleasantly surprised to see that almost all of them are women. Working with a majority female team doesn’t happen often in expedition environments, and that fact, combined with the strong leadership exhibited by Samantha and Allison, fills my heart with joy and pride.
This expedition is going to be a good one.
The fabulous Jennie Berglund, an award-winning photographer, videographer, and National Geographic Explorer, smiles on the aft deck. I had the pleasure of sailing with Jennie aboard the R/V Falkor in 2018, and I’m thrilled to sail with her again now on Nautilus.
Two days later, the Nautilus holds station a few miles off the coast of Maui. It’s just after 8am, and I’m standing on the social deck, watching a 40-foot dive boat approach the starboard side of the ship. The boat includes three women who skillfully handle lines and communicate with our crew as they come alongside Nautilus.
“It’s a Mana Wahine crew!” says Daniel Kinzer, one of our science team members from Honolulu.
I carefully step onto the Extended Horizons boat, gripping my dry bag full of camera gear in one hand and using the other to grab one of the mate’s hands. Five other members of our team file in behind me.
I have been working with ocean scientists for the better part of a decade, but as soon as I board the Extended Horizons boat, I notice something that I’ve only experienced once before.
Our field work team for today is not just mostly women — it’s entirely women.
Our captain, Victoria, introduces herself and begins running through safety protocols and operations for the boat. While she talks, the two mates, Hollis and Shelby, haul in the lines and organize equipment. This is a nice dive boat, but we’re not actually scuba diving today — our goal is to deploy specialized equipment, baited remote underwater video systems (BRUVS), for a shark research project headed up by Ariana Agustines, a Filipina researcher and marine conservationist on our team.
Ariana prepares line for a deep BRUVS deployment.
While Ariana has been working with sharks in the Philippines for years, this is her first time leading a research project in a different country. When I ask her how it’s going, the first word of out her mouth is “challenging” but she quickly adds, “also productive.”
Even though I’ve been documenting ocean science for years, I can’t fathom organizing all the logistics of a field work project like this one.
“The planning is a day-by-day thing,” Ariana says. “I’m usually a bit rigid — I like to stick to the plan. But out here, I’ve had to adapt and learn to be more flexible.”
She tells me about how the people on our team, especially the women on this boat right now, make a big difference.
“I know that people will jump in and help whether it’s their official role or not — I can rely on them,” she says. “That helps to put my mind at ease. I don’t have to be in control of every single thing.”
Shelby Miskell jumps into the water to help retrieve one of the BRUVS.
Kelly Koller, Shelby Miskell, and Shannon Bartlett work together to collect eDNA samples.
Throughout the day, I witness (and document) what Ariana is talking about. Erin skillfully wrangles the bait (smelly, slimy fish guts) while Kelly runs eDNA samples, assisted by Shelby and Shannon. I take photos while Ariana ties knots like a professional sailor, attaching the BRUVS to lines and buoys. Victoria skillfully manages the boat, ensuring all of us remain safe, even in choppy seas. Meanwhile, Jamie documents everything for the Nautilus Live social media feeds.
During Nautilus expeditions, Jamie spends most of her time in the studio, hosting outreach calls and live events (she is a rockstar on camera.) Today is one of the first times she has joined a field work team at sea — and the fact that we’re studying sharks makes it all the more special.
Jamie tells me a story from graduate school, when she was completing her thesis on shark conservation at SUNY Albany. While at a physical therapy appointment one day, she was telling a woman about her research. The woman’s response floored Jamie. “That’s funny,” she said. “Girls don’t study sharks.”
“I just wish that woman could see this boat right now,” Jamie says, looking around at our team. As we watch Erin shove fish guts into netting, we talk about sexism and the futility of gendering anything, especially wildlife.
Jamie and I take a quick selfie during our transit to the next BRUV location.
“It’s like society has convinced us certain animals appeal to different genders,” Jamie says. “If a creature isn’t cute and cuddly, people are surprised that you, as a woman, would be drawn to it.”
Jamie tends to smile when she’s being sarcastic, and right now she has a big grin on her face.
“I mean, how could women possibly relate to something with such raw power?”
After our long day of field work is complete, Jamie, Ariana, Erin and I sit together, reflecting on the sense of camaraderie we felt on the Extended Horizons boat. When I ask Ariana to describe the vibe of our team, she uses the word powerhouse.
“Everybody was asking what they could do to help. There was a fluidity and a rhythm to all of it,” she says. “And it wasn’t because we’ve all been doing this work together for a long time, it was just sort of an intuition.”
That intuition may present itself in various scenarios, with different kinds of teams, not just our particular group of women. But for all of us aboard the Extended Horizons boat, it felt special.
“It’s nice when you can let your guard down a bit,” Jamie says. “You can tell stories, and feel seen and heard in your experiences. When you’re working with a group of women, it’s easier to get to that point — especially when you have this shared passion.”
While we share a passion for preserving marine life and promoting ocean conservation, I think another bond exists between all of us that might be even more important — the desire to do meaningful work, no matter how challenging. The willingness to learn new skills and tackle difficult tasks — regardless of sex, gender, or societal pressure.
“Handling sharks is not a thing you can just pick up anywhere,” Erin says. “The first time you do it, you’re not ready. But you cannot learn without doing it.”
Ariana nods in agreement. “It’s not about strength or gender — it’s about your ability as a person to carry out the task at hand,” she says. “Are you capable and knowledgeable?”
As I jot down these quotes, all I can think is yes.