Eugenie Clark

Aliases: “Shark Lady”, “Genie”
Role: Marine biologist, ichthyologist, diver, conservationist, author
Born: May 4, 1922, New York City
Died: February 25, 2015, Sarasota, Florida (age 92)
Affiliation: Mote Marine Laboratory (founding director), University of Maryland (Professor Emerita, Department of Biology)

Biography

Dr. Eugenie Clark (1922–2015) was one of the most celebrated marine biologists of the 20th century, known universally as “The Shark Lady” for her groundbreaking research on sharks and fishes, her extraordinary diving career spanning nearly seven decades, and her tireless environmental advocacy. A prolific scientist driven by unyielding curiosity, she conducted more than 200 expeditions across the globe, authored over 165 scientific and popular articles, and published three books. ([1])

Clark grew up in New York City, inspired by childhood visits to the Battery Park Aquarium in Manhattan. She pursued zoology and went on to work across diverse marine research institutes worldwide. She was one of the first women of prominence in the then male-dominated field of marine biology, blazing a trail for women marine biologists and exciting new generations of scientists and explorers. ([2]) ([3])

Early Career and Mote Marine Laboratory

In 1955, Clark became the founding director of the Cape Haze Marine Laboratory in Sarasota, Florida, a position she held until 1967. The laboratory later grew into the Mote Marine Laboratory, a leading center for shark research, with which she remained affiliated for over 50 years. ([4]) ([5])

She also served as Professor of Ichthyology at the University of Maryland for many years, eventually retiring as Senior Research Scientist and Professor Emerita in the Department of Biology. Among her most eminent students was Akihito, the current Emperor of Japan. ([6]) ([7])

Diving Career

Clark began diving with a hard hat in 1946 and had her first encounter with a shark in Palau in 1947. She conducted behavioral research with lemon sharks (Negaprion brevirostris) at the Mote Laboratory in the 1950s, demonstrating that lemon sharks could be trained to perform complex tasks. She disproved the notion that some shark species must keep swimming to survive and debunked myths about sharks as vicious, fearsome creatures. She also made significant contributions to the study of hermaphroditism in fishes and discovered several fish species, including one that naturally repels sharks. ([8]) ([9])

A pioneer in the era when scuba emerged as a research tool, Clark later embraced new advances in diving technology, taking more than 70 trips in high-tech submersibles, sometimes descending as deep as 12,000 feet beneath the ocean surface — a feat accomplished by only a small number of marine biologists. ([10])

Cousteau Expedition

In 1968, Clark joined Jacques Cousteau aboard the Calypso for his epic global expedition, taking in and filming as many ocean environments as possible. During the voyage, she carried out behavioral research into sharks. ([11])

National Geographic and Red Sea Work

Clark’s work with National Geographic spanned decades. Howard Rosenstein first met Clark at a Boston Sea Rovers conference in 1973, where she was being honored for her life’s work in studying, exploring, teaching, and protecting marine life. This chance meeting led to Clark’s visit to Rosenstein’s Red Sea Divers base at Sharm el Sheikh in 1974, then “a mere desolate outpost at the tip of the Sinai.” She was accompanied by her underwater photographic team of David and Anne Doubilet. They dived intensely for over a month, and the results were published as a cover story in the September 1975 edition of National Geographic. ([12])

The success of that story led to many more articles and years of cooperation. Subsequent National Geographic articles covered subjects including flashlight fish, the “underwater desert,” sharks, and bioluminescence. Documentary films, television reports, and many other magazine articles and books followed. ([13])

Conservation and Diplomacy in the Sinai

After the peace treaty between Israel and Egypt, Clark demonstrated remarkable leadership and determination to ensure the Red Sea reefs and fishes would continue to be protected under the returning Egyptian administration. She organized a meeting with President Anwar Sadat and almost single-handedly convinced him to designate the Sinai reefs as a nature reserve and keep them open to diving tourism. She then personally led the first group of Egyptian scientists to visit the Sinai area after the signing of the Camp David Accords. ([14])

Disputed: The Rosenstein eulogy source dates these events to 1982, but the Egypt-Israel Peace Treaty was signed in March 1979 (Camp David Accords in September 1978). The source also mentions Clark organizing a meeting with President Anwar Sadat, but Sadat was assassinated on October 6, 1981 — making a 1982 meeting impossible. The underlying events likely occurred circa 1979–1981.

Later Field Research

Clark continued leading diving trips and research projects well into her nineties, including work at Komodo studying garden eels, sand divers, and other fish. Douglas Seifert and Bob Halstead joined her on at least one such expedition at Komodo. ([15])

She also conducted research in Papua New Guinea, where she decided against using antimalarial drugs on New Ireland — a decision that, according to fellow diver allisonfinch, nearly killed her. ([16])

Clark maintained an active field research team for many years. Jann, a Wetpixel forum member, served as an active field team member for Clark from 1998 to 2014. ([17])

Her last scientific paper — on ocean triggerfish — was published the same month she died in February 2015. She celebrated her 92nd birthday diving in Eilat, in the Red Sea. ([18])

Bonaire Connection

Clark’s history with Bonaire began in 1983, when she started visiting over several years as a staff lecturer for short courses for medical doctors on “Human Underwater Biology.” She became a member of Bonaire’s Queen Angel Club in 1983. ([19])

Public Engagement

Beyond her scientific work, Clark gave over 100 formal lectures at meetings, conventions, and universities across Australia, Canada, Cayman Islands, China, Egypt, England, France, Indonesia, India, Israel, Japan, Jordan, Mexico, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Russia, Taiwan, and the United States. She also delivered over 30 lectures at community centers and schools, and made over 50 television appearances and 60 radio programs at local, national, and international levels. ([20])

She had an army of admirers and “student/tourists” who would follow her across the oceans to dive with her and assist in her field work. Rosenstein’s diving base at Sharm el Sheikh and later aboard the “Fantasea” liveaboards he operated served as the home of many of these expeditions. ([21])

Death

Clark died on February 25, 2015, at her home in Sarasota, Florida, aged 92. The Wetpixel community published tributes including an editorial by Adam Hanlon and a personal eulogy by Howard Rosenstein. Brandon Cole commented: “Amazing person. May she rest in peace.” ([22]) ([23])

Legacy

Clark’s life work transformed scientific and public understanding of sharks from mindless predators to intelligent, complex animals. Her research on shark behavior and her prolific writing and lecturing made her one of the most effective ocean advocates of her era.

Howard Rosenstein, who knew her for over 40 years, wrote: “Genie as we all lovingly called her was one of the most remarkable and impressive people in our lives and in the lives of so many of my colleagues who live, work and love the Sea.” ([24])

In her own words: “Those of us who love the sea wish everyone would be aware of the need to protect the sea” and “I don’t get philosophical. Love fish. Love sharks. Keep the water and their habitats as clean and protected as possible.” ([25])

Douglas Seifert listed her alongside Marjorie Bank, Norine Rouse, and Valerie Taylor as one of the most valuable mentors a diver could know. ([26])

Posthumous Honors

In 2018, a new species of dogfish shark discovered in deep water in the Gulf of Mexico and western Atlantic Ocean was named Squalus clarkae — “Genie’s dogfish” — in her honor. The species was identified using genetic testing and described in the journal Zootaxa. Shark biologist Toby Daly-Engel noted: “Genie established Mote and she lived on the Gulf of Mexico coast. She did a lot to advance our understanding of marine biodiversity there. So naming the dogfish shark from the Gulf of Mexico after her is the most appropriate thing in the world.” ([27])

In 2022, the United States Postal Service issued a “Forever Stamp” celebrating her life. The stamp featured an image by David Doubilet, and the first day of issue event was held at the Mote Marine Laboratory, Florida, on May 4, 2022. She was also honored posthumously by Congress in 2015. ([28])

Awards and Publications

Clark was the recipient of three fellowships, four scholarships, six medals (including the gold medal of the Society of Woman Geographers and the University of Maryland President’s Medal), and 34 other awards for work in marine biology, conservation, exploration, and writing. Notable honors include the National Geographic Franklin L. Burr Award and the DEMA Hall of Fame Award (both 1993). She received three Honorary Doctor of Science degrees from the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth (1992), the University of Guelph, Ontario (1995), and Long Island University (1995). ([29]) ([30])

In 2010, she received the Bonaire Lifetime Achievement Award, becoming the second North American recipient after Dr. Sylvia Earle in 2009. During the award week (August 22–28, 2010), she made several dives with visitors and residents of Bonaire, gave presentations for adults and schoolchildren, and held a book signing for the newest edition of her book Lady With the Sharks. She was honored at the home of Lt. Governor Glenn Thode. ([31])

She authored three books: Lady with a Spear, The Lady and the Sharks, and The Desert Beneath the Sea. ([32])

Connections to the Wetpixel Community

Clark personally met Eric Cheng at the Beneath the Sea 2010 show, where she signed his copy of The Lady and the Sharks. She was photographed with Cheng, Abi Smigel, and Eli Woolery at the event. ([33])

Her family includes four children: Aya, Hera, Tak, and Nikki. Howard Rosenstein’s family — his wife Sharon and their four children — also maintained a close personal relationship with Clark over many decades. ([34])

Timeline

References

Sources

  1. Wetpixel article, Jul 4, 2010: Dr Eugenie Clark To Be Honored In Bonaire ↩
  2. Wetpixel article, Feb 25, 2015: Rip Dr. Eugenia Clark ↩
  3. Wetpixel article, Jul 17, 2018: New Shark Species Named In Honor Of Eugenie Clark ↩
  4. Wetpixel article, Mar 10, 2015: Dr. Eugenie Clark By Howard Rosenstein ↩
  5. Wetpixel article, Jul 4, 2010: Dr Eugenie Clark To Be Honored In Bonaire ↩
  6. Wetpixel article, Mar 10, 2015: Dr. Eugenie Clark By Howard Rosenstein ↩
  7. Wetpixel article, Jul 4, 2010: Dr Eugenie Clark To Be Honored In Bonaire ↩
  8. Wetpixel article, Feb 25, 2015: Rip Dr. Eugenia Clark ↩
  9. Wetpixel article, Mar 30, 2022: Usps Issues Stamp Celebrating Eugenia Clark ↩
  10. Wetpixel article, Mar 30, 2022: Usps Issues Stamp Celebrating Eugenia Clark ↩
  11. Wetpixel article, Feb 25, 2015: Rip Dr. Eugenia Clark ↩
  12. Wetpixel article, Mar 10, 2015: Dr. Eugenie Clark By Howard Rosenstein ↩
  13. Wetpixel article, Mar 10, 2015: Dr. Eugenie Clark By Howard Rosenstein ↩
  14. Wetpixel article, Mar 10, 2015: Dr. Eugenie Clark By Howard Rosenstein ↩
  15. Wetpixel article, Dec 19, 2018: Rip Bob Halstead ↩
  16. Forum thread: Raja Ampat Anti Malarials ↩
  17. Forum thread: Member Introductions ↩
  18. Wetpixel article, Mar 10, 2015: Dr. Eugenie Clark By Howard Rosenstein ↩
  19. Wetpixel article, Jul 4, 2010: Dr Eugenie Clark To Be Honored In Bonaire ↩
  20. Wetpixel article, Jul 4, 2010: Dr Eugenie Clark To Be Honored In Bonaire ↩
  21. Wetpixel article, Mar 10, 2015: Dr. Eugenie Clark By Howard Rosenstein ↩
  22. Wetpixel article, Feb 25, 2015: Rip Dr. Eugenia Clark ↩
  23. Wetpixel article, Mar 10, 2015: Dr. Eugenie Clark By Howard Rosenstein ↩
  24. Wetpixel article, Mar 10, 2015: Dr. Eugenie Clark By Howard Rosenstein ↩
  25. Wetpixel article, Feb 25, 2015: Rip Dr. Eugenia Clark ↩
  26. Wetpixel article, Dec 27, 2014: Rip Valerie De La Valdene ↩
  27. Wetpixel article, Jul 17, 2018: New Shark Species Named In Honor Of Eugenie Clark ↩
  28. Wetpixel article, Mar 30, 2022: Usps Issues Stamp Celebrating Eugenia Clark ↩
  29. Wetpixel article, Jul 4, 2010: Dr Eugenie Clark To Be Honored In Bonaire ↩
  30. Wetpixel article, Mar 30, 2022: Usps Issues Stamp Celebrating Eugenia Clark ↩
  31. Wetpixel article, Jul 4, 2010: Dr Eugenie Clark To Be Honored In Bonaire ↩
  32. Wetpixel article, Jul 4, 2010: Dr Eugenie Clark To Be Honored In Bonaire ↩
  33. Wetpixel article, Mar 29, 2010: Beneath The Sea 2010 Day 3 Coverage ↩
  34. Wetpixel article, Mar 10, 2015: Dr. Eugenie Clark By Howard Rosenstein ↩
  35. Wetpixel article, Feb 25, 2015: Rip Dr. Eugenia Clark ↩
  36. Wetpixel article, Feb 25, 2015: Rip Dr. Eugenia Clark ↩
  37. Wetpixel article, Jul 4, 2010: Dr Eugenie Clark To Be Honored In Bonaire ↩
  38. Wetpixel article, Jul 4, 2010: Dr Eugenie Clark To Be Honored In Bonaire ↩
  39. Wetpixel article, Feb 25, 2015: Rip Dr. Eugenia Clark ↩
  40. Wetpixel article, Mar 10, 2015: Dr. Eugenie Clark By Howard Rosenstein ↩
  41. Wetpixel article, Mar 10, 2015: Dr. Eugenie Clark By Howard Rosenstein ↩
  42. Wetpixel article, Mar 10, 2015: Dr. Eugenie Clark By Howard Rosenstein ↩
  43. Wetpixel article, Jul 4, 2010: Dr Eugenie Clark To Be Honored In Bonaire ↩
  44. Wetpixel article, Jul 4, 2010: Dr Eugenie Clark To Be Honored In Bonaire ↩
  45. Forum thread: Member Introductions ↩
  46. Wetpixel article, Mar 29, 2010: Beneath The Sea 2010 Day 3 Coverage ↩
  47. Wetpixel article, Jul 4, 2010: Dr Eugenie Clark To Be Honored In Bonaire ↩
  48. Wetpixel article, Mar 10, 2015: Dr. Eugenie Clark By Howard Rosenstein ↩
  49. Wetpixel article, Feb 25, 2015: Rip Dr. Eugenia Clark ↩
  50. Wetpixel article, Mar 10, 2015: Dr. Eugenie Clark By Howard Rosenstein ↩
  51. Wetpixel article, Mar 30, 2022: Usps Issues Stamp Celebrating Eugenia Clark ↩
  52. Wetpixel article, Jul 17, 2018: New Shark Species Named In Honor Of Eugenie Clark ↩
  53. Wetpixel article, Mar 30, 2022: Usps Issues Stamp Celebrating Eugenia Clark ↩
  54. RIP Dr. Eugenie Clark (article) ↩
  55. Dr. Eugenie Clark by Howard Rosenstein (article) ↩
  56. Dr. Eugenie Clark to be honored in Bonaire (article) ↩
  57. Beneath the Sea 2010, day 3 coverage (article) ↩
  58. USPS Issues Stamp Celebrating Eugenie Clark (article) ↩
  59. New shark species named in honor of Eugenie Clark (article) ↩
  60. RIP Valerie de la Valdene (article) ↩
  61. RIP Bob Halstead (article) ↩
  62. Raja Ampat anti-malarials (forum) ↩
  63. Member Introductions (forum) ↩