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Cristina Zenato Top 100 Instagram Photos and Posts

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Most liked photo of Cristina Zenato with over 10.4K likes is the following photo

Most liked Instagram photo of Cristina Zenato
We have around 101 most liked photos of Cristina Zenato with the thumbnails listed below. Click on any of them to view the full image along with its caption, like count, and a button to download the photo.

Cristina Zenato Instagram - OMG, HET IS GELUKT! šŸ’™šŸ¦ˆ Wat een ontzettend bijzondere en unieke ervaring om samen met @cristinazenato een vishaak uit de bek van deze Caribische rifhaai te verwijderenā€¦ Het was extra speciaal en bijzonder omdat de haai, een groot vrouwtje, zĆ©lf naar ons toe kwam voor hulp!! šŸ„¹ Ze bleef maar terugkomen terwijl wij keer op keer probeerden om die haak uit haar bek te halen. We hebben het misschien wel tien keer geprobeerd gedurende drie verschillende duiken, het is namelijk Ć©cht NIET makkelijk!! En na elke poging zwom ze een klein rondje en kwam vervolgens weer naar ons toe. Ze had makkelijk weg kunnen zwemmen, maar ze wist Ć©cht dat we haar probeerden te helpen!! En ze wilde dus Ć©cht door ons geholpen worden šŸ«¶šŸ¼šŸ’™ En vergeet niet, dit is (natuurlijk) een volledig wild dier, hoe bizar is dat? Haaien zijn ZOVEEL intelligenter dan veel mensen denken. En ik ben zo blij dat het uiteindelijk is gelukt!! Veel pogingen mislukten. Als laatste redmiddel heb ik de vishaak juist een stukje doorgeduwd, zodat een klein stukje uitstak aan de buitenkant van haar bek. Daar kon ik vervolgens een metalen ring aan vasthaken, en omdat de haai daarna met volle kracht probeerde los te komen, kwam daar zoveel kracht op te staan dat de haak in Ć©Ć©n keer uit haar bek schoot. Van die gore haak is ze in elk geval nu af. Laten we hopen dat ze geen nieuwe oploopt. En MEGA veel respect voor @cristinazenato en het geweldige werk dat ze doet. Wat een fantastische vrouw!! Ze vertelde trouwens ook dat wij de eerste filmploeg zijn die dit succesvol hebben weten te filmen, en ze heeft er echt heel veel op bezoek gehad de afgelopen 30 jaarā€¦ En dat is dan natuurlijk weer te danken aan cameraman Lange Ivo šŸ˜Ž @cameraivo Het was namelijk ALLESBEHALVE makkelijk (hij had natuurlijk ook zoā€™n zwaar chainmail pak aan)ā€¦. Eind goed al goedā€¦.. MISSIE GESLAAGD!!! āœ…šŸ„³ #voorjou #foryou #sharks #viral
Cristina Zenato Instagram - Not one hook removal is like the other one; there are differences in where the hooks is lodged, how it pierce through the skin and which shark is carrying it. When Peggy showed up with three hooks in one place I went to work to remove the most prominent one and also the trickiest that prevents access to the other two. The hook had come through her cheek, showing both the point and the bard. I decide the best way to remove it was to rotate it more forward and slide the eyelet through the open wound. Being a new hook, the skin around the wound was still very tough and not infected, so after turning the hook, it took a couple of attempts to pull it out, but it finally gave in. No matter how many times I witness this behavior, it is always so amazing that the shark keeps coming back allowing me to try over and over again; of course they can only stay for a few seconds, as nature tells them to run away from pain, but there is for sure a thought process of coming back to let me try numerous times. Peggy is now completely hook free. While working on her, a new one, we have not yet named, but seen before, showed up with a double hook and after a few dives and attempts she is also hook free, but that's for another story. Video and support by the amazing @kewinlorenzen with @isotta_underwater_housings @neptunic_com @waterproofinternational @peopleofthewater
Cristina Zenato Instagram - ā€œOne day you will end up all alone and miserable regretting your life choicesā€ - comment received several time over the years over my choice of being single and not having kids. I never planned for anything, nor I looked to fulfill a role that it was not designed for me. I went about my life, finding joy in the passion I had for the ocean, sharks, diving, teaching. I never lacked friends and company, and although alone I never felt lonely. Along the way, I entered and exited relationships that didnā€™t work for me (us) that didnā€™t fulfill, that requested a change I wasnā€™t ready for. I never looked for @kewinlorenzen but we happened and it was a perfect match from the beginning. I always joke I had to wait for him to grow older (we have a considerable age difference, but I know no one noticed šŸ˜‰) Late in life I found the right person, the right companion and life took a different turn. The ā€œwhat ifā€ went quickly out of the window, after all I learned that life is the day we live, the rest is just a surprise. Many worried on the ā€œwhat if he leaves you for a younger one.ā€ My thought was, if I only had one year to live, would I want to live it with him or would I want to not be with him because it was only one?ā€ The answer was very clear from the beginning. I will take what it brings, the rest we can only move on, evolve and learn from. Both times of my life were wonderful, perfect and allowed me to explore and be a part of myself. Today we celebrate six years together, happy anniversary my love. Image from our trip to Cocos Island. @fourthelementdive freediving suits
Cristina Zenato Instagram - Instinctually we know that our energy affects the world around us. Nothing could be more valid than energy to work with sharks, diving and especially interacting with them. Not all the girls in the shiver allow us to pet them and keep them in our lap; it is a personal choice of a selected few, usually the ones I have established a relationship for a very long time, because trust is at the base of our interactions. During the shark interactive course with my shiver of Caribbean Reef sharks, there is a lot going on, sharks swimming around, the nurse shark intruding and pushing with his nose as the shark tries to relax, fish moving in and out, the energy of the student, eager to interact but still trying too hard and sometimes too intensely. I teach to read the shark, the response, to handle her gently until she relaxes by adjusting the touch, the depth of the stroke, the entire output of the student, still making sure that everything else is going well. Our energy is a key component in our interactions. To learn more about sharks and energy, you can join me for courses at www.cristinazenato.com Link in Bio. Video by @kewinlorenzen with @isotta_underwater_housings @neptunic_com @diveshearwater NOTE: Not all shark species need to swim in order to ventilate, many species like Caribbean Reef and Nurse have a secondary system called Buccal Pumping.
Cristina Zenato Instagram - A man died in a cave two days ago; a man we knew, a friend, an industry leader, a family man with a wonderful wife, two children and a long life ahead of him. He was an accomplished and trained cave diver, an experienced rebreather diver, an instructor with thousands of hours under his belt. He grew up breathing scuba diving and technical diving. But he is no longer with us. When these incidents happen it is very easy to hear people saying that what we do is dangerous, pointless, that they would never do it, that we should never go. Instead, after we mourn and cry and speak to each other, we prep our gear and go cave diving, again. We go because it is a way to honor the friend we lost; we honor his passion, his dedication and we continue forward to respond to the same call that has us all going in there. It is the call of human nature to explore, to investigate, to discover, to understand. It is the call that has allowed us to move forward from a fire camp, to technology, to think about going to space, to travel to the depths of the ocean, to climb the highest of mountains. It is a call that might take its toll, but what would we be without that call, without that burning desire to go and push forward? Where would science and technology be if at the first failure we all had given up? Many wonā€™t understand, but those who have been at the edge of their comfort zone and pushed through the boundaries, have found the beginning of their world, their meaning, their passion, their truth. In loving memory of Jared Hires, may you rest in peace, we will see you on the other side, gear in hand.
Cristina Zenato Instagram - Imagine if each one of us completed one good action per day, every time they have a chance instead of thinking that our single action will not make a difference. Itā€™s much easier to sit back and justify our lack of action because of the lack of others acting or the negative status of something we want to change. We sit behind the ā€œremoving one hook wonā€™t stop shark finningā€ ā€œremoving one hooks wonā€™t save all the sharks in the worldā€ or ā€œit wonā€™t convince big fishing companies to stop their destructive practices.ā€ Yet removing one hook makes a difference for that shark and the next one and the one following; it inspires one person to change the way they feel about sharks, the way they live their lives and relate to first the sharks, then the ocean, it may show them the right direction to follow for more changes, inspire them to take others with them, transfer what they learned. These single actions, hooks, sharks and people become the ambassadors for many more. Individuals have inspired changes in the world with their actions; they didnā€™t despair that they were one, the went after their convictions and with determination created a movement. If I listened each time someone told me ā€œyou canā€™tā€ I wouldnā€™t be here; instead I replied ā€œwatch me.ā€ Video by @kewinlorenzen with @isotta_underwater_housings @neptunic_com
Cristina Zenato Instagram - Entering the third stage in a womanā€™s life, under the general umbrella of menopause. Traditionally, this phase begins around 50; however, many women experience it younger, naturally and medically I want to talk about how some cultures associate menopause with aging and a tremendous sense of loss, as if entering this stage, the woman becomes less than a woman. This implies that the work of my womb should define me, and once that is no longer working, I, as an individual, lose my worth Provided that I elected not to have children, I find these thoughts damaging towards women and the broader roles that we play in life and society We need to challenge the negative cultural perceptions of aging that contribute to the shame and stigma around menopause While women are usually aware of hot flashes and period changes, many donā€™t know of other symptoms, including heart palpitations, UTI, anxiety, depression, irritability, mood swings, insomnia, difficulty concentrating, mental confusion, incontinence, osteoporotic symptoms & vasomotor symptoms One morning, I woke up at the bottom of a dark hole. I was sitting in it, feeling the worldā€™s weight on my shoulders, no explanations, no triggers, no warnings. Just a deep sense of sadness, as if life had been sucked out of my soul. No matter what I did or tried to think, it was a heaviness I could not lift, and it left me sad and confused. As it appeared so it disappeared Now imagine dealing with it while running a trip, or teaching a class. I still do it, as do many other women, but itā€™s not easy, and I wish I could share it without shame When I started to inquire about it, I felt undertreated, and my symptoms trivialized; directly told to ā€œsuck it up.ā€ When I asked questions, I heard, ā€œItā€™s different for each one of you; hence, we cannot study itā€ We need a more open conversation about all the aspects of what women go through, not being afraid to share the downs together with the ups. It starts among us, mentioning words that have for a long time whispered and hushed in the corner of a room as if it is something only a few have experienced and should be ashamed of. Reflection post
Cristina Zenato Instagram - Let me introduce myself to all the new and old followers My name is Cristina Zenato, and I have a deep passion for the ocean. In 1994, following an opportunity and a series of choices, I decided to move to the Bahamas to learn how to scuba dive and work with sharks. I thought I would be there for a year or two, then go back to pursue a different career. We are now in year 31 of this journey, and I could not be happier with my choices and decisions. Many ask me how to do what I do. It is hard to give precise lines as some of the opportunities I had are no longer available. Meanwhile, different ones are opening up every day, and I wish I had them way back when. My love for sharks comes from my childhood; I have never been afraid of them, always fascinated, when I finally came in contact with them, I realized most people didn't share my views, especially thirty years ago, and so I embarked on a long journey of exploration of the true nature of the sharks became an ecologist and behaviorist, I started educating first the ones around me and then reaching out as far as I could to educate others about them and ultimately worked for their protection. Removing hooks became as natural as removing the thorn from my dog's paw; I love sharks and want their health and well-being. Today, I am still involved with diving with them, sharing their world with the divers who want to come and meet and understand them better, researching, educating, and following a passion that keeps growing. In my journey, I found a different love: caves, underground, and underwater passageways, but that's for another story. Learn more about my work at www.cristinazenato.com and my conservation work at www.pownonprofit.org With @neptunic_com @peopleofthewater @waterproofinternational @diveshearwater @scubapro @fourthelementdive @kewinlorenzen
Cristina Zenato Instagram - It is tough to make people feel for an animal that has been so vilified and maligned through incorrect language use, myths, and hyped information, but in the end, removing hooks from sharks is an act of kindness I can complete thanks to my presence and the tools I have at my disposal like the chainsuit, so why not taking care of a small shiver of sharks I come in contact with daily? Isnā€™t kindness better than ignoring? Whatā€™s the difference between rescuing a dog on the side of the road and rescuing a shark in the ocean when I come in contact with both of them and have the power and means to help both? Our actions, no matter how small we feel they are, have consequences. At first, the hook removals were locals; they helped the sharks I came in contact with, but the message that sharks are vulnerable by our presence, our actions even when we do not see the consequences, goes beyond this shiver, and it has spread everywhere. We do not all need to remove hooks from sharks to help the ocean, sharks, and nature in general. There are so many different ways to do so from where we are, from donating to a nonprofit involved in shark conservation to changing the way we consume food, to reducing and reusing everything from clothes to plastics and other products, to voting to change legislation in our area that may help with shark and ocean conservation. Learn more about how to support our work through our nonprofit @peopleofthewater Videos by @kewinlorenzen with @isotta_underwater_housings First shark is Crook, second shark is Floppy. @neptunic_com shark suits @waterproofinternational @diveshearwater
Cristina Zenato Instagram - These are some of the titles I have been given in the last three days, all by men, when they started to contest the concept of removing hooks from sharks with weak excuses such as ā€œsharks donā€™t feel pain,ā€ ā€œhooks rust,ā€ and ā€œyou donā€™t know what you are talking aboutā€ (with 30 years of experience of it). When I start to respond with facts and information, and they run out of arguments, they leave these derogatory labels. It is unfortunate that such a profound ignorance about sharks, conservation, pain, and empathy exists in our world; receiving such pushback on the act of relieving an animal of pain is sad and appalling. It shows the tragic state of affairs regarding conservation and the issues we still need to tackle through education. It shows a deep-rooted attitude of offending someone when the argument is not going in their direction. It culminates in verbal abuse. I have witnessed what these comments elicit in other women, and itā€™s a damaging trait of our society and, especially, of social media. Please do not post comments such as ā€œYou are on social media, what do you expect?ā€ it triggers memories of other blame-the-victim attitudes women receive. Social media should be a place of exchange and support and, if we donā€™t agree with something positive, of moving along. So I instead own these titles, because I deserve them šŸ˜‰: Queen, šŸ‘‘ Protector, Empathetic, Caring, Shark Moma, Determined šŸ™ā¤ļø
Cristina Zenato Instagram - ā€œMy Best Friend is an Animalā€ episode 5. The story of why I remove hooks, of how I connect and communicate with sharks and what my mission and my passion are All underwater filming by @kewinlorenzen Thank you @bigwavetv and @lovenature for the opportunity to share my story. #mybestfriendsananimal For how to view it in your country click the link in bio! @isotta_underwater_housings @neptunic_com @scubapro @waterproofinternational @fourthelementdive
Cristina Zenato Instagram - "One small action is better than no big action" - Me When we feel that being one does not matter, that we cannot make a difference because we might be alone, too young, too old, too something else, we must think that each action, no matter how small, has a repercussion, like a stone cast in the water creating ripples effect. At times, we do not realize the reach of our actions, words, or examples, and it's incredible to find out how far they might have gone. The fact is that we might only touch a certain number of individuals, but each one of them owns the power of one and is capable of transferring the message to the next and the next in an expanding wave. When we put our energy, positivity, and connection, we make a difference; all we need to do is start. I am deeply grateful for the support of each and every one of you. Your encouragement and comments are a constant source of inspiration, fueling my determination to continue on this journey.
Cristina Zenato Instagram - Day 10 Question 10 It was only fitting to end the series of ten questions over ten days with the other most asked question about sharks: how to help them. I removed this red snapper rig from Liz on Sunday. I had not seen Liz for a while. When she showed up, she was beaten up, cut and shredded, and emaciated. Luckily, I was able to remove it in one attempt, and Liz is already doing better. Removing hooks from sharks is only sometimes possible, and itā€™s not something we should try to do every time we see one with them; I sure donā€™t. Below are a few ideas to help sharks, including preventing hooks. We need to learn how and where sharks, their meat, and their derivatives are used, from food to cosmetics. It is not only shark fin soup; once we start searching, the amount of sharks present in products is staggering. Educate ourselves and others on their plight and understand what is affecting them, from habitat destruction to pollution caused by plastic, nets, chemicals, sound, light, and heat. We need to learn about the different sharks, ecosystems, and the food supply they use. Once we understand that, we can learn how our lifestyle, although it appears remote from sharks, affects them and how we can improve it. This brings me to a very easy one: reduce and reuse (Iā€™m not a big fan of recycling for the sake of putting something in a bag that someone takes away and ā€œrecycles.ā€ It is not adequate; it is a smoke screen to make us feel good when we keep a single-use lifestyle) Start with one positive change; it doesnā€™t have to be big, but it has to be consistent. Once that one change is integrated into our lives, we can move to a second one. We will never eliminate our carbon footprint completely, but we can mitigate it. If still eating fish, use a better understanding to outsource it, like http://seafoodwatch.org.There is even an app. Last but not least, look into our own backyard instead of the ones of our neighbors and work on local legislation, where we have the power to voice our opinions and vote to change how sharks are perhaps fished, used, and controlled. One small action is better than no big action. Video by @kewinlorenzen
Cristina Zenato Instagram - No act of kindness is too small. The gift of kindness may start as a small ripple that, over time, can turn into a tidal wave affecting the lives of many. K Heath Complaining about an act of kindness because we do not understand it or because it may feel too small or insignificant won't change the world; instead of worrying about what could be done bigger and better, we should start doing what we can with what we have. I keep revisiting the concept of the seastar thrower, the idea of the power of one, and our capability as individuals to start the change we want to see in the world. Removing hooks from sharks, picking up garbage washed ashore while walking the pups, and changing our ways with small actions every day will never be too small. Instead of focusing on what we cannot do, we should focus on what we can do. Our actions are like stones cast in the water, creating a ripple effect. If many do it simultaneously, the tidal wave will follow.
Cristina Zenato Instagram - šŸŖ I remove hooks from the sharks I know and interact with. Itā€™s an act of love the same way I remove a thorn out of my dogā€™s paw. It may not mean much to the world, but it means the world to that shark. It might be the chance to heal the wound, eat again, and avoid further damage and discomfort. And for me, that is enough. šŸŒ¹Little did I know that when I started removing hooks, people would start understanding the damage we could cause to sharks and trying to find ways to save them (which, by the way, does not require removing hooks; there are better and bigger actions to protect sharks, but I will leave that to another post). šŸ™Œ As one person, I have removed over 380 hooks; it may not save all the sharks in the world, but it has made a difference. That is the power of one. Remember: If I look at the mass, I will never act; if I look at the one, I will. Images @kewinlorenzen from archive. With the immense support of @neptunic_com shark suits @waterproofinternational
Cristina Zenato Instagram - ā€œDonā€™t see the point of removing them if they fall naturally/dissolveā€ is one of the most recent comments in the video of me removing hooks from sharks. Here are a few thoughts we should consider before expressing our complete lack of expertise and showing an equal lack of empathy: 1.Hooks donā€™t rust as easily as people make us believe. Videos of people putting hooks in salt water and then taking them out of the water to show the rusting effect fail to explain the oxidation process caused by the oxygen in the air. And even if some hooks eventually rust, they will take a long time. We had a tiger shark who had a hook in her mouth for eight years before it started to deteriorate. 2. Many hooks are made of stainless steel; they do not rust. Period 3. I have seen sharks with hooks slamming into the sand, trying to dislodge them over and over again (see video). I watched them taking off as fast as they could, twitching their fins, and becoming infected in the areas where the hooks were lodged and where the trail lines were rubbing. I see the discomfort left behind by hooks daily. 4. Sharks feel pain. It might not be a pain as we define it, but they feel the disturbance of these hooks, lines, and infections. 5. Empathy and action can make a significant difference. If we can help another being feel better, why not? Thereā€™s nothing negative about trying to help a different species affected by our actions. Empathy is a fundamental part of being human. I have the tools (chainsuit), the knowledge, and the capability to help sharks. It may not help all the sharks in the world, but the 360 hooks removed to date are a testament to this. 6. These sharks and the hooks I removed are ambassadors for many other sharks. By sharing their stories, we can inspire others to change their ways and mitigate their impact on the ocean. Each one of us has the power to advocate for change. Video by @kewinlorenzen with @isotta_underwater_housings @neptunic_com @waterproofinternational @diveshearwater @scubapro
Cristina Zenato Instagram - Reflections from the deck. I have recenly posted about being authentic and refusing to use filters on social media. There were so many beautiful, supportive comments and couple of not so nice. I am not affected by them but they brought up a few thoughts about the way people are acting and interacting on these platforms. The comments can be from wrinkles on my face, to the size of my arms, none of which affects me anymore. I stare at them from a distance; I feel for those who utter those words and know that they are projecting their personal hurt onto others. It makes me worry how these comments could affect someone else, make them feel less than. What if the receiving end is a young mind, someone already overwhelmed by the staggering amount of fake, filtered, even AI created lives, which elevate expectations to a perfection that is not real and as such unattainable? I responded that ā€œSpreading kindness is better than using the power to connect trying to hurt someone; my skin tells the story of a beautiful and fully lived life, each line the memory of something special. Next time you are on the keyboard, think how you can support someone instead of trying to tear them down.ā€ Then my thoughts went further. Aging is a privilege, it is a gift many have not been granted. I lost my best friend when we were 29 years old. My friend, and many others in my life have not had this opportunity to grow gray hair, sport soft skin, show wrinkly smiles and experience loss of hearing (yes that too šŸ˜‚) Aging is not something we should stop, slow down or even attempt to reverse, aging is the gift living is giving us. It goes beyond the filters of an artificial world and enters the realms of what we have been fed forever and ever, in terms of how we are supposed to look, how we are supposed to slow down and reduce a natural process, how if we do not do it we are letting ourselves go. So if there is something we can do when we are out there, when we are being bombarded by information and at times negativity is to remain true to ourselves and when in doubt spread some kindness, it comes cheap and easy to distribute.. Image @kewinlorenzen
Cristina Zenato Instagram - Nurse sharks are ā€œdocileā€ NO! šŸ‘‡Please read below to understand better sharks and their natural behavior. It is common to hear sharks labeled as more aggressive or docile, especially nurse sharks. The definition of docile is ready to accept control or instruction; submissive. Neither of those descriptions is correct for a nurse shark or any other shark. The nurse sharkā€™s nature is different from that of tiger sharks or great hammerheads, as much as it differs from whale and basking sharks; these last two species are occasionally referred to as docile. These animals have specific lives and feedings that might make them less intense when encountering them in the ocean. However, it is a colossal mistake to consider them as possible to control and be submissive. As a matter of perfect example of these misinterpretations, nurse sharks are responsible for quite a large number of bites on humans because of the carelessness of the humans in interacting with them, including divers or snorkelers pulling on their tails while they are resting under a coral head. No animal is aggressive or docile; they present different behaviors based on how they live, feed, and hunt and other variables, from weather to visibility and temperature. Nurse sharks deserve as much attention and respect as the bigger sharks. With my work, I attempt to educate that ā€œone size does not fit all,ā€ that species are different, and that within the species, individuals are unique. Itā€™s time we speak about sharks from their point of view and not from our human interpretation (anthropomorphism is the attribution of human characteristics or behavior to an animal or even object.) Image by me of two nurse sharks resting on the ocean floor during our recent liveaboard trip around the Northern Bahamas to learn about sharks, behaviors, and how to be in the water with them safely. @isotta_underwater_housings @waterproofinternational @scubapro @fourthelementdive
Cristina Zenato Instagram - Sometimes I fell I am a broken record in saying the same things over and over again but I also notice from comments and questions that repetition is the way to create change. Here are a few words we should consider eliminating from our vocabulary when talking about sharks: Shark infested waters; this trend is on the lower side and it makes me happy. Sharks donā€™t infest, they live in the ocean, even close to shore, still their world. Attack: I receive a lot of heat about this one, but a biting shark is feeding not attacking Lurking, patrolling: they donā€™t do any of that, they swim in their world Menacing, aggressive, vicious: letā€™s remove human emotional interpretations from the analysis of an animal behavior. Image of a juvenile tiger shark by @kewinlorenzen during our educational liveaboard trip around The Bahamas to discover and learn more about sharks. @isotta_underwater_housings
Cristina Zenato Instagram - Itā€™s time to say goodbye. I have waited for several months, but the truth is that I knew her time had come from the first few times she stopped showing up for the dive. Grandma had been at the dive site for nearly 14 years, but considering Caribbean Reef sharks live an average of 15-19 years and only show up once they are young adults, I knew her time was coming. Grandma had started to show the signs of aging, something I have seen way too many times. She was thin, with a gaunt look that one acquires towards the end of life. She was no longer interested in coming in and started to skip some days. Grandma is gone, but I still look into the blurred blue, hoping to see her swimming through. My relationship with them is a unique one. Itā€™s one of love and hope and worry. Itā€™s one of never closure because I never really know. Itā€™s one that leaves a piece of my soul empty every time one goes and never comes back. Image of Grandma, named after her light skin color, as gray as the hair of a grandma, and her very calm predisposition. Grandma had a blemish in her left eye and Periodontitis. @isotta_underwater_housings
Cristina Zenato Instagram - Who manages my social media? I do; I manage every channel, every image, post, and writing. People who get a chance to observe my life behind the scenes often suggest seeking help, especially with social media posts and replies, handling messages, and requests. There is a trend to hire an intern and allow them to manage the day-to-day social media platforms to allow more time for managing the business. I complete all these tasks myself because I believe in sharing a valuable message, and to be my message, it has to come from me. How can someone, most likely younger, without the same experience, post the sentiment I want to share using the correct words when they havenā€™t been through what I have and havenā€™t walked the same road? Itā€™s not that they are not good, but they are not me, and they will not be able to catch what I want to share in that moment. My posts are inspired by comments, interactions, and experiences with students, guests, and on social media. I process the words, reflect on the emotions they stir, and communicate the outcome. Do I miss some trends and opportunities for better exposure or following? Most likely, yes, my social media is paired with me, my age, and my abilities to keep following or deciding not to follow some trends, but when someone comes on my posts, they find me uniquely, and they will always deal with direct interaction.
Cristina Zenato Instagram - I am banging my head against a rubber wall! Thatā€™s how I feel today. A rubber wall, because in a concrete wall, I might be able to make a dent, but against a rubber wall, my head bounces back, and the wall remains intact, while I get a major headache. Why? Very simple: there is nothing like the word shark for people to jump on the train of fear, closed mind, and unacceptance of the reality of them, coming back with comments about the viciousness and the mean demeanor of these animals, comparing them to this or that, without any personal in water experience, yet being such excellent keyboard experts in all that is sharks. Repeating the same cliches, the same sentence, clinging to beliefs that cannot and will never be changed, trying to convince me, on my profile, in my line of work, with 30 years of experience, that what they read on the internet has of course much more value than any life long experience. Part of my work is in education, and my mission is to help people transform fear into fascination or at least respect. I have decided to share this state of mind because if you, too, are involved in shark conservation and education, you might hit these walls, and itā€™s okay to feel this way. It doesnā€™t mean I will stop or give up; that is not an option; at the same time, itā€™s okay to share a state of mind that is not always positive and to show that feeling this way is part of the journey. If knowledge is water and different materials absorb water (knowledge) differently, letā€™s say today I came across an ocean of plastic! I kindly ask that you refrain from comments of the kind: ā€œDeal with it,ā€ ā€œYou are on the internet, what do you expect?ā€ or ā€œIgnore them.ā€ Thank you for coming along with me on this journey!
Cristina Zenato Instagram - Day 1 Question 1 A career path like no other! In 1994, through a series of coincidences and choices, I landed in the Bahamas to complete scuba diving training, a dream since I was eight. Once here, I decided I didnā€™t want to go back. I was drawn to the island by the beauty of the ocean, the sharks I had met on my first dive and the lifestyle. I stayed because my heart found home, and my soul found happiness and peace. My background is in hotel management and languages, art, history, & literature. It has nothing to do with STEM; I grew up with the notion that women were not allowed in STEM and other more male-oriented jobs like engineering. I followed my other childhood dream: speaking all the languages of the world. I stopped at 5, but those languages & my hotel expertise allowed me to find a job to stay. In a week, I quit work, boyfriend, car. I was 22 years old & started from the bottom up. I tried to learn everything in my field, vertically by becoming a more advanced and trained diver & laterally by learning everything from regulator repair to photography, driving boats, & creating moorings. I read books about physics, physiology, & geology I used the little money I made to travel and learn from people working in the fields I was interested in. I kept informed with anything I could put my hands on, living on an island without computers and the internet. I found terrific mentors and tried to soak up as much as possible. Later, I turned back to the studies I never had access to, and thatā€™s how I became a shark ecologist and behaviorist. Arriving where I am now took thirty years of daily work and dedication, overcoming significant challenges, and sticking to listening to my heart My work is my passion, and my passion is my work; there is no distinct line. By trade, I am a diving professional, and by calling a scientist. Loving something makes us want to protect it. It didnā€™t take much to see that sharks, ocean, caves, and even the pine forest were intrinsically connected and that damaging one would affect the other. Conservation is my lifestyle, not once a day action, but thatā€™s for another post. Archive image 1997
Cristina Zenato Instagram - Letā€™s talk about the ā€œclose to shoreā€ comments I keep receiving asking to explain why are sharks coming ā€œtoo close to shoreā€ Sharks come in different sizes and species, some of them pelagic, some of them coastal. At certain time of the year more than others some species venture in the shallow for all sorts of different motives, mating, feeding on transitioning fish, water temperature, movement, but they are still in the water and in their world. They donā€™t have a thought of being too close to shore, that is our view on their presence as if close to shore belongs to us not to them. Depending on the factors I mention and even more so sometimes on factor we humans create with our disruptions, sharks follow their instincts and nature rules. Letā€™s stop interpreting their behavior according to our standards and instead learn more about the nature of these incredible creatures who have been here way before us, are older than trees and letā€™s be honest, have a better balanced relationship with their world than we will ever have. Perhaps itā€™s time to learn.
Cristina Zenato Instagram - There is a scary trend going on about sharks. Itā€™s the uneducated and incorrect opinion that there are too many sharks, that they need regulation and culling, and that humans should be the ones completing this task. Itā€™s crucial to address the widespread misconception about shark populations also has the potential to lead us down a dangerous path. Unfortunately, some of these circles hold the power to influence rules and regulations, often for their own benefit, rather than for the well-being of sharks or the ocean. Perhaps the first thing that requires regulation is ā€œthousands of fishing boat charters.ā€ We should have fewer fishing boat charters, fewer humans harvesting from the ocean at once, and less consumerism. If we had fewer humans in shark territory, fishing what belongs to the sharks by right, we would have more fish and fewer encounters. Scientific evidence is clear: shark populations are in a state of crisis. The IUCN red list, a reliable source, lists as much as 37% of sharks and rays as at risk of extinction. And this is based on monitoring only 28% of the different species and populations. These numbers cannot be ignored, and they underscore the urgent need for conservation efforts. Sharks have been on this planet for 450 million years, humans of our species for 150.000 years; we took to fishing 40,000 years ago. I do not see how humans can be responsible for regulating such a long-term being who has survived 5 mass extinctions. The only regulations we end up doing are the ones that involve us. We cause the transfer of invasive species; then we assert ourselves as the saviors by eliminating said species; we cause the overfishing of other species; then we set up quotas and limits on how much we can take, not because it is too much, but because there isnā€™t enough. The concept that we, as a dominating species, have the right to do whatever we wish with the rest of the planet is an ill and incorrect one. Itā€™s the same one that has brought us to the situation we are in now, and it needs to change if we want to save not the planet but ourselves because, ultimately, the planet, without us, will do much better. Video by @kewinlorenzen
Cristina Zenato Instagram - Day 7 Question 7 The physical consequences of 30 years spent underwater and in the elements. My hair is bleached blond from sunlight and salt, but itā€™s not a big issue besides being a tad dry. I have a Pterygium, known as a surferā€™s eye, in my left eye, combined with a constant redness in both eyes caused by sun exposure. I am missing a tooth that was not closed correctly and cracked upon ascent due to the trapped air; I never replaced it because, at the time, it meant spending more than six months out of the water. Ear tinnitus might be the worst consequence. It is sometimes loud and even prevents me from sleeping. I have a lot of extra wrinkles due to sun exposure, but I donā€™t care; they are more the story of my life. My hands, according to doctors, present signs of arthritis; I only see powerful hands with somewhat large knuckles; I have mild carpal tunnel from carrying tanks I have been bent twice, early in my career, for diving too much, for too many consecutive days, and most likely not drinking enough water. Those hits have no significant consequences, but they make me attentive to my diving (No PFO) There are also general consequences that are part of physical work, from tightness in the shoulder muscles to sometimes dropping something heavy on a toe or trapping a nail somewhere and watching it as it goes from red to purple to even falling, the tiredness brought by a day of diving, and carrying gear, together with the mental strain related to the planning and execution of these dives. Being an active diver and sportsperson has allowed me to be strong, to have muscles that keep my bones healthy and flexible, and to recover quickly from a hard day or days. One of the best results of this life is not having to deal with hammer toe, a major hereditary issue in the women in my family, by mainly living barefoot, balancing on boats, and walking over uneven terrain without constricting shoes. My healing is through my yoga practice. It prevents tingling in my hands from carpal tunnel, repositions what I push out of place when hiking and carrying loads, and soothes the body while keeping it strong and I love all of it. šŸ’•
Cristina Zenato Instagram - šŸŒŠšŸ’Ŗ Kicking off #InternationalWomensDay by shining a spotlight on the incredible @cristinazenato! šŸ¦ˆ Known for her groundbreaking work with sharks, Cristina has spent 27 years building trust and understanding with the majestic Caribbean Reef sharks off Grand Bahama Island. Through careful study and patience, Cristina has formed a unique bond with these creatures, offering them safety by removing fishing hooks from their mouths with gentle care. Perhaps as a way to thank her the sharks stick around for a little petting session. Her approach is built on respect and empathy, never forcing herself upon them but earning their trust day by day. As Cristina shares, her work isnā€™t just about saving individual sharksā€”itā€™s about inspiring a global movement to protect these vital ocean guardians. Her dedication reminds us that investing in women like Cristina means investing in a brighter, more sustainable future for all. Join us in honoring Cristinaā€™s extraordinary efforts this #InternationalWomensDay! šŸŒŸ #SaveSharks #SharkConservation #EmpowerWomenā€ šŸŒŠšŸ’™
Cristina Zenato Instagram - ā€œYou will never make a difference,ā€ said the old man. ā€œBut I made it for that one,ā€ replied the young person - from the Starfish Story Every day, we are bombarded and overwhelmed with news about the negative course our planet and the environment are taking. We watch most of the time helpless at the, literally, rivers of plastic choking our streams, reversing into the ocean, killing all animals indiscriminately. We hear about these pollutants returning to us, into our plates and drinking water. We watch as truckloads of garbage and abandoned goods are taken away. Remember, when we throw something away, it doesnā€™t go to a magic place called ā€œaway. ā€œ It goes somewhere else on this planet. We feel that anything we do wonā€™t make much of an impact. Each of us has the power to be the change and inspire it in others. We do not have to kill ourselves by trying to do everything all the time. It is impossible to fight an uphill battle constantly, but each day, we can select actions that have a positive outcome right in the place where we are, in the moment we are living. As I have said before, I cannot save all the sharks in the world nor pick up all the plastic on the beach where we were yesterday. Still, I will pick up as much as I can fit in the car and, through that action, spare a bird, a turtle, or a shark from becoming entangled, eating the incorrect food, or suffering because of our actions. Beach clean up with @kewinlorenzen Wearing my favorite brand @fourthelementdive biking made from recycled nylong.
Cristina Zenato Instagram - Follow your heart, it knows the way! But remember that there is always a price to pay and itā€™s up to us, not others, to decide if it is worth it. For me the biggest price has been being away from my family, missing most of the holidays, the milestones, the celebrations and the losses. And times doesnā€™t help, nor makes things easier. If anything time makes it harder; each year there is someone less to say ā€œsee you next timeā€ to; every year there is someone we canā€™t visit anymore but in our memories. When I started this I thought one day it would hurt less; it doesnā€™t. It hurts more, perhaps because I already know the feeling and the pain that is to come. Now having two families with @kewinlorenzen instead of one, it has created an even higher price tag. I am not saying this for sympathy or words of encouragement, nor please donā€™t tell me ā€œyour choiceā€ but to give a little behind the scenes of what it means to follow our heart. It is the most rewarding choice we could ever make, but it has a price and itā€™s up to us to decide if we are ready to pay it, sometimes over and over again. The dragon fly on this necklace by @goghjewelrydesign is my way to carry my grandmother with me.
Cristina Zenato Instagram - Today I am reposting this incredible capture by @kewinlorenzen I saw the picture as soon as he took it but the more I look at it, the more it makes me think. šŸ‘‰ Of the many years passed diving and observing creatures, the behavior, and choice, of this remora is incredible on so many levels. šŸ‘‰To find safety in the mouth of the worldā€™s second largest predatory shark. šŸ‘‰to benefit not only from the protection but as a source of food while remaining safe šŸ’Æ Additionally, for me, as a perfect example of how sharks are not empty brains swimming around always looking to chomp down on something (like many still tell me that sharks are) but thinking creatures with have a role to play and a connection and interaction with the ecosystem they belong to. to find safety in the mouth of the worldā€™s second largest predatory shark. šŸ‘‡Kewinā€™s original post 惻惻惻 Whoā€™s in there? While taking macro images of the tiger sharks, I noticed this remora happily resting inside the mouth of Maria, one of the biggest tiger sharks on the site. Remoras are usually found hitch hiking on sharks, as they have a mutualism symbiotic relationship. The remora keeps the shark clean from parasites, dead skin, while feeding on food scraps from the tigers meals. You can imagine my surprise when I saw the remora sitting comfortably inside and at a later time swimming outside and resuming a more traditional position. @isotta_underwater_housings @waterproofinternational @fourthelementdive
Cristina Zenato Instagram - Note to ourselves: this is me! It is common to hear from people and especially from women the weight of self-doubt, impostor syndrome and that we should always be doing more and better. We think we don't deserve to ask for a promotion, for a pay raise, or even to be paid for the services we render. We question each decision and step and we are at times, guilt into taking steps we really didn't want to take. While thriving to improve is beneficial, keeps us motivated, happy, and increases our levels, we should not let the feeling that our self-worth is not good enough stop us. We are good enough, we are doing enough. We need to learn that we will ebb and flow like the tide, that we cannot always be the full river barging down the mountain, for, even water, takes a rest during certain cycles of its life and so should we.
Cristina Zenato Instagram - This is why everything we do matters. Great question by @becthediver during the S2:E19 episode with Cristina Zenato on The Scuba Diving Podcast (link to show in bio) šŸ¤æšŸ šŸŖø #oceanconservation #starfishstory #sharkconservation #scubadivingislife #inspire #sweetwaterscuba
Cristina Zenato Instagram - On the south shore of Grand Bahama island in a location I have visited for the last 31 years lives a shiver of Caribbean Reef sharks, a small group I call part of my family. Here is where I interact and remove hooks from them, here is where I invite you to join to share the same. The shark interactive experience and course are a unique way to connect with this special shiver of Caribbean Reef sharks. It allows for a personal experience while learning more about sharks in general. Itā€™s where I will invite to touch a shark, not redirect, where I include to feel their gentle breath while resting in our lap, where a connection is built under my personal and direct supervision. Available on request, check www.cristinazenato.com under courses for more details. Link in bio. @kewinlorenzen will collect your memories through the lens of his camera. @neptunic_com @isotta_underwater_housings @waterproofinternational
Cristina Zenato Instagram - Do ever get bored opening the door and seeing our family members greet us? When we love someone we can never get bored with them. I am a big believer and practitioner of the ā€œdive site fidelityā€, visiting the same place over and over, building a presence and observation skills. Being in the same area teaches us that itā€™s never the same, shows us the changes, the ebbing and shifting of the seasons, of the animals, of the consequences of the human presence. Ultimately I love sharks, always have and seeing them every dive, every day, in the same place is a moment of happiness, and a reassurance for my heart.
Cristina Zenato Instagram - While having a base is important, it is not made of money. When I launched into this life and changed everything, all I had with me were my skills and my attitude. I started from zero; I did not have a penny to my name. I lived with the money I made on the job and slowly began to save. If we wait for things to line up and want everything to be secure, we will never leap into the life we dream of. It means sacrificing, missing out on certain aspects, and keeping the nose on the grindstone. Our ocean life is not easy sailing on the ocean, with perpetual sunshine and flat, calm seas. Our life is full of ups and downs, feasts and famines, seeing people coming and going, and sacrifices. At times, it is being foreign in a foreign country, adapting, evolving, changing, and when the proverbial hits the fan, finding a new way out of it, around it, or once again changing. The video shows an exceptional day; I love it and want to share it. It is the surface of a much deeper life. If we want to do what we love, we need to decide what price we want to pay and see if such expenditure is worth it to live the life we love.
Cristina Zenato Instagram - Saying ā€œSharksā€ is like saying ā€œBirds.ā€ We do not need to be ornithologists to know that not all birds can fly, sing beautifully, or sport vibrant colors. ā€œSharksā€ is one word that includes over 530 different species, from the giant whale shark, the biggest fish in the ocean, to the smallest of the smallest, like the dwarf lantern shark. In between, there are apex predators, like great white or mako; meso predators, like the Caribbean reef or Lemon; the sharks who donā€™t even look like the traditional shark, like the Wobbegong or the Port Jackson; the ones with teeth, the ones who filter their food, the ones who grind it. The first step to understanding sharks and sharing their true nature with others is to learn about their differences, the places they live, and the role they play in their ecosystem. When divers visit us in the Bahamas, they encounter eight or nine different species of sharks; when they come with us to South Africa, they encounter eight or nine additional species of sharks they would never encounter in the Bahamas. Being able to see and experience the variety of sharks allows us to start speaking about them first as species, then as individuals within the species. Each animal is unique like we all are. Their role, environment, and changes happening in that specific location influence their behavior. To learn more about sharks with us, visit www.cristinazenato.com Link in bio.
Cristina Zenato Instagram - ā€œAuthenticā€ Merriam-Webster word of the year for 2023 is ā€œauthentic.ā€ In an age of deepfakes, post-truth, and artificial intelligence, when full accounts are made up by virtual people who live artificially created lives, when we question authenticity, we value it even more. I decided a long time ago that my images and posts would be authentic, representing my life and how I look, with no filters, no smoothing of lines, and no changes in who I am and what I do. My images come with shadows, wrinkles, and the rest, my body comes in its natural shape, in the moment, with messy hair, and unchecked blemishes. Authenticity is missing from our lives, and we crave it now more than ever. I hope more will join in showing their true selves, sharing their unfiltered faces, and reducing comparisons with an unattainable reality to live lighter lives. Celebrating authenticity with these images wearing the designs from @goghjewelrydesign dear friend, and sea sister in the @wdhof. Szilvia makes her pieces one by one and promotes them using images of friends and clients of all ages and looks wearing them; she never uses models. When I sent her the images of me wearing her pieces, I told her, ā€œ They come with shadows, wrinkles, and the rest,ā€ she replied, ā€œ That is how I want them, authentic. ā€œ Use code SHARMOM for 20% off at check out at https://goghjewelrydesign.com Image by @kewinlorenzen
Cristina Zenato Instagram - ā€œIt all started as an act of love towards the sharks I knew; seeing them suffer made me want to help them by removing the hooks they showed up with. Little did I know it would inspire people to want to help sharks all around me and start a conversation about how vulnerable sharks are from the presence of humans. Each hook and each shark in turn became ambassadors for the voiceless ones, they raise awareness towards the plight of sharks that are invisible to our attention and mostly our care. Itā€™s a small hook that started a big conversation on how shark conservation goes beyond the hook itself and enters the world of food choices, legislation, land (yes land) development and consumerism. For each hook removed there is the hope for a better understanding that as individuals we have the power to change the world around us. Words by Cristina Zenato Video by @kewinlorenzen of @cristinazenato @isotta_underwater_housings @waterproofinternational @fourthelementdive @neptunic_com
Cristina Zenato Instagram - I establish a relationship with a shark In the same way, we build all our relationships. We need time, presence, and the understanding that not everything will evolve according to our expectations but that will involve the needs and thoughts of the other individual. ā€œHelicopteringā€ into the site once or twice per year or every few months does not build a relationship. A relationship is built with listening, sharing, and understanding without wanting to change the counterpart. Sharks are creatures with brains and understanding, with memory and connectivity; when I enter their world I take the time to listen and observe and give each one the space needed. When we donā€™t expect anything, the magic unfolds. With @kewinlorenzen using @isotta_underwater_housings @neptunic_com shark suit, @waterproofinternational
Cristina Zenato Instagram - Happy and at the same time tired and frustrated. I am feeling both because in the last few days it has been a continued hook removal, to find more hooks. The reasons? Multiple, including visiting vessels who tie up to the moorings and fish where they should not but mostly because I am hurting seeing the sharks continously pierced through in so many different places. From March 27th through April 2nd these have been the hooks and the removals: Crook: 2 hooks, one piercing through the side of the face- this last one removed, the other one invisible to the eye, I was only able to cut most of the line. Nacho: 1 hook, removed Half Baked: one hook, removed, showed up with two more both swallowed, only the lines showing will be almost impossible to remove Vulcan: 1 hook, removed, 1 more hook two days later, removed Liz: 1 hook removed, 1 more hook two days later, not removed Peggy: 1 hook removed, no more hooks New Shark (Prickly Nose is the tentative name) one hook, line visible streaming from the gills, hook impossible to detect. I hope the stories of these sharks, the continuous presence of hooks, the issues that these hooks cause brings more attention to the pressure we are putting on the ocean. These sharks, in this location, are nothing but a small, minute corner of the world, an example of what as humans we are doing to our planet. I also hope it will show people how each one of us can make a difference; as always I am not advocating for going out there and trying to remove hooks from sharks we donā€™t know or we are not equipped to do, but we can change the way we consume, the way we manage our carbon footprint (from using less plastic to less chemicals for example) and the way we eat. Using my @neptunic_com stainless steel suit (20lbs) to safely remove hooks. Video and support by @kewinlorenzen
Cristina Zenato Instagram - Most people would be terrified to do what you do. So what terrifies you, if anything? I fear shallow living; I fear a life of repetition without fulfillment. I fear the conformity of a life focused on the sole scope of owning material things, a title, a position, a life that, instead of being lived, is full of ā€œwhenā€ and ā€œifā€ of wasted time and missed opportunities. Fear of a life where conformity is the norm and we live by what we ā€œshould doā€ instead of what we ā€œwould love to do.ā€ I have seen so many people unhappy living the life they should have instead of the life they would love to have. So they wait when this lines up, or that will happen; meanwhile, life flows through our fingers like the water of a waterfall. I am afraid of having to ā€œfit inā€ instead of being able to overflow. I am scared of empty small talk and people who canā€™t play like children, of keeping appearances instead of being able to wear the heart on a sleeve. Image by @kewinlorenzen with @isotta_underwater_housings wearing @fourthelementdive mask and Lycra skin @wdhof
Cristina Zenato Instagram - A Caribbean Reef shark lies motionless in our laps, our hands gently stroking her head. She lies there for long minutes, sometimes for half hour, relaxed and trustworthy. A behavior displayed by some of the girls I work with, not all of them, a choice they make each an every time. It is a behavior we accept as normal in other animals but that that amazes most when it comes to sharks. We been filled with incorrect information, hyped up news and these messages have warped the way we perceive sharks and other animals. When we see them behaving in what would be considered acceptable for other species, we are amazed, skeptical or even incredulous (donā€™t get me started on the AI accusations šŸ™„) a sign of the disconnect we have with the natural world. Like all relationships, the one I have with this specific shiver of Caribbean Reef sharks is built on time spent together, knowledge, understanding, appreciation and my love for them. As for the resting on the ocean floor motionless most species of sharks have a secondary ventilation system called Buccal Pumping. Diver with me @_fmaggie Follow to learn more about sharks and come diving with me to experience it in person www.cristinazenato.com Video @kewinlorenzen with @isotta_underwater_housings @neptunic_com sharks suits @waterproofinternational @diveshearwater @scubapro
Cristina Zenato Instagram - The first step in removing a hook from one of my sharks is to evaluate the hook position and the level of embedding into the sharkā€™s flesh. First I usually gently touch the hook as the shark swims by me to verify its conditions and the reaction of the animal to my gentle touch. If the hook feels soft and the shark is not scared by my attempt, I go to work and start the process. Unfortunately some hooks cause great pain and I notice that when I even simply look at the hook; the shark suddenly swims away from my reach. It is hard to explain but it feels as if the shark knows that I am thinking about removing the hook. If instead the shark repeats the approach and relaxes enough, I start with the removal. Each hook is different, not only each shark is different but the reaction of the same shark is different based on the hook and level of discomfort. If the attempts become too stressful, I let the shark rest and try on a different dive or day. All actions completed with the use of my safety suit @neptunic_com Video of hook attempts from Floppy (Caribbean Reef) by @kewinlorenzen The hook finally came out but it wasnā€™t captured on video because of my body positioning. @isotta_underwater_housings @waterproofinternational @diveshearwater @scubapro
Cristina Zenato Instagram - What do we do when after only one week absence we come back to Half-Baked with two hooks (collected between December 2nd and 3rd), Peggy with three (she had only one on the 24th of November) and Nacho still with her one hook through the gills (that one is a very difficult and dangerous one to try to remove), with Crook showing a short line coming out of her mouth and looking all scratched up and beat up (looks like might have been pulled super close to the fishing boat to cut the line.)? If we let the negative of this world affect us, it could be very disheartening. Instead I went to work, because I want to make a difference where I have the power to help. I was able to remove two hooks, one from Half-Baked, one from Peggy, when a new small girl showed up with a double hook and a long line. She will take some time to approach but I will try again today. When we think we cannot make a difference we need to remember we can always make a difference for that one. As I usually say: one small action is better than no big action. @neptunic_com @peopleofthewater With @kewinlorenzen Neptunic
Cristina Zenato Instagram - Tiger sharks are important for the survival of the conch and many other creatures we never thought connected to these apex predators. After all Tiger sharks donā€™t eat conch. So how do these animals prevent the disappearance of a mollusk happily grazing in a sea grass bed? While many know that Tiger sharks are apex predators and are vital in removing sick, injured, dead creatures, many might not realize that their presence redistributes the location of their prey, preventing high concentrations in smaller areas, and with that preventing the over consumption and grazing of some resources like sea grass beds, the vital food for conch. A lot like a wolf in a forest, these creatures maintain a balance so interconnected and so complex that removing them would trigger consequences affecting everyone, including humans. Protecting sharks goes beyond loving them, protecting sharks is key to an healthy ocean, the same ocean life on this planet depends from. Video taken during our most recent liveaboard trip to explore experience up to eight different species of sharks and learn more about the true meaning of the word ā€œshark.ā€ Join us in 2026; details on www.cristinazenato.com Link in bio. With @kewinlorenzen @isotta_underwater_housings
Cristina Zenato Instagram - There are so many misconceptions and myths related to sharks, their world and the fact that we go diving with some species considered ā€œdangerousā€ to humans. Most of these myths and misconceptions come from false information from media, perpetrated divulging of myths and hearsay and the anthropomorphic interpretation of shark behavior. During our trips and experiences we introduce divers to the reality of sharks, of being in the water with them, to the ā€œone size does not fit allā€ concept, we provide tools to evaluate destinations, locations and operators and through presentations and direct experiences share with them the true meaning of the word ā€œsharkā€ Sharks are not monsters, mindless killers, they can detect the differences between us and a prey, they are highly intelligent, selective and accept us in their space in a way that land animals normally donā€™t. For more info check www.cristinazenato.com Link in Bio Filmed with @isotta_underwater_housings during our liveaboard trip around the northern Bahamas to encounter up to eight different species of sharks
Cristina Zenato Instagram - The barrier that drops the barrier between sharks and us. The use of the chainsuit is at time scorned and ridiculed as if itā€™s a discrepancy between my advocacy for sharks and my actions on the field. To me itā€™s the contrary; wearing protection to safely welcome a shark (Caribbean Reef) in my lap is the way we advocate for safe interactions, for the benefit of all involved. When I donā€™t interact and welcome a shark to rest on my legs and in my lap, I donā€™t wear a suit, same as I donā€™t wear a suit when working with tigers or great hammer head sharks. Similarly to a bird of prey we wear an arm cover to allow the bird to rest on our arm not because of the intentions of the bird but because of shape and nature of the claws. This might be the only place in the world where I encourage to welcome a shark in our lap, to interact in such close manner, while wearing the barrier that drops the barrier between sharks and us. Learn more about these incredible interactions and how to join me at www.cristinazenato.com Suit by @neptunic_com
Cristina Zenato Instagram - Talking about past eating behavioral problems doesnā€™t mean having them. Talking about past body dismorphia doesnā€™t mean having it. Talking about it all doesnā€™t mean encouraging others to follow suit, far from it. I woke up to a rainstorm of blocked images, including the one I am posting again because someone found the content sentitive and to a series of emails from FB suggesting support against self harm because someone reported me. Before acting, learn to read the whole post not the first ten lines. Before reporting learn to check all the way through. The post was about the journey from struggle to power, to understanding the process, to arriving where I am today. To many I might appear small, but when I can carry three tanks at once from the vehicle to the cave, that is strength that cannot be faked, when I can pull tanks with a rope up a 40ft drop, that is strength, when I can run miles and miles and then go cave diving carrying gear to come back and still take care of a million things, that is strength and to have it, I fuel my body, correctly. I might be small but I am mighty, I have learned my lessons and I am trying to share them for others to find inspiration, strenght and the power to perhaps find their way out.
Cristina Zenato Instagram - Talking about past eating behavioral problems doesnā€™t mean having them. Talking about past body dismorphia doesnā€™t mean having it. Talking about it all doesnā€™t mean encouraging others to follow suit, far from it. I woke up to a rainstorm of blocked images, including the one I am posting again because someone found the content sentitive and to a series of emails from FB suggesting support against self harm because someone reported me. Before acting, learn to read the whole post not the first ten lines. Before reporting learn to check all the way through. The post was about the journey from struggle to power, to understanding the process, to arriving where I am today. To many I might appear small, but when I can carry three tanks at once from the vehicle to the cave, that is strength that cannot be faked, when I can pull tanks with a rope up a 40ft drop, that is strength, when I can run miles and miles and then go cave diving carrying gear to come back and still take care of a million things, that is strength and to have it, I fuel my body, correctly. I might be small but I am mighty, I have learned my lessons and I am trying to share them for others to find inspiration, strenght and the power to perhaps find their way out.
Cristina Zenato Instagram - The shark approached slowly, gently gliding over my back, slightly hidden by the morning light shining through the water. Her belly was skillfully blended by millions of years of evolution as I looked up. I took a quick image and lowered the camera; I have been here before and seen them many times, but, for a moment, their stories passed through my eyes. I saw an ocean teaming with bountiful sharks, fish, creatures; I saw a world that belonged to them for much longer than we can record in our books and imagine in our studies. In her movement I read the story of an ocean that never included us, yet so necessary for our survival on this planet. I watched as she swam away, never coming closer, and sent with her a wish that we see and understand her value and of all of the others, that we will change our ways, we will pause to let them tell us their stories, before itā€™s too late and we cannot record. Extinction is forever. Image with @isotta_underwater_housings on @shark_explorers for the liveaboard educational trip @kewinlorenzen and I organize several times per year. @waterproofinternational @scubapro @fourthelementdive @diveshearwater @peopleofthewater
Cristina Zenato Instagram - Have you tried to google if fish, and specifically sharks feel pain? On the internet there is a huge amount of disparete information. It is very confusing and people claim that not having the same receptors we have makes these animals not feel pain. But pain (for the lack of better word) is a necessity of survival, it is a warning, it is a learning step for many creatures. Pain might not feel the same to sharks or fish, but it is present. I have seen it first hand, many times over. I have watched these sharks struggling to keep a fish in their mouth, dive into the sand to remove the hook, suffering of long term infections caused by the lingering lines, twiching their fins trying to dislodge the embedded hooks and the pulling caused by some of them. Direct observation of a repeated behavior, provides in this case, as many others, a more reliable information, and although sharks might not feel the way we do, they still feel their definition of pain. It is time we understand that not everyone has to be measured according to our standards and levels, as not everyone is a mammal, walking on two legs. Image of Nacho with a residual infection left behind by a hook I was able to remove by @kewinlorenzen @isotta_underwater_housings
Cristina Zenato Instagram - In 2013, Mia showed up at my door and asked to come in; that moment started a transformative journey that would change my life and the lives of many animals. I became more aware of the dire situation of bully breeds, how maligned they are, the issues with dogs and rescues on the island and other places, the displaced, the abandoned, the abused, used, and discarded. In three years, I would end up with three dogs: two bully breeds and one giant rottweiler mix, black like the darkest of cave tunnels. These are another kind of dog maligned because of fur color. After Miaā€™s passing, we would still end up with three, two black, and one bully breed. In between, @kewinlorenzen and I would start rescuing dogs as we found them. I jokingly remember many of them being in the most inopportune moments, from holidays or weekends when the shelter is closed and we kept them on our balcony until the shelter opened again to being nicely dressed for dinner and having the incorrect shoes on to making us late to a boat or picking up a guest. No matter what, we stop and try to rescue them. There are successful stories, stories of loss, stories that break my heart, and some that put a smile on my face; the fact is, these dogs are cutely yet aptly named land sharks because of the incorrect perception about their breed, attitude, and the stigma that bad owners, not bad dogs, have given them. I believe itā€™s not a coincidence that after obtaining the full protection of sharks in The Bahamas in 2011, a cause I was deeply involved in, I would expand the efforts to other animals so inaccurately portrayed by the media and so maligned against. Just as we worked to change the negative perception of sharks, we are now working to do the same for these misunderstood dogs, advocating for their rescue and protection.
Cristina Zenato Instagram - Dear anxiety: an open conversation about a factor in many peopleā€™s lives Itā€™s early morning, and my phone is receiving a lot of messages from different parts of the world; the messages explain the current feelings about mental health and the concerns related to diving. Anxiety, excitement, expectations, and self-judgment, we can add more names to it, are part of many people involved in this industry. It is brought on by goals we set for ourselves that we feel we cannot achieve, by the expectations of perfection, by the comparison we conduct by scrolling through othersā€™ accounts, feeling they have it all sorted out and we donā€™t. When we put ourselves at the edge of our comfort zone and try to go beyond it, itā€™s normal to have some uncomfortable feelings; if we didnā€™t have them, it would mean the mind is not reading itself for the obstacles ahead of us. But in many cases, especially with certain personalities, we become very hard on ourselves; we set it for all, we want it perfect, and we put so much pressure to make it all happen we sometimes self-trigger these reactions. Provided that we had a very long time to work harder and better than our counterparts in these fields, itā€™s typical also to feel inadequate. As I tell my students, everything I know is not by coincidence. One of the ways I cope with the feeling is to acknowledge it, recognize the presence sitting at the table with me, and ask, ā€œWhy are you here?ā€ The simple fact of voicing the feeling over our shoulders makes the presence less threatening and the conversation open. I then search for why that wave is coming over me and threatening to crash me. At times, it might be a painful process, but it is the same as a wound: once we find the source of the pain, we can work to remove it. I have suffered from an overlap of work and relationship situations that brought massive anxiety levels into my life; once I recognized it, I was able to start the process. It was evident that I had to let go of both sources and jump feet-first into a new state. It was interesting to notice with all the uncertainty and fear that the vast jump brought with it, my anxiety instantly dissolved.
Cristina Zenato Instagram - We are not onlyā€¦ More often than not, we allow society to stuff us into a box. People are so used to what we do that they expect us to always and only show that aspect. When we change, when we show a different side of ourselves when we speak about new, creativity, inventiveness, and being a lot more than one box, we may scare many away, we may deter them from following, and we become afraid of whom we want to be and to evolve into. We allow others to stuff us into a box and go quietly into the night. Why? Is it because we fear the consequences if we break out of the box? In a way, have we convinced ourselves that our choices are the only ones we can keep? In life, we change all the time; for sure, we cannot say we are the same age (fill in the blank) as when we were 18 (if you have already passed that age.) While I have an unmovable passion for sharks, oceans, caves, and their conservation, I have always had other interests and loves. I do not wake up every morning thinking only and solely about the sharks (gasp!) I do not always and only need the ocean; I love the mountains and the snow, and I can stay away from the sharks for a few weeks as I stay away from my pups when traveling for work. My diving has changed since I started; I had an encounter with a long-time guest a couple of months ago, and this person was shocked I was no longer guiding groups of divers on regular reef dives, as I did 30 years ago. I was hit with a ā€œOh, you are too good for that, now?ā€ I am not; I have evolved as a scuba diving professional and ocean conservationist. I have seen and experienced different environments, I have matured, and I have changed. Who I am today doesnā€™t make me less than what I was yesterday, and I can be many different aspects in one. As I always say, we need to follow the heart in life, and the heart knows whatā€™s best for us. When we deal with people, letā€™s try not to put them into a box and to try to watch them from different angles, understanding we come in 360 and not in a flat digital format. Image from a special day in the mountains while visiting my family and being caught up under a major snow storm by @kewinlorenzen
Cristina Zenato Instagram - "I am a galaxy I am 450 million years old I have been here before your time, before the time of the trees I have swam around Pangea and I have shared the oceans with ancient dinosaurs, And yet, now, I am at risk, my survival is threatened by your commercial and recreational fishing pressures, your impact on the seabed and our preys, and damage and loss from your coastal development and marine pollution I am a galaxy and I am trying to survive" - Cristina Zenato Close up image of Tiger Shark eye Maria, at Tiger Beach, Grand Bahama Island by @kewinlorenzen @isotta_underwater_housings
Cristina Zenato Instagram - If we always follow a plan we might miss an opportunity. When I started in this industry I had a plan, and it had nothing to do with scuba diving as a profession. Within months the plan disappeared and my life changed course. In the last few years it has changed over and over again; each time I didnā€™t follow a plan but I listened to what was my deepest desire and tried to realize it, changing yet again along the way. Keeping my mind open, keeping listening to what was really what mattered to me, I was able to catch opportunities I would otherwise ignore because not part of a ā€œplan.ā€ Many friends and well wishing people worry about my lack of plan for when I age, retire, become unable to do what I do, but the fact is, that while we plan for when we stop, we sacrifice doing what we really love to do. In a way itā€™s scary, at the same time, itā€™s what has allowed me to cross paths with @kewinlorenzen and for the two of us to build something new and unique, which we know, eventually will be subject to change. Image by @madeline.g.kennedy taken during our recent project together.
Cristina Zenato Instagram - A message from my hotel room as I wait to present at Faena Rose about my life dedicated to exploration, education and conservation. What do we celebrate today? Or better what is this day about? Itā€™s about celebrating women, empowering and uplifting them, but what are some of the actions we can do from where we are? Support women business, support and celebrate peers, invite other women to join us to experience what we experience, teach, share, educate, but mostly speak up and letā€™s make sure that those who try to stop us they canā€™t, because united we are a force to reckon.
Cristina Zenato Instagram - ā€œShark Yourselfā€ One place in the world, under my direct supervision, in direct contact with this beautiful and special shiver of Caribbean Reef sharks where we reach out and touch them as they approach, we donā€™t redirect, and welcome them in our lap and connect through my guidance, instructions and experience of 31 years leading divers to feel something new, something deeply different that has changed the perspective and the life of so many who have tried this before. With @kewinlorenzen photography and videography, experience something that lasts a lifetime. For more info www.cristinazenato.com With @neptunic_com @waterproofinternational @diveshearwater @isotta_underwater_housings
Cristina Zenato Instagram - Change is something we often consider and dream about. We want to make a change, starting something new, trying something different. We want to leave what we know for the dream that has been floating in our minds. We may have been thinking about leaving a more regular life for something extraordinary. Change comes into our minds often and for a while; we consider it, debate, and often back down after looking into options or toying with a few ideas. There is an instinct to love comfort and certainty; we wait for the "right" time to do things. Mostly, we hope that will be when it's convenient, comfortable, and easy to have a clear vision of what we want to do and a perfectly laid out path for us to follow. The more we wait for this "right," the further away our dreams feel. So we come up with a series of justifications; we don't feel ready or confident, we don't have the necessary amount of time, we first have to wait for others to complete their journey so we can start ours (read kids, partner, parents, or career) I have learned that there are no guarantees in life, no matter how much we plan and wait; but I know for a fact, or as I say to my students, "everything I know is not by coincidence" that if we wait until the life we have is perfectly aligned to build the life we want, it will never happen. Through my life, career, and those I met along the way, I realized that those who appear successful and have what they want didn't wait; they just got started. I launched on my first life change in one week, and that included moving 6000 miles away from home and loved ones. And along the way, we fail, try, stumble, fall, and fail again, only to try once more. We feel the same emotions others feel, from sometimes a level of inadequacy to a lack of preparation. Still, instead of using them as an excuse to back down, we use them as a motivator to improve where needed and up our skills to continue. And when we sit there and think that we are not seeing what we hoped for in the time frame we planned, I always use these two sentences to help: "We have to be beginners before we can be anything else," and "A small action is better than no big action." Image @kewinlorenzen
Cristina Zenato Instagram - I changed my life for you. From one day to another, I left everything I had and moved here from 6000 miles away to be with you every day, every moment. It was 30 years ago, and I still need more time with you, with each one of you. You have filled my life in a way I could never have imagined, and I have loved you since I was a little girl. I have learned through your silent lessons, your beautiful presence, the truth behind the lies about who you are and how you behave; I have sat on the floor with you in my lap and felt your gentle breathing movement and hoped I could sit there forever. If there is a moment I remember forever, itā€™s this moment, every time, every day, every chance. Itā€™s the moment you show me; you show us that connection is possible, no matter the species, language, or differences that may separate us. Image by @kewinlorenzen @neptunic_com @isotta_underwater_housings @waterproofinternational @scubapro
Cristina Zenato Instagram - What is cold? Is it a specific temperature, or a personal feeling that changes due to situations, life (younger or older), being used to a particular climate, diving frequently or not, being a woman, or a man? The PADI manual recommends planning a dive 10ft deeper when the water is cold. I always ask my students: When should we consider planning 10ft deeper? The answer is personal. Cold is personal, it is affected by many variables that it will never even be the same for us under the same circumstances. When I dive, I want to be focused on the dive; I like to be alert and comfortable to take care of my divers, and students. Being cold is a deterrent factor, it can be debilitating and distracting, and if not taken care of, it can lead to dangerous situations fueled by poor and slow decision-making. This year, I have upgraded to a semi-dry wetsuit for all my shark adventures. Its first test run on our last ten-day liveaboard trip was outstanding. We completed dives up to two and a half hours, and I never once felt a hint of being cold, no goosebumps, and no shivering. The heated vests we had previously used with our thinner suits stayed stashed in the cabin the entire time. I cringe when people post a šŸ˜‚ or try to make it a competition on "how cold" it is where they are compared to me. I find it demeaning and disrespectful. It is a trend I notice in some of my posts. I don't care; I wear what I need to feel comfortable and ready, however, that attitude and mindset can lead newer and less secure divers to make the incorrect thermal choice, fearing being ridiculed for their need to feel warm and comfortable. It is time we understand that each person is different and that instead of telling someone which suit they need for "warm" water, we tell them what the water temperature is and ask them what they used before and what was the water temperature there and how they felt during the dives, and even after the dives so we can assist in making an educated estimate of the best suit for their needs. šŸ“ø@kewinlorenzen @waterproofinternational
Cristina Zenato Instagram - In our small world of shark lovers we do not realize how much the word Shark creates a fearful reaction in most of the public. And even when we post videos of our time with different species, showing how they swim among us and interact with us we are still met with incredulity. One of the hardest jobs for me is to make people understand that what we experience is the reality of diving with sharks, not what is created by an imagination fueled by incorrect and hyped up information. Join @kewinlorenzen and I on our liveaboard trips to learn more about sharks, dive with them, experience their presence and surface with a new understanding of the word ā€œsharkā€ Each trip we take only six guests for a private and dedicated experience; filled with lots of different dives and encounters with up to seven species of sharks, we talk sharks, conservation and while I provide educational presentations, Kewin captures images and videos of our experiences above and below the water, we send at the end of the trip. Only a few spots left for 2024 and 2025. 2024 at $5714 per person January 16-26 one male spot left March 1-11 one female and one male spots left (separate cabins) November 17-27 (fully booked) For 2025 at $5924 per person January 22 -February 12 spots (1 cabin) February 4th - 14th (fully booked) November 14th - 24th(fully booked) For more details contact info@cristinazenato.com Video of our dives and encounters with tiger sharks yesterday, November 7th 2023on board @shark_explorers @isotta_underwater_housings @waterproofinternational
Cristina Zenato Instagram - A relationship with my local shiver of Caribbean Reef sharks is built over time spent together, repetition of behaviors, knowledge and understanding. It starts with an invite for touch and it progresses into some individuals coming into my lap and allowing me to pet them. No interaction is forced, the individual shark allowed to come in and leave as they please. This is how we build an encounter with them. To learn more and experience it check www.cristinazenato.com Link in Bio Video @cristinazenato
Cristina Zenato Instagram - You should! How many times and in how many different forms have we heard this? How often are we told how we should run them? We should fill in the blanks of what others would like our lives to evolve into as if doing something different is not the correct way. It even applies to my social media, on what I should and should not post, discuss, or write about. There is tremendous pressure from society to stick to some timelines and roles throughout our lives, which goes for both men and women. I do not talk often about some of my profound choices, for example, being childless, but I believe it's essential we do not feel stuck or defined by only a specific role. We are more than a title, an accomplishment, or a role. We can be whatever we want to be. So, yes, we should be free to make our choices, decide what is best for us now, change our minds without repercussions, and live the lives we feel happy with, not the lives others think we should pursue. Wearing @neptunic_com performance long sleeve
Cristina Zenato Instagram - Of the many arguments around shark diving tourism is that we should leave sharks alone. It is a great concept and one I would wholeheartedly agree with. If a healthy population of sharks existed, we would see sharks everywhere. Unfortunately, our presence on this planet and the changes we have caused since the industrial revolution have put tremendous pressure on the oceans, including sharks. Most sharks present a combination of slow growth and late sexual maturity, long gestation periods and small litters. Combining these elements doesnā€™t allow sharks to compensate for the pressure posed by modern fishing. The high demand for shark fin soup and by-catch has put a strain on populations worldwide, bringing many species on the verge of extinction. Sharks are a vital component in the food web; as an apex predator and mesopredator. Healthy and protected populations of sharks guarantee balanced eco-systems. Sharks play an essential role in maintaining an equilibrium between the species on the food web. They act as ocean cleaners and remove weak, sick, and dead creatures. By keeping control over the number of individuals per species, they maintain coral reef and seagrass habitats, contributing to a broader diversity and concentration of individuals. Shark tourism is a viable solution to shark conservation through economic benefits. Governments, such as The Bahamas, Palau, and Fiji, have realized the economic and natural advantages of promoting shark tourism and protecting sharks. The Bahamas register an average annual 113.8 million dollars in revenue in shark tourism, 109.4 million directly from shark diving. These numbers exclude the extra income produced by the additional activities conducted both by the divers and the traveling partners during a single stay in the Country for shark diving. Shark Diving Tourism is currently beneficial to both sharks and the local economies; however, like anything else, it needs to be conducted with consideration for the people involved, the people who might visit the area before or after and the sharks themselves. But these points are for the next post! šŸ“ø by @kewinlorenzen during our CZKL liveaboard trip
Cristina Zenato Instagram - One size does not fit all I said it before I say it again There are over 500 species of sharks, we canā€™t find a one response to all situations with one species nor we can find a one answer for all species. šŸ‘‰ my biggest recommendation if we have concerns, is to evaluate location, ask locals about the presence of animals, about where to go, what to do (or not to do) about recommended times. We hear that knowledge is power, letā€™s acquire the knowledge to better understand our position as visitors in a world to which we donā€™t belong. šŸ’™ šŸ¦ˆ
Cristina Zenato Instagram - I have recently celebrated another spin around the sun. What does it mean for me? Another year to ponder, evolve, develop and hopefully to inspire the future generations to protect our oceans and the sharks. Another year to appreciate even more this precious gift called life. But mostly another year to learn more that ā€œThere is no explanation requiredā€ for following our dreams, and for staying true to our hearts. It is not always easy to keep the external voices trying to convince us that what we are doing is not, full in the blank. Those words are a projection of their fears, their doubts, their frustrations, they are not really directed at us. For that reason we donā€™t need to explain who, why, when. We need to be, that is the best explanation and example we can provide. Wearing @slipinsurfskins
Cristina Zenato Instagram - The business of shark and ocean conservation I recently received comments about loving my work but being disappointed about the commercial side of some of my posts. The comment shamed me for using an emotional connection to a token I was wearing that was part of raising funds for our work and told me they hoped I would find myself again. I am all here that I can guarantee. I am commercial; I have to be commercial. I learned to be a little more as I used to feel guilty charging for my services, knowledge, expertise, and years of dedicated work. Like everyone else, I have to make a living, and my living is made by being a professional scuba diver, providing unique encounters and experiences with sharks, teaching and guiding in caves, and using tech gear such as rebreathers. I use products I love, I have purchased and used for years before we started to collaborate, and in exchange, we support each other in our work and mission. It is an aspect we need to accept to keep functioning and being able to continue our contribution. In return, I use my income to welcome students into my life, to teach them for free, to conduct online education free of charge, to explore, map, and collect data for caves we submit for review and conservation, to go out and remove hooks from sharks on our time off, to provide images and content to many who are seeking support for their educational and conservation mission and so much more. Many of these actions we do not advertise; we do them. Being commercial is one aspect of the business; it does not take away from who we are, what we do with all our heart, and the results of our efforts. Image @kewinlorenzen @neptunic_com
Cristina Zenato Instagram - Life is made of small, special shared moments, of laughter with friends and family, of experiences that make us happy and feel alive, of the present time, the steps we have taken in the right direction to make us feel alive, happy and fulfilled. Letā€™s not worry too much about having the perfect hair, the wrinkles-less face and the eternal youth as with time and experience come wisdom and a special gift called memories. Every day I make a point to pause, watch what I had just been watching with a different intent and focus on realizing how special the moment is. Some may might think itā€™s easy doing this when living this life but I have done the same exercise while in a taxi heading to Los Angeles airport at 3 am, I paused the thought, here is a moment that goes into a memory. I took in the empty and quiet streets, the darkness and the strange feeling for an island girl to be right there in that moment. Selfie taken at sunrise on our liveaboard trip around The Bahamas to encounter and learn more about sharks.
Cristina Zenato Instagram - Itā€™s International Womenā€™s Day! I thought long and hard about this post. I have had some amazing inspirational women guide some of my choices through the years in my career, many of which I have been able to share time, dinners and conversations with. I wish I could list them all and yet I am afraid to miss someone; so I decided to summarize my admiration for those women who inspired me, trailblazed and broke glass ceilings through the biggest recognition for my mom. My mom is the quiet strength of many women out there. As an only child, she let me ā€œgoā€ to pursue my dreams and my passions. Never once mentioned how that affected her so it wouldnā€™t affect me, never once she used it as guilt trip to get me back (and trust me, I have seen some moms doing that to some of my friends.) Instead she stood strong and when I asked her why she did it, she said she wanted me to have the freedom and opportunities she not always had growing up as a woman in her time. Today, like most days, mom is 6000 miles away and I miss her. Happy International Womenā€™s day!
Cristina Zenato Instagram - "Redirect The Shark!" I want to review this concept as it is diluted within the flurry of social media posts. I am a great advocate for sharks and our understanding of their world and behavior. To do this, we need to consider sharks by species, location, and behaviors, understand if they are used to human presence, and then adapt to them. No one formula works for all, itā€™s what I call ā€œOne Size Does Not Fit All.ā€ If we see a shark approaching, for the most part, we will be okay. The sharks that might pose a risk to a swimmer or diver are traditionally ambush hunters, and they are called like that because they ambush. While we are so used to seeing sharks languidly swimming around divers, we need to remember that a shark in a more active mode can move at the speed of lightning. It is so fast, so sudden, that our "redirect" won't mean anything. When I introduce my students to the dive with our particular group of Caribbean Reef, I instruct them to let the sharks come in and to keep relaxed and still so they will come closer. We can do that because we know them, and they know us. This behavior might not be ideal in other cases and species. We might want to be more alert and present, less "quiet" to indicate to the animal that we are aware of them and simply asking to share their space. The worry I have about the "redirecting" is that it does not explain and disclose that these sharks are used to human presence; they are not in an active mode and are simply coming closer to a human because humans have conditioned them to do so. There is nothing wrong with conditioning in itself when it is in a known, specific area, i.e., Tiger Beach, but a shark not used to that interaction won't approach that way. Redirecting is not a solution; sharks generally avoid divers and humans. I am worried that this trend may cause a false sense of security when, in fact, the best security is learning about sharks as a species, but also as location, as behavior, and how to best enter their world and sometimes, only sometimes, how to decide to stay out of it. Learn more https://cristinazenato.com/courses/ šŸ“ø @kewinlorenzen with @isotta_underwater_housings @neptunic_com
Cristina Zenato Instagram - JAWS the movie: can we give it a rest? With a lifetime dedicated to working with sharks, sooner or later, the conversation falls on JAWS. Not only has it caused damage to the reputation of sharks, but it has also caused physical damage to the shark populations after it was released. I do not deny that the following hysteria was caused and stirred to high levels by the motion picture. Still, the more I hear about it, the more I disagree with these thoughts. The fact is that poor Mr. Benchley didnā€™t even make the movie; he wrote a novel in 1974, directed by Steven Spielberg, and the Jaws movie, released in June 1975. The movie and the novel are works of fiction and fantasy and very well done for that time. Neither Peter Benchley nor Stephen Spielberg created a documentary nor advertised it as such. So, why do ā€œJawsā€ still affects people after so many decades? The response is in the people, not the movie. The focus needs to shift from the sharks to us. Jaws taps into the fear of the unknown and the sense of powerlessness towards the oceans. As humans, we are used to conquering and transforming our environments. There is nothing we can use in the water to our advantage; the shark becomes the symbol of our incapability and the target of our fear, triggered by the lack of control. The description of a sharkā€™s behavior enters the anthropomorphic interpretation of animal behavior. We project our feelings and actions onto an animal so distinctively different from us. We cannot compare sharksā€™ emotional range to humans or other mammals. Simply put, sharks do not have a mean demeanor. The root of the word ignorance comes from the Latin ā€œignoratio,ā€ which means without knowledge. In that sense, we are ignorant of their world and lives and remain afraid of what we do not understand. The only power that Jaws had and has is the one the individuals give to it. The true answer to resolving it is learning about sharks, the wide variety of shark species and behaviors, and how rare it is to experience a negative encounter between sharks and humans. @isotta_underwater_housings @waterproofinternational @scubapro @peopleofthewater
Cristina Zenato Instagram - It was a childhood dream to have sharks for friends while monitoring the ocean and making sure divers would not damage it. It was dismissed at best, but following our heart is the best gift we could give ourselves. And so I did, 31 years of pursuing a dream that I have been able to make come true. A dream that has opened the doors to more adventures, more experiences, incredible encounters and life lasting memories, and friendships. My love for sharks has brought me the most unexpected moments; my obsession in pursuing my dream regardless of the ā€œnoā€ ā€œnot for youā€ ā€œā€crazy dreamā€ and many more opportunities taken away has lead me to be more determined. There is no direct road, mapped way, there is no guarantee, none whatā€™s so ever and yet itā€™s the most amazing gift we can give ourselves, to listen to our soul. So take flight, give it a try, and say yes to living the life you dream instead of dreaming of the life you wish you had. With @waterproofinternational @diveshearwater @scubapro @fourthelementdive @isotta_underwater_housings
Cristina Zenato Instagram - The most important lesson we need to learn is that the ocean belongs to sharks and not to us. We are the invited guests into their world and we should behave the same as when invited into someoneā€™s home. If we based our behavior and interaction on this inevitable truth we will learn that we need to protect rather than destroy, understand rather than fear, appreciate rather than damage. We teach this and more during our ten day nine day expedition to meet up to different species of sharks in The Bahamas. We share diving, conversations, education, we learn about the differences, we spend time in the water with them and we surface with a better understanding of the word ā€œshark.ā€ Learn more about our trips at www.cristinazenato.com With @neptunic_com
Cristina Zenato Instagram - There is a part of me that is somewhat known, Cristina and her sharks, the hooks I remove, the diving I conduct Officially, I am a professional scuba diving instructor trainer, technical diving instructor, cave explorer, shark ecologist and behaviorist, underwater photographer, writer and speaker, with thirty years in the field & a few recognitions for my work I live my life by exploration, education & conservation. My work is my passion, my passion is my life, it is all blended in a mix of teaching, diving, exploring, together with giving back, mentoring & hosting, educating and involving. At the same time I am a person, with my good days and my bad ones, I have my insecurities and my quirks, l get tired and sometimes irritable. I have a sense of "sharkasm" some might not get when they first meet me (or when I attempt and fail with written messages) a love for life that has me collect sunrise and sunset pictures in my phone by the 1000s, who rescues dogs, no matter what and where, who has her heart broken, her hopes crashed, her dreams canceled, only to start all over again. I can haul gear through the bush and hack my way with a machete till my arm is about to fall off to reach the place I want to go; I equally love putting on a dress and enjoy a quiet and family time. I love to read, listen to music, exercise. I dedicated my life to my passion and obsession. I met Kewin Lorenzen at age 46, he understood that our love affair included a third party, my passion for what I do. He embraced the whole of me, the dogs, the exploration, the education, the conservation, the quirks. He expanded and enriched it. (not the quirks) We married and have been together 7 years. I love to mix and match people, bring them together in the common love for the ocean. Nothing makes happier than receiving images from different divers and students I met at separate times and who are now meeting and thinking of me. I am an emotional creature, aware of her shortcomings, trying to do her best, sometimes not successfully, but with a constant love for life that fuels every action of my day. It all starts with a good cup of coffee. With @kewinlorenzen
Cristina Zenato Instagram - Humans tend to interpret animal behavior according to our standards, sensory systems, and logic. Sharks are first nose and hearing, pressure vibration (lateral line), vision, electro vibration (Ampullae of Lorenzini), touch, temperature, and taste, in that order. Although we cannot use our sense of smell underwater unless it's extreme, like the sulfur we find in the caves, sharks have a highly defined sense of smell, so much that up to two-thirds of the total weight of a shark's brain is dedicated to it. Each of us emits unique scents and hormonal secretions. Thanks to their highly developed sensory system, the sharks I work with can detect my unique scent, my heartbeat, my particular movement through the water, and my electro vibrations. They don't need to 'see' me to know it's me. Follow for more information about shark senses. Images by @kewinlorenzen @isotta_underwater_housings @neptunic_com
Cristina Zenato Instagram - "Sharks are not killing machines; they are animals, breathing, thinking, and useful creatures worth our attention. Kindly leave the 1970s and join us in the 21st century!" It's the pinned tweet on my account, and yet, after posting this image, I received the following comments: "Chomp chomp - that is a foreboding breed!" "Fish and fish food. Got it." The sad part is that the second comment comes from the account self-described as -An unofficial team of scientists & activists in & around Yellowstone. Posting photos, ideas, and solutions, because we can change the world together.- followed by their pinned post, "Signing off tonight with this reminder "They are living, thinking, feeling beings And they deserve our respect, even if we haven't earned theirs. One love" Yet even this community cannot disconnect from the incorrect perception of sharks and cannot see them as they ask us to see other creatures. Their comment is a basic example of the battle we are still fighting; environmentalists and scientists are scared by an image of a diver taking a picture of a fish. They are not seeing the image in their minds; they are seeing what they want to believe instead of what is in front of them. We have a lot more work to do. This is an image of @kewinlorenzen taking a picture of Maria, tiger shark, as she swims over his head during our recent liveaboard trip to encounter, learn about, and understand more sharks. Join us on board @shark_explorers with only a few spots left for 2024 and 2025. 2024 at $5714 per person January 16-26 one male spot left March 1-11 one female and one male spots left (separate cabins) November 17-27 (fully booked) For 2025 at $5924 per person January 22 -February 1, two spots (1 cabin) February 4th - 14th (fully booked) November 14th - 24th(fully booked) For more details contact info@cristinazenato.com With @isotta_underwater_housings @waterproofinternational
Cristina Zenato Instagram - I often receive different questions about the shiver of Caribbean Reef sharks I work with. šŸ‘‰some answers šŸ‘‡ 1. We name the sharks after a repeated recorded presence of at least six months on the site 2. We wait to see which markings stay and do not disappear in the time the new shark keeps coming back; we usually pick three to four different markings to first ID the shark, then keep the one that remains 3. Yes they are all mostly girls; males occasionally show up when injured, sick or during mating season 4. The girls show up when sexually mature, at about 3ft long 5. In Caribbean Reef sexual maturity is by size not age 6. We record them with video and ID images, measure them and keep a data base 6. We also keep a log of each sighting each time 7. The name is decided based on the markings to make the ID fast and the connection between a person seeing them and recognizing them immediately 8. A name reflects a marking, sometimes together with a personal trait. 9. They are individuals, they act and think differently and with each one the relationship is slightly different 10. The longest recorded presence has been 14 years; they live an average of 15-18 years. @neptunic_com @scubapro @waterproofinternational
Cristina Zenato Instagram - It has been a while since we mentioned some of the girls (Caribbean Reef Sharks) present on the site. Some of the old guard are gone, some are still here. In total we have twelve girls, one boy (new) and one nurse shark (male.) In this video Nacho, six years on the site, named after the notch on her dorsal fin and a nacho size marking on her body, Hook, currently the longest resident with Crook at 13 years of presence, named after the hook shape of her bottom dorsal fin and Peggy, five years on the site, missing a small part of her left pectoral fin, peg-Peggy. Filmed at Shark Junction, Grand Bahama where we dive and operate with this special shiver of gorgeous ladies. @neptunic_com @waterproofinternational
Cristina Zenato Instagram - I watched for the 1000s time these different species of sharks, some considered ā€œdangerousā€ or even ā€œaggressive,ā€ a word I do not like to use to describe animals, sharing their space with our small group of divers during our liveaboard experience. Although I have been here many times before, I have seen all of this unfolding over and over; my brain could not stop going back to the negative push that sometimes organized shark dives receive, mainly from those who have never been on one and do not understand sharks and their behavior. I watched Tiger sharks mixing with Bulls, Lemons, and the Caribbean, all cruising in front, around, and behind each other and our divers, and once again wished that everyone could watch this, realize the reality of sharing the space with sharks, and how with knowledge and understanding it is possible to learn more, love more and ultimately protect more. Images taken by me yesterday during one dive: Bull Shark, Carcharhinus leucas Lemon Shark, Negaprion brevirostris Tiger Shark, Galeocerdo cuvier Tiger sharks swimming over divers Lemon shark resting in between divers With @kewinlorenzen on board @shark_explorers for our liveaboard trip to learn more about the sharks in The Bahamas. @isotta_underwater_housings @waterproofinternational @scubapro @fourthelementdive
Cristina Zenato Instagram - I watched for the 1000s time these different species of sharks, some considered ā€œdangerousā€ or even ā€œaggressive,ā€ a word I do not like to use to describe animals, sharing their space with our small group of divers during our liveaboard experience. Although I have been here many times before, I have seen all of this unfolding over and over; my brain could not stop going back to the negative push that sometimes organized shark dives receive, mainly from those who have never been on one and do not understand sharks and their behavior. I watched Tiger sharks mixing with Bulls, Lemons, and the Caribbean, all cruising in front, around, and behind each other and our divers, and once again wished that everyone could watch this, realize the reality of sharing the space with sharks, and how with knowledge and understanding it is possible to learn more, love more and ultimately protect more. Images taken by me yesterday during one dive: Bull Shark, Carcharhinus leucas Lemon Shark, Negaprion brevirostris Tiger Shark, Galeocerdo cuvier Tiger sharks swimming over divers Lemon shark resting in between divers With @kewinlorenzen on board @shark_explorers for our liveaboard trip to learn more about the sharks in The Bahamas. @isotta_underwater_housings @waterproofinternational @scubapro @fourthelementdive
Cristina Zenato Instagram - I watched for the 1000s time these different species of sharks, some considered ā€œdangerousā€ or even ā€œaggressive,ā€ a word I do not like to use to describe animals, sharing their space with our small group of divers during our liveaboard experience. Although I have been here many times before, I have seen all of this unfolding over and over; my brain could not stop going back to the negative push that sometimes organized shark dives receive, mainly from those who have never been on one and do not understand sharks and their behavior. I watched Tiger sharks mixing with Bulls, Lemons, and the Caribbean, all cruising in front, around, and behind each other and our divers, and once again wished that everyone could watch this, realize the reality of sharing the space with sharks, and how with knowledge and understanding it is possible to learn more, love more and ultimately protect more. Images taken by me yesterday during one dive: Bull Shark, Carcharhinus leucas Lemon Shark, Negaprion brevirostris Tiger Shark, Galeocerdo cuvier Tiger sharks swimming over divers Lemon shark resting in between divers With @kewinlorenzen on board @shark_explorers for our liveaboard trip to learn more about the sharks in The Bahamas. @isotta_underwater_housings @waterproofinternational @scubapro @fourthelementdive
Cristina Zenato Instagram - I watched for the 1000s time these different species of sharks, some considered ā€œdangerousā€ or even ā€œaggressive,ā€ a word I do not like to use to describe animals, sharing their space with our small group of divers during our liveaboard experience. Although I have been here many times before, I have seen all of this unfolding over and over; my brain could not stop going back to the negative push that sometimes organized shark dives receive, mainly from those who have never been on one and do not understand sharks and their behavior. I watched Tiger sharks mixing with Bulls, Lemons, and the Caribbean, all cruising in front, around, and behind each other and our divers, and once again wished that everyone could watch this, realize the reality of sharing the space with sharks, and how with knowledge and understanding it is possible to learn more, love more and ultimately protect more. Images taken by me yesterday during one dive: Bull Shark, Carcharhinus leucas Lemon Shark, Negaprion brevirostris Tiger Shark, Galeocerdo cuvier Tiger sharks swimming over divers Lemon shark resting in between divers With @kewinlorenzen on board @shark_explorers for our liveaboard trip to learn more about the sharks in The Bahamas. @isotta_underwater_housings @waterproofinternational @scubapro @fourthelementdive
Cristina Zenato Instagram - I watched for the 1000s time these different species of sharks, some considered ā€œdangerousā€ or even ā€œaggressive,ā€ a word I do not like to use to describe animals, sharing their space with our small group of divers during our liveaboard experience. Although I have been here many times before, I have seen all of this unfolding over and over; my brain could not stop going back to the negative push that sometimes organized shark dives receive, mainly from those who have never been on one and do not understand sharks and their behavior. I watched Tiger sharks mixing with Bulls, Lemons, and the Caribbean, all cruising in front, around, and behind each other and our divers, and once again wished that everyone could watch this, realize the reality of sharing the space with sharks, and how with knowledge and understanding it is possible to learn more, love more and ultimately protect more. Images taken by me yesterday during one dive: Bull Shark, Carcharhinus leucas Lemon Shark, Negaprion brevirostris Tiger Shark, Galeocerdo cuvier Tiger sharks swimming over divers Lemon shark resting in between divers With @kewinlorenzen on board @shark_explorers for our liveaboard trip to learn more about the sharks in The Bahamas. @isotta_underwater_housings @waterproofinternational @scubapro @fourthelementdive
Cristina Zenato Instagram - When you love someone deeply, you want the world to know about them and feel like you do. The best way for me to share my love for sharks is to share it through direct introduction and contact. Every time, no matter how often I can introduce someone to my particular shiver of Caribbean Reef shark girls, I see the change in the person, a new connection, and a new understanding. I have been doing this for the last thirty years, and I have touched something more profound and different. Doing so has created a new ambassador, a new voice for the sharks. It is a voice adding to the chorus of those of us invested in the ocean, especially shark conservation. Image by @kewinlorenzen during one of my most recent shark courses. For more details visit https://cristinazenato.com/courses/ @neptunic_com @isotta_underwater_housings
Cristina Zenato Instagram - After returning from New Orleans and attending DEMA, a yearly diving professional convention, I received a few comments and questions about the city and my experience. While I was there, we received many warnings about the cityā€™s dangers; we were told not to walk anywhere and always to catch a cab, which we never did. We walked everywhere, stepped through busy areas, jumped across many stinky and sticky items on the roads, skipped many rats, and experienced the little we could with the short time we had before having to spend more of our days inside the conference hall. Reflecting on my experience, I realized big cities are not for me; they never have been. I vaguely remember visiting New Orleans back in 2000, and the memory and feeling have mainly stayed the same. This place gives me a sense of sadness and yet a sense of marvel. I didnā€™t like the display of the use and abuse we humans subject ourselves through addictions; I felt sad seeing so many people wasted, many living in ways seeking peace of mind and happiness, that it would be hard to find where they are looking. At the same time, I enjoyed the history dripping from the walls, rising from the ground, the mixing of cultures, and the background of what bringing together different languages, cultures, and attitudes can create. There was beauty in the details, creativity on the corners of different streets, and expression of the soul. This experience made me realize how we sometimes search for fulfillment somewhere out there, how we tend to run away from our problems, thinking they would get better on their own, without noticing that we keep carrying ourselves and that actual change only comes from within. I completed the journey some time ago, and viewing it from the outside was fascinating. We are the reason for our being. We can leave and travel and change location, but while we do that, we need to change how we perceive ourselves, learn to accept who we are, and use our energy to better our lives from within. Image @kewinlorenzen
Cristina Zenato Instagram - Let's talk Tiger Sharks. I have received so many questions about these incredibly fascinating yet often maligned creatures, I decided to share a few facts. They get their name from the characteristic vertical bars covering the sides of their body. Though very noticeable in juveniles, these stripes fade once they reach adulthood. They can reach up to 18 feet (5.5 m) in length and 2000 pounds (1 ton) in weight. They are the fourth largest shark (behind the whale, basking, and great white sharks) and the second largest predatory shark. They live 30 years. Their diet is one of the most diverse, including fish and invertebrates, seabirds, sea turtles, marine mammals, rays, smaller sharks, sea snakes, and scavenged dead animals. Depending on the area, they specialize in one type of prey; for example, in The Bahamas, a big part of their diet consists of turtles. Tiger sharks mate via internal fertilization (males have two organs known as claspers) and are ovoviparous. That means the embryos develop inside individual eggs inside the uterus until they hatch. Then, the mother gives birth to live juveniles. On average, she gives birth to 30 to 35 young. Like all other shark species, once sharks are born, they have no parental care and are left to fend for themselves. While adult tiger sharks have no natural predators, juveniles may be eaten by other sharks, including adult tiger sharks. Juveniles and adults live in slightly different habitats for this and other reasons. The juveniles live in more protected and shallow areas, while the adults live in the open ocean and coral reefs. The current status of the tiger shark is "near threatened" with extinction. Beautiful image by @kewinlorenzen on our November Tiger Beach Join us for these special trips, max six guests. We only have a few spots left for 2024 and 2025. 2024 at $5714 per person January 16-26 one male spot left March 1-11 one female and one male spots left (separate cabins) November 17-27 (fully booked) For 2025 at $5924 per person January 22 -February 1, two spots (1 cabin) February 4th - 14th (fully booked) November 14th - 24th(fully booked) For more details contact info@cristinazenato.com
Cristina Zenato Instagram - Day 2 Question 2 The Average Day Following is a summary of what a day on the island might look like. I usually wake up around 5 am. It is my solo time in the darkness and silence of the apartment. Then, I start by checking social media and answering questions coming from those parts of the world already up. By 6 am, I prepare coffee, and with Kewin, we start working on emails, requests, and social media posts. By 7 am, I will be out the door to walk the pups and complete the morning run. Then the controlled chaos starts: it's a mix of preparation, carrying gear, diving, teaching, walking to and from the caves, following projects, testing gear, more diving, more teaching, picking up and dropping off guests. Depending on the day we finish, between 2 and 4 pm, clean and put away gear, prepare for the next day, dash home to walk the pups, check emails, jump on calls, and catch up with what I missed by not checking the phones for hours. In the midst, there is always the time to stop and rescue animals as needed, no matter what we are doing. Time is spent looking at the calendar, selecting images, editing vidcos, discussing new ideas and issucs, and addressing everything related to running a two-person and non-profit operation. Of course, the video does not share the daily routine of life: cleaning, laundry, grocery shopping, cooking, and eating, which we fit in between all other duties. My day is not so average; it is never a set schedule. During a week, I cave dive, then sharks, and go back to the cave to have a day to catch up on phone calls and emails and take more time with the pups or to use the time for personal ideas and projects. The nature of being obsessed with what I do and loving it beyond being a job blurs the boundaries of time on and off. Doing what I do is a life calling; it does not have a clock-in and clock-out system. Occasionally, it makes me mentally and physically tired, but it also allows me to tap into the same for more energy and dedication. How do I stay centered and rested? How do I prevent burnout after 30 years of daily diving, teaching, and being on the front line? I will address that tomorrow with Day 3, Question 3.
Cristina Zenato Instagram - How big is the size of your dreams? Dreams become reality when we put our minds to it, but they do not become true out of magic. For Dreams to come true we need to put in hard work and determination. In my words itā€™s called stubborn, šŸ˜‚ If I had not been ā€œdeterminedā€ I would have listened to those who tried to deter me, who tried to undermine and convince of the many reasons why my career choices were not the right ones, the good ones, and more specifically the inappropriate (read for a woman) ones. So show up with your dreams and roll your sleeves up, and when they say ā€œyou canā€™tā€ remember to answer ā€œwatch me!ā€ Image by @kewinlorenzen @slipinsurfskins
Cristina Zenato Instagram - Not all hook removals require a lot of work and effort! I wish all of them were this easy. A small J hook I could easily grab and twist out. It is not about the hook in itself, itā€™s about showing how as humans we have a negative presence that lingers out of site and out of mind and at the same time as each one of us can make a difference and create change. Video by @kewinlorenzen during our shark interactive experience with @isotta_underwater_housings Using @neptunic_com shark suit for protection while removing hooks.
Cristina Zenato Instagram - Why are these fish always swimming in front of these predators Aren't they going to get eaten? The answer is no, they are not. Should the shark enter a feeding mode towards a prey, the fish would swim out of the way, but when these fish swim in front of a predator, they receive protection in return for a bigger favor. These fish produce water movement and sound in the same range as other fish of the same size and shape, like jacks or tuna, which are possible prey for certain species of sharks. The movement and sound produced by the smaller fish mask the one made by the shark, allowing the predator to approach the potential prey. When the prey detects the predator, it might be too late to escape. Image by @kewinlorenzen during our trip exploring the sharks around The Bahamas. @isotta_underwater_housings
Cristina Zenato Instagram - If sharks stop swimming, they sink. All species are slightly negative in weight, which means they sink. Regular bony fish have a buoyancy system known as a swim bladder. Fish can regulate the amount of gas, usually oxygen, injected into the chamber through a combination of the circulatory system and other combined actions and deflate it when needed. That's why we can observe fish floating in stationary positions and are able to move back and forth, up and down, without swimming. Sharks compensate for their lack of a swimming bladder and tendency to sink with their livers. These contain large amounts of oil that is less dense than seawater and provide them with some buoyancy, yet not enough to keep them afloat. Some scientists believe that certain shark species, known as 'obligate ram ventilators' such as the great white, mako, and great hammerhead, have unique sleeping habits. These sharks may sleep with half their brain active, or position themselves to face ocean currents. Even while resting, their eyes remain open, and their pupils continue to monitor the motion of creatures swimming around them. Sharks that possess 'buccal pumping, a method of pumping water through their gills, are able to rest on the ocean floor, under coral heads, or on rock outcroppings, thanks to this unique adaptation. Video of Liz, Caribbean Reef shark, sinking into my lap as she stops swimming by @kewinlorenzen @isotta_underwater_housings @neptunic_com @waterproofinternational @diveshearwater
Cristina Zenato Instagram - If I could ever freeze a moment, itā€™s not about my first experience with the sharks, but every time one of my divers experiences them for the first time. The shark experience and course provide a unique ā€œshark yourselfā€ immersion. These encounters are truly unique, always and only conducted one-on-one. Youā€™ll be part of an exclusive experience with a group of Caribbean Reef sharks, wearing the correct protection and using techniques I have been using and adapted for the last 30 years. They allow the dream of coming in close contact with a shark to come true, to meet a special group of ladies (yes, they are all females) and interact with them in a way I would never encourage or allow in other settings, but these. These encounters are transformative. They change our perceptions of sharks, revealing their unique aspects, including individual personalities, preferences, and characters. They show us that one size does not fit all and create new ambassadors and voices to speak on behalf of the sharks. Itā€™s crucial to remember that we should not lump sharks under one word. Each species and individual within a species is uniquely different, and there will never be one answer to a generalized question. For more information about the shark experience and course, visit our website or contact us directly. We look forward to sharing this unique experience. Link in bio Video by @kewinlorenzen Student @ingrid.martinson from @owuss_ @isotta_underwater_housings @neptunic_com
Cristina Zenato Instagram - How about sailing around The Bahamas on a special trip , April 4-18, 2028 (14 nights - 13 days) for a super special TRIFECTA? Grand Bahama with our special shiver of Caribbean Reef sharks, Tiger Beach with Tigers and Lemons, Bimini with the incredible Great Hammerhead, to cruise through Nassau Blue Hole, into the Exumas and come back to Cat Island to complete our experience with Oceanic White Tip sharks. All in one trip, an incredible opportunity on the crossing of seasons, to encounter up to twelve different species of sharks and several rays. It is something we are going to offer only every few years; still to a total of six passengers. (Two spots already booked-four spots left) Adventure, education, experience. Regular dates for 2027 and 2028 also available! Must be a certified scuba diver. For more details message me at info@cristinazenato.com šŸ«¶ @kewinlorenzen and I are super excited!!!
Cristina Zenato Instagram - They say that a soulmate is a person with whom you have an immediate connection the moment you meet. January 31st, 2018, was a full, blue, supermoon night, and Kewin and I realized we had already created a deep, unbreakable bond. Since we met, a month prior, we immediately felt a sense of familiarity, belonging, and "meant to be", a connection so strong that we were drawn to each other in a way we had never experienced before. That night sealed the rest of our days together. I had never married before and never felt the need until one day in 2019 when Kewin asked me, and I said, "Yes." Well, first, I asked him, "Are you sure?" Marriage had never been in my books; I was already deeply bonded to my one and only love, the ocean. Not only did Kewin understand the bond, but he felt it for himself, and together, we found transformative power to grow emotionally, spiritually, and professionally. We approach life differently, and that complements each other. We live and work 24/7 together, yet we have distinct roles in what we do; they reflect our personalities and skills and enrich us. I always jokingly say that Kewin is the correct amount of ice to my fire, bringing peace, calmness, and happiness. As for the dress, it is one of the purchases we use for our underwater creative images. You can find out more about them at www.kewinlorenzen.com, link in bio. With @kewinlorenzen Leave it up to Instagram to remove the close captions after I put them in! šŸ˜’
Cristina Zenato Instagram - Day 5 Question 5 The Cost of Living the Dream Life is half a choice; we pick 50% of it and live it to the fullest, then perhaps pick the other 50%, but we cannot always have it all; it is not possible. Every choice has a price. We decide which price we are willing to pay and which not. There is no night or wrong; our choices come with consequences. Lo live my dream, there have been financial decisions to pursue passion and experiences rather than a stable and reliable income, living in an area subject to hurricanes, and the physical toll that being an active diver for thirty years has taken on my body. The steepest price I pay is different. I live 6000 miles away from my family. In the first 26 years of my career, which requires working while everyone else was on holiday, I went home for Christmas twice. I celebrated my dad's 80th birthday, the only one I will get to celebrate before he passed; I celebrated one Grandma's birthday and then she left us as well. Every time I said see you soon at the airport, I felt excruciating pain, divided between two loves, the one of my family and the one that is my calling. I thought that with time, it would get better; it doesn't. Now, with @kewinlorenzen in my life, it's double; we must say see you later to two families we love very much. Technology allows for daily check-ins, and we share videos and images, but we still celebrate milestones miles apart, unable to be together for most of them. Living on an island is like a dream to many, but it's living with the limitations of the island. Many people come and go; we make friends, and they leave. I have lost count of the friends I have made and the ones who have gone somewhere else. There are also the friends we lose to the nature of our business and line of work. These are the prices I paid for living the dream, a dream that has allowed me to make countless connections, meet amazing people, experience incredible places, and fulfill my calling, and I would not have it any other way, but it's a personal decision we each have to make and no one else can make for us. Be kind in the comments, not an easy subject to share.
Cristina Zenato Instagram - The Childhood Dream. There's something intangible and unknowable about our dreams. They can be considered elusive. Pursuing a passion is tough, especially when we are cautioned about the physical, but even more so social, financial, and amotional negative consequences if we keep seeking out our passion instead of a more stable situation. This cautionary advice often comes from well-meaning friends and family, who worry about our well-being and future stability. I had a childhood dream of being an underwater scuba ranger with sharks for friends, roaming the sea telling people what to do and not to do (and not having my mom tell me to get out of the water). With this image, I wanted to represent the child looking at her future self, the realization of a dream most deemed impossible and unattainable. I also wanted to celebrate the road that took to realize the dream, as it wasn't a straight, clear one but one of many winding passages, blocked ways, interrupted bridges, sprinkled with piles and piles of failures. It was the resilience in the face of these challenges that made the journey worthwhile. Childhood dreams are not just amazing, they are a source of joy and inspiration. We should follow, keep, and celebrate them. However, we should also understand that they do not materialize just because we want them to; they materialize because we make them happen. It's important to understand that achieving a childhood dream often requires sacrifices. These sacrifices are different for each one of us and we are the only one who should decide which price tag we are willing to pay, no one else. The video and final image are by the amazing @kewinlorenzen who understands and with whom I share the dream, the journey, and the sacrifices. With @isotta_underwater_housings @scubapro Dress outsourced at @hsgb_second_chance_shop in support of @humanesocietygrandbahama
Cristina Zenato Instagram - ā€œThe population of sharks has increased tremendously, and they are seriously reducing the fish populationsā€ - with a follow-up request to cull sharks to help the fish population. I am apprehensive about these statements provided by unqualified individuals that the news has picked up and shared on a larger scale; I am worried about how these statements reach me daily. I need to figure out where to start addressing this belief, which comes from the entirely human-centered, arrogant thought that everything belongs to us. Letā€™s start with ā€œincreased tremendously.ā€ How is that verified? In general, the people making these statements see more sharks around their boats; these boats are out there fishing. However, these sharks are not identified, verified, and counted correctly, so ten boats might see the same individuals in the same area, but it doesnā€™t mean there are that many more. Additionally, sharks include over 500 species, so seeing fins and bodies and saying that sharks have increased tremendously has no scientific value. We also forget that these sharks might be approaching more boats fishing. These boats provide an easy source of food and nutrients that belong to the sharks, and they might be scarce in the area because of overfishing or other environmental issues. Letā€™s get to the second part of the statement, ā€œseriously reducing the fish populations.ā€ I am fighting hard to keep my composure on that piece of garbage. As far as we know, sharks have been in the oceans for over 450 million years. While their predatory nature has evolved with them, they have kept the ocean in balance for much longer than we have. Humans, especially with the introduction of industrial fishing, are the reason the oceans are out of balance, fish stocks are reduced, and some ecosystems are on the verge of collapse. Thinking that removing sharks would bring back the balance so humans can have more fish is against any scientific study, understanding, and data that is available to promote more educated statements.
Cristina Zenato Instagram - Not only sharks: As a tech diving instructor, I specialize in cave diving and sidemount gear configuration in both open circuit and rebreather, and I spend a lot of my free time completing cave exploration. Unfortunately, in our society, we are pigeonholed into one role, title, action, and something we are identified with. For me, the struggle has been to show that despite my deep love for sharks and my work towards their conservation, I am also fully invested in other parts of diving, caves in particular, that conservation goes beyond saving sharks as we need to understand the complexity of ecosystems to produce an effective change in policies. Going days without seeing the sharks won't change who l am or how I feel about them. Combining these two unique fields has been of incredible value to the overall conservation picture. Image by @kewinlorenzen after our exploration dive in one of our newly discovered caves. Wearing dry suit from @waterproofinternational, @kissrebreathers Sidewinder sidemount rebreather, @fourthelementdive undergarments, @diveshearwater computers With @peopleofthewater
Cristina Zenato Instagram - It's sharks, sharks, and more sharks. It's also about exploring the Bahamas, enjoying the hideaway spots and the immeasurable beauty of the place, and discovering what's above and below the water. We promise a comprehensive experience of dives, exploration, education, and understanding. We love our encounters with sharks, but we want you to dive with us, see the different creatures in our waters, and experience the beauty of the land, the ocean blue holes, and the hidden gems of The Bahamas. Cruising around on our catamaran, we complete different itineraries during the high season of each shark species to guarantee unique encounters. It is all under the direct supervision of a highly experienced crew. I will provide presentations about sharks, oceans, conservation, and more. Bring home memories through the talent of Kewin Lorenzen, who captures videos and images of the experience above and below the water. We now have dates for 2027 and 2028 with our Shark Experience Bahamas, a 10-night-9-day trip through the Northern Bahamas (the Main species are Tigers, Great Hammerheads, Caribbean Reef, Lemon, Bull, and Nurse). Our 2027 memorable Cat Island trip (the Main species are Tigers, Lemon, Caribbean Reef, and Oceanic White tip) takes us sailing through the Exumas to experience some of the most incredible places. In 2028, we offer our unique Trifecta, a once-in-a-lifetime trip covering the northern and southern Bahamas, including the Exumas, and diving with all the main species in one trip, 14 nights -13 days (Tigers, Lemons, Caribbean Reef, Great Hammerheads, Nurses, Oceanic White Tip). Information available at www.cristinazenato.com Link in Bio or by sending a message directly to info@cristinazenato.com Videos by @kewinlorenzen and myself @isotta_underwater_housings @neptunic_com @waterproofinternational
Cristina Zenato - 10.4K Likes - OMG, HET IS GELUKT! šŸ’™šŸ¦ˆ Wat een ontzettend bijzondere en unieke ervaring om samen met @cristinazenato een vishaak uit de bek van deze Caribische rifhaai te verwijderenā€¦ Het was extra speciaal en bijzonder omdat de haai, een groot vrouwtje, zĆ©lf naar ons toe kwam voor hulp!! šŸ„¹ Ze bleef maar terugkomen terwijl wij keer op keer probeerden om die haak uit haar bek te halen. We hebben het misschien wel tien keer geprobeerd gedurende drie verschillende duiken, het is namelijk Ć©cht NIET makkelijk!! En na elke poging zwom ze een klein rondje en kwam vervolgens weer naar ons toe. Ze had makkelijk weg kunnen zwemmen, maar ze wist Ć©cht dat we haar probeerden te helpen!! En ze wilde dus Ć©cht door ons geholpen worden šŸ«¶šŸ¼šŸ’™ En vergeet niet, dit is (natuurlijk) een volledig wild dier, hoe bizar is dat? Haaien zijn ZOVEEL intelligenter dan veel mensen denken. En ik ben zo blij dat het uiteindelijk is gelukt!! Veel pogingen mislukten. Als laatste redmiddel heb ik de vishaak juist een stukje doorgeduwd, zodat een klein stukje uitstak aan de buitenkant van haar bek. Daar kon ik vervolgens een metalen ring aan vasthaken, en omdat de haai daarna met volle kracht probeerde los te komen, kwam daar zoveel kracht op te staan dat de haak in Ć©Ć©n keer uit haar bek schoot. Van die gore haak is ze in elk geval nu af. Laten we hopen dat ze geen nieuwe oploopt. En MEGA veel respect voor @cristinazenato en het geweldige werk dat ze doet. Wat een fantastische vrouw!! Ze vertelde trouwens ook dat wij de eerste filmploeg zijn die dit succesvol hebben weten te filmen, en ze heeft er echt heel veel op bezoek gehad de afgelopen 30 jaarā€¦ En dat is dan natuurlijk weer te danken aan cameraman Lange Ivo šŸ˜Ž @cameraivo Het was namelijk ALLESBEHALVE makkelijk (hij had natuurlijk ook zoā€™n zwaar chainmail pak aan)ā€¦. Eind goed al goedā€¦.. MISSIE GESLAAGD!!! āœ…šŸ„³ #voorjou #foryou #sharks #viral

10.4K Likes – Cristina Zenato Instagram

Caption : OMG, HET IS GELUKT! šŸ’™šŸ¦ˆ Wat een ontzettend bijzondere en unieke ervaring om samen met @cristinazenato een vishaak uit de bek van deze Caribische rifhaai te verwijderenā€¦ Het was extra speciaal en bijzonder omdat de haai, een groot vrouwtje, zĆ©lf naar ons toe kwam voor hulp!! šŸ„¹ Ze bleef maar terugkomen terwijl wij keer op keer probeerden om die haak uit haar bek te halen. We hebben het misschien wel tien keer geprobeerd gedurende drie verschillende duiken, het is namelijk Ć©cht NIET makkelijk!! En na elke poging zwom ze een klein rondje en kwam vervolgens weer naar ons toe. Ze had makkelijk weg kunnen zwemmen, maar ze wist Ć©cht dat we haar probeerden te helpen!! En ze wilde dus Ć©cht door ons geholpen worden šŸ«¶šŸ¼šŸ’™ En vergeet niet, dit is (natuurlijk) een volledig wild dier, hoe bizar is dat? Haaien zijn ZOVEEL intelligenter dan veel mensen denken. En ik ben zo blij dat het uiteindelijk is gelukt!! Veel pogingen mislukten. Als laatste redmiddel heb ik de vishaak juist een stukje doorgeduwd, zodat een klein stukje uitstak aan de buitenkant van haar bek. Daar kon ik vervolgens een metalen ring aan vasthaken, en omdat de haai daarna met volle kracht probeerde los te komen, kwam daar zoveel kracht op te staan dat de haak in Ć©Ć©n keer uit haar bek schoot. Van die gore haak is ze in elk geval nu af. Laten we hopen dat ze geen nieuwe oploopt. En MEGA veel respect voor @cristinazenato en het geweldige werk dat ze doet. Wat een fantastische vrouw!! Ze vertelde trouwens ook dat wij de eerste filmploeg zijn die dit succesvol hebben weten te filmen, en ze heeft er echt heel veel op bezoek gehad de afgelopen 30 jaarā€¦ En dat is dan natuurlijk weer te danken aan cameraman Lange Ivo šŸ˜Ž @cameraivo Het was namelijk ALLESBEHALVE makkelijk (hij had natuurlijk ook zoā€™n zwaar chainmail pak aan)ā€¦. Eind goed al goedā€¦.. MISSIE GESLAAGD!!! āœ…šŸ„³ #voorjou #foryou #sharks #viral
Likes : 10425Cristina Zenato - 5.7K Likes - Not one hook removal is like the other one; there are differences in where the hooks is lodged, how it pierce through the skin and which shark is carrying it. When Peggy showed up with three hooks in one place I went to work to remove the most prominent one and also the trickiest that prevents access to the other two. The hook had come through her cheek, showing both the point and the bard. I decide the best way to remove it was to rotate it more forward and slide the eyelet through the open wound. Being a new hook, the skin around the wound was still very tough and not infected, so after turning the hook, it took a couple of attempts to pull it out, but it finally gave in. No matter how many times I witness this behavior, it is always so amazing that the shark keeps coming back allowing me to try over and over again; of course they can only stay for a few seconds, as nature tells them to run away from pain, but there is for sure a thought process of coming back to let me try numerous times. Peggy is now completely hook free. While working on her, a new one, we have not yet named, but seen before, showed up with a double hook and after a few dives and attempts she is also hook free, but that's for another story. Video and support by the amazing @kewinlorenzen with @isotta_underwater_housings @neptunic_com @waterproofinternational @peopleofthewater

5.7K Likes – Cristina Zenato Instagram

Caption : Not one hook removal is like the other one; there are differences in where the hooks is lodged, how it pierce through the skin and which shark is carrying it. When Peggy showed up with three hooks in one place I went to work to remove the most prominent one and also the trickiest that prevents access to the other two. The hook had come through her cheek, showing both the point and the bard. I decide the best way to remove it was to rotate it more forward and slide the eyelet through the open wound. Being a new hook, the skin around the wound was still very tough and not infected, so after turning the hook, it took a couple of attempts to pull it out, but it finally gave in. No matter how many times I witness this behavior, it is always so amazing that the shark keeps coming back allowing me to try over and over again; of course they can only stay for a few seconds, as nature tells them to run away from pain, but there is for sure a thought process of coming back to let me try numerous times. Peggy is now completely hook free. While working on her, a new one, we have not yet named, but seen before, showed up with a double hook and after a few dives and attempts she is also hook free, but that’s for another story. Video and support by the amazing @kewinlorenzen with @isotta_underwater_housings @neptunic_com @waterproofinternational @peopleofthewater
Likes : 5669Cristina Zenato - 5.5K Likes - ā€œOne day you will end up all alone and miserable regretting your life choicesā€ - comment received several time over the years over my choice of being single and not having kids. I never planned for anything, nor I looked to fulfill a role that it was not designed for me. I went about my life, finding joy in the passion I had for the ocean, sharks, diving, teaching. I never lacked friends and company, and although alone I never felt lonely. Along the way, I entered and exited relationships that didnā€™t work for me (us) that didnā€™t fulfill, that requested a change I wasnā€™t ready for. I never looked for @kewinlorenzen but we happened and it was a perfect match from the beginning. I always joke I had to wait for him to grow older (we have a considerable age difference, but I know no one noticed šŸ˜‰) Late in life I found the right person, the right companion and life took a different turn. The ā€œwhat ifā€ went quickly out of the window, after all I learned that life is the day we live, the rest is just a surprise. Many worried on the ā€œwhat if he leaves you for a younger one.ā€ My thought was, if I only had one year to live, would I want to live it with him or would I want to not be with him because it was only one?ā€ The answer was very clear from the beginning. I will take what it brings, the rest we can only move on, evolve and learn from. Both times of my life were wonderful, perfect and allowed me to explore and be a part of myself. Today we celebrate six years together, happy anniversary my love. Image from our trip to Cocos Island. @fourthelementdive freediving suits

5.5K Likes – Cristina Zenato Instagram

Caption : ā€œOne day you will end up all alone and miserable regretting your life choicesā€ – comment received several time over the years over my choice of being single and not having kids. I never planned for anything, nor I looked to fulfill a role that it was not designed for me. I went about my life, finding joy in the passion I had for the ocean, sharks, diving, teaching. I never lacked friends and company, and although alone I never felt lonely. Along the way, I entered and exited relationships that didnā€™t work for me (us) that didnā€™t fulfill, that requested a change I wasnā€™t ready for. I never looked for @kewinlorenzen but we happened and it was a perfect match from the beginning. I always joke I had to wait for him to grow older (we have a considerable age difference, but I know no one noticed šŸ˜‰) Late in life I found the right person, the right companion and life took a different turn. The ā€œwhat ifā€ went quickly out of the window, after all I learned that life is the day we live, the rest is just a surprise. Many worried on the ā€œwhat if he leaves you for a younger one.ā€ My thought was, if I only had one year to live, would I want to live it with him or would I want to not be with him because it was only one?ā€ The answer was very clear from the beginning. I will take what it brings, the rest we can only move on, evolve and learn from. Both times of my life were wonderful, perfect and allowed me to explore and be a part of myself. Today we celebrate six years together, happy anniversary my love. Image from our trip to Cocos Island. @fourthelementdive freediving suits
Likes : 5508Cristina Zenato - 5.2K Likes - Instinctually we know that our energy affects the world around us. Nothing could be more valid than energy to work with sharks, diving and especially interacting with them. Not all the girls in the shiver allow us to pet them and keep them in our lap; it is a personal choice of a selected few, usually the ones I have established a relationship for a very long time, because trust is at the base of our interactions. During the shark interactive course with my shiver of Caribbean Reef sharks, there is a lot going on, sharks swimming around, the nurse shark intruding and pushing with his nose as the shark tries to relax, fish moving in and out, the energy of the student, eager to interact but still trying too hard and sometimes too intensely. I teach to read the shark, the response, to handle her gently until she relaxes by adjusting the touch, the depth of the stroke, the entire output of the student, still making sure that everything else is going well. Our energy is a key component in our interactions. To learn more about sharks and energy, you can join me for courses at www.cristinazenato.com Link in Bio. Video by @kewinlorenzen with @isotta_underwater_housings @neptunic_com @diveshearwater NOTE: Not all shark species need to swim in order to ventilate, many species like Caribbean Reef and Nurse have a secondary system called Buccal Pumping.

5.2K Likes – Cristina Zenato Instagram

Caption : Instinctually we know that our energy affects the world around us. Nothing could be more valid than energy to work with sharks, diving and especially interacting with them. Not all the girls in the shiver allow us to pet them and keep them in our lap; it is a personal choice of a selected few, usually the ones I have established a relationship for a very long time, because trust is at the base of our interactions. During the shark interactive course with my shiver of Caribbean Reef sharks, there is a lot going on, sharks swimming around, the nurse shark intruding and pushing with his nose as the shark tries to relax, fish moving in and out, the energy of the student, eager to interact but still trying too hard and sometimes too intensely. I teach to read the shark, the response, to handle her gently until she relaxes by adjusting the touch, the depth of the stroke, the entire output of the student, still making sure that everything else is going well. Our energy is a key component in our interactions. To learn more about sharks and energy, you can join me for courses at www.cristinazenato.com Link in Bio. Video by @kewinlorenzen with @isotta_underwater_housings @neptunic_com @diveshearwater NOTE: Not all shark species need to swim in order to ventilate, many species like Caribbean Reef and Nurse have a secondary system called Buccal Pumping.
Likes : 5225Cristina Zenato - 4.6K Likes - A man died in a cave two days ago; a man we knew, a friend, an industry leader, a family man with a wonderful wife, two children and a long life ahead of him. He was an accomplished and trained cave diver, an experienced rebreather diver, an instructor with thousands of hours under his belt. He grew up breathing scuba diving and technical diving. But he is no longer with us. When these incidents happen it is very easy to hear people saying that what we do is dangerous, pointless, that they would never do it, that we should never go. Instead, after we mourn and cry and speak to each other, we prep our gear and go cave diving, again. We go because it is a way to honor the friend we lost; we honor his passion, his dedication and we continue forward to respond to the same call that has us all going in there. It is the call of human nature to explore, to investigate, to discover, to understand. It is the call that has allowed us to move forward from a fire camp, to technology, to think about going to space, to travel to the depths of the ocean, to climb the highest of mountains. It is a call that might take its toll, but what would we be without that call, without that burning desire to go and push forward? Where would science and technology be if at the first failure we all had given up? Many wonā€™t understand, but those who have been at the edge of their comfort zone and pushed through the boundaries, have found the beginning of their world, their meaning, their passion, their truth. In loving memory of Jared Hires, may you rest in peace, we will see you on the other side, gear in hand.

4.6K Likes – Cristina Zenato Instagram

Caption : A man died in a cave two days ago; a man we knew, a friend, an industry leader, a family man with a wonderful wife, two children and a long life ahead of him. He was an accomplished and trained cave diver, an experienced rebreather diver, an instructor with thousands of hours under his belt. He grew up breathing scuba diving and technical diving. But he is no longer with us. When these incidents happen it is very easy to hear people saying that what we do is dangerous, pointless, that they would never do it, that we should never go. Instead, after we mourn and cry and speak to each other, we prep our gear and go cave diving, again. We go because it is a way to honor the friend we lost; we honor his passion, his dedication and we continue forward to respond to the same call that has us all going in there. It is the call of human nature to explore, to investigate, to discover, to understand. It is the call that has allowed us to move forward from a fire camp, to technology, to think about going to space, to travel to the depths of the ocean, to climb the highest of mountains. It is a call that might take its toll, but what would we be without that call, without that burning desire to go and push forward? Where would science and technology be if at the first failure we all had given up? Many wonā€™t understand, but those who have been at the edge of their comfort zone and pushed through the boundaries, have found the beginning of their world, their meaning, their passion, their truth. In loving memory of Jared Hires, may you rest in peace, we will see you on the other side, gear in hand.
Likes : 4635Cristina Zenato - 4.5K Likes - Imagine if each one of us completed one good action per day, every time they have a chance instead of thinking that our single action will not make a difference. Itā€™s much easier to sit back and justify our lack of action because of the lack of others acting or the negative status of something we want to change. We sit behind the ā€œremoving one hook wonā€™t stop shark finningā€ ā€œremoving one hooks wonā€™t save all the sharks in the worldā€ or ā€œit wonā€™t convince big fishing companies to stop their destructive practices.ā€ Yet removing one hook makes a difference for that shark and the next one and the one following; it inspires one person to change the way they feel about sharks, the way they live their lives and relate to first the sharks, then the ocean, it may show them the right direction to follow for more changes, inspire them to take others with them, transfer what they learned. These single actions, hooks, sharks and people become the ambassadors for many more. Individuals have inspired changes in the world with their actions; they didnā€™t despair that they were one, the went after their convictions and with determination created a movement. If I listened each time someone told me ā€œyou canā€™tā€ I wouldnā€™t be here; instead I replied ā€œwatch me.ā€ Video by @kewinlorenzen with @isotta_underwater_housings @neptunic_com

4.5K Likes – Cristina Zenato Instagram

Caption : Imagine if each one of us completed one good action per day, every time they have a chance instead of thinking that our single action will not make a difference. Itā€™s much easier to sit back and justify our lack of action because of the lack of others acting or the negative status of something we want to change. We sit behind the ā€œremoving one hook wonā€™t stop shark finningā€ ā€œremoving one hooks wonā€™t save all the sharks in the worldā€ or ā€œit wonā€™t convince big fishing companies to stop their destructive practices.ā€ Yet removing one hook makes a difference for that shark and the next one and the one following; it inspires one person to change the way they feel about sharks, the way they live their lives and relate to first the sharks, then the ocean, it may show them the right direction to follow for more changes, inspire them to take others with them, transfer what they learned. These single actions, hooks, sharks and people become the ambassadors for many more. Individuals have inspired changes in the world with their actions; they didnā€™t despair that they were one, the went after their convictions and with determination created a movement. If I listened each time someone told me ā€œyou canā€™tā€ I wouldnā€™t be here; instead I replied ā€œwatch me.ā€ Video by @kewinlorenzen with @isotta_underwater_housings @neptunic_com
Likes : 4535Cristina Zenato - 3.9K Likes - Entering the third stage in a womanā€™s life, under the general umbrella of menopause. Traditionally, this phase begins around 50; however, many women experience it younger, naturally and medically I want to talk about how some cultures associate menopause with aging and a tremendous sense of loss, as if entering this stage, the woman becomes less than a woman. This implies that the work of my womb should define me, and once that is no longer working, I, as an individual, lose my worth Provided that I elected not to have children, I find these thoughts damaging towards women and the broader roles that we play in life and society We need to challenge the negative cultural perceptions of aging that contribute to the shame and stigma around menopause While women are usually aware of hot flashes and period changes, many donā€™t know of other symptoms, including heart palpitations, UTI, anxiety, depression, irritability, mood swings, insomnia, difficulty concentrating, mental confusion, incontinence, osteoporotic symptoms & vasomotor symptoms One morning, I woke up at the bottom of a dark hole. I was sitting in it, feeling the worldā€™s weight on my shoulders, no explanations, no triggers, no warnings. Just a deep sense of sadness, as if life had been sucked out of my soul. No matter what I did or tried to think, it was a heaviness I could not lift, and it left me sad and confused. As it appeared so it disappeared Now imagine dealing with it while running a trip, or teaching a class. I still do it, as do many other women, but itā€™s not easy, and I wish I could share it without shame When I started to inquire about it, I felt undertreated, and my symptoms trivialized; directly told to ā€œsuck it up.ā€ When I asked questions, I heard, ā€œItā€™s different for each one of you; hence, we cannot study itā€ We need a more open conversation about all the aspects of what women go through, not being afraid to share the downs together with the ups. It starts among us, mentioning words that have for a long time whispered and hushed in the corner of a room as if it is something only a few have experienced and should be ashamed of. Reflection post

3.9K Likes – Cristina Zenato Instagram

Caption : Entering the third stage in a womanā€™s life, under the general umbrella of menopause. Traditionally, this phase begins around 50; however, many women experience it younger, naturally and medically I want to talk about how some cultures associate menopause with aging and a tremendous sense of loss, as if entering this stage, the woman becomes less than a woman. This implies that the work of my womb should define me, and once that is no longer working, I, as an individual, lose my worth Provided that I elected not to have children, I find these thoughts damaging towards women and the broader roles that we play in life and society We need to challenge the negative cultural perceptions of aging that contribute to the shame and stigma around menopause While women are usually aware of hot flashes and period changes, many donā€™t know of other symptoms, including heart palpitations, UTI, anxiety, depression, irritability, mood swings, insomnia, difficulty concentrating, mental confusion, incontinence, osteoporotic symptoms & vasomotor symptoms One morning, I woke up at the bottom of a dark hole. I was sitting in it, feeling the worldā€™s weight on my shoulders, no explanations, no triggers, no warnings. Just a deep sense of sadness, as if life had been sucked out of my soul. No matter what I did or tried to think, it was a heaviness I could not lift, and it left me sad and confused. As it appeared so it disappeared Now imagine dealing with it while running a trip, or teaching a class. I still do it, as do many other women, but itā€™s not easy, and I wish I could share it without shame When I started to inquire about it, I felt undertreated, and my symptoms trivialized; directly told to ā€œsuck it up.ā€ When I asked questions, I heard, ā€œItā€™s different for each one of you; hence, we cannot study itā€ We need a more open conversation about all the aspects of what women go through, not being afraid to share the downs together with the ups. It starts among us, mentioning words that have for a long time whispered and hushed in the corner of a room as if it is something only a few have experienced and should be ashamed of. Reflection post
Likes : 3928Cristina Zenato - 3.4K Likes - Let me introduce myself to all the new and old followers My name is Cristina Zenato, and I have a deep passion for the ocean. In 1994, following an opportunity and a series of choices, I decided to move to the Bahamas to learn how to scuba dive and work with sharks. I thought I would be there for a year or two, then go back to pursue a different career. We are now in year 31 of this journey, and I could not be happier with my choices and decisions. Many ask me how to do what I do. It is hard to give precise lines as some of the opportunities I had are no longer available. Meanwhile, different ones are opening up every day, and I wish I had them way back when. My love for sharks comes from my childhood; I have never been afraid of them, always fascinated, when I finally came in contact with them, I realized most people didn't share my views, especially thirty years ago, and so I embarked on a long journey of exploration of the true nature of the sharks became an ecologist and behaviorist, I started educating first the ones around me and then reaching out as far as I could to educate others about them and ultimately worked for their protection. Removing hooks became as natural as removing the thorn from my dog's paw; I love sharks and want their health and well-being. Today, I am still involved with diving with them, sharing their world with the divers who want to come and meet and understand them better, researching, educating, and following a passion that keeps growing. In my journey, I found a different love: caves, underground, and underwater passageways, but that's for another story. Learn more about my work at www.cristinazenato.com and my conservation work at www.pownonprofit.org With @neptunic_com @peopleofthewater @waterproofinternational @diveshearwater @scubapro @fourthelementdive @kewinlorenzen

3.4K Likes – Cristina Zenato Instagram

Caption : Let me introduce myself to all the new and old followers My name is Cristina Zenato, and I have a deep passion for the ocean. In 1994, following an opportunity and a series of choices, I decided to move to the Bahamas to learn how to scuba dive and work with sharks. I thought I would be there for a year or two, then go back to pursue a different career. We are now in year 31 of this journey, and I could not be happier with my choices and decisions. Many ask me how to do what I do. It is hard to give precise lines as some of the opportunities I had are no longer available. Meanwhile, different ones are opening up every day, and I wish I had them way back when. My love for sharks comes from my childhood; I have never been afraid of them, always fascinated, when I finally came in contact with them, I realized most people didn’t share my views, especially thirty years ago, and so I embarked on a long journey of exploration of the true nature of the sharks became an ecologist and behaviorist, I started educating first the ones around me and then reaching out as far as I could to educate others about them and ultimately worked for their protection. Removing hooks became as natural as removing the thorn from my dog’s paw; I love sharks and want their health and well-being. Today, I am still involved with diving with them, sharing their world with the divers who want to come and meet and understand them better, researching, educating, and following a passion that keeps growing. In my journey, I found a different love: caves, underground, and underwater passageways, but that’s for another story. Learn more about my work at www.cristinazenato.com and my conservation work at www.pownonprofit.org With @neptunic_com @peopleofthewater @waterproofinternational @diveshearwater @scubapro @fourthelementdive @kewinlorenzen
Likes : 3373Cristina Zenato - 3.1K Likes - It is tough to make people feel for an animal that has been so vilified and maligned through incorrect language use, myths, and hyped information, but in the end, removing hooks from sharks is an act of kindness I can complete thanks to my presence and the tools I have at my disposal like the chainsuit, so why not taking care of a small shiver of sharks I come in contact with daily? Isnā€™t kindness better than ignoring? Whatā€™s the difference between rescuing a dog on the side of the road and rescuing a shark in the ocean when I come in contact with both of them and have the power and means to help both? Our actions, no matter how small we feel they are, have consequences. At first, the hook removals were locals; they helped the sharks I came in contact with, but the message that sharks are vulnerable by our presence, our actions even when we do not see the consequences, goes beyond this shiver, and it has spread everywhere. We do not all need to remove hooks from sharks to help the ocean, sharks, and nature in general. There are so many different ways to do so from where we are, from donating to a nonprofit involved in shark conservation to changing the way we consume food, to reducing and reusing everything from clothes to plastics and other products, to voting to change legislation in our area that may help with shark and ocean conservation. Learn more about how to support our work through our nonprofit @peopleofthewater Videos by @kewinlorenzen with @isotta_underwater_housings First shark is Crook, second shark is Floppy. @neptunic_com shark suits @waterproofinternational @diveshearwater

3.1K Likes – Cristina Zenato Instagram

Caption : It is tough to make people feel for an animal that has been so vilified and maligned through incorrect language use, myths, and hyped information, but in the end, removing hooks from sharks is an act of kindness I can complete thanks to my presence and the tools I have at my disposal like the chainsuit, so why not taking care of a small shiver of sharks I come in contact with daily? Isnā€™t kindness better than ignoring? Whatā€™s the difference between rescuing a dog on the side of the road and rescuing a shark in the ocean when I come in contact with both of them and have the power and means to help both? Our actions, no matter how small we feel they are, have consequences. At first, the hook removals were locals; they helped the sharks I came in contact with, but the message that sharks are vulnerable by our presence, our actions even when we do not see the consequences, goes beyond this shiver, and it has spread everywhere. We do not all need to remove hooks from sharks to help the ocean, sharks, and nature in general. There are so many different ways to do so from where we are, from donating to a nonprofit involved in shark conservation to changing the way we consume food, to reducing and reusing everything from clothes to plastics and other products, to voting to change legislation in our area that may help with shark and ocean conservation. Learn more about how to support our work through our nonprofit @peopleofthewater Videos by @kewinlorenzen with @isotta_underwater_housings First shark is Crook, second shark is Floppy. @neptunic_com shark suits @waterproofinternational @diveshearwater
Likes : 3122Cristina Zenato - 3K Likes - These are some of the titles I have been given in the last three days, all by men, when they started to contest the concept of removing hooks from sharks with weak excuses such as ā€œsharks donā€™t feel pain,ā€ ā€œhooks rust,ā€ and ā€œyou donā€™t know what you are talking aboutā€ (with 30 years of experience of it). When I start to respond with facts and information, and they run out of arguments, they leave these derogatory labels. It is unfortunate that such a profound ignorance about sharks, conservation, pain, and empathy exists in our world; receiving such pushback on the act of relieving an animal of pain is sad and appalling. It shows the tragic state of affairs regarding conservation and the issues we still need to tackle through education. It shows a deep-rooted attitude of offending someone when the argument is not going in their direction. It culminates in verbal abuse. I have witnessed what these comments elicit in other women, and itā€™s a damaging trait of our society and, especially, of social media. Please do not post comments such as ā€œYou are on social media, what do you expect?ā€ it triggers memories of other blame-the-victim attitudes women receive. Social media should be a place of exchange and support and, if we donā€™t agree with something positive, of moving along. So I instead own these titles, because I deserve them šŸ˜‰: Queen, šŸ‘‘ Protector, Empathetic, Caring, Shark Moma, Determined šŸ™ā¤ļø

3K Likes – Cristina Zenato Instagram

Caption : These are some of the titles I have been given in the last three days, all by men, when they started to contest the concept of removing hooks from sharks with weak excuses such as ā€œsharks donā€™t feel pain,ā€ ā€œhooks rust,ā€ and ā€œyou donā€™t know what you are talking aboutā€ (with 30 years of experience of it). When I start to respond with facts and information, and they run out of arguments, they leave these derogatory labels. It is unfortunate that such a profound ignorance about sharks, conservation, pain, and empathy exists in our world; receiving such pushback on the act of relieving an animal of pain is sad and appalling. It shows the tragic state of affairs regarding conservation and the issues we still need to tackle through education. It shows a deep-rooted attitude of offending someone when the argument is not going in their direction. It culminates in verbal abuse. I have witnessed what these comments elicit in other women, and itā€™s a damaging trait of our society and, especially, of social media. Please do not post comments such as ā€œYou are on social media, what do you expect?ā€ it triggers memories of other blame-the-victim attitudes women receive. Social media should be a place of exchange and support and, if we donā€™t agree with something positive, of moving along. So I instead own these titles, because I deserve them šŸ˜‰: Queen, šŸ‘‘ Protector, Empathetic, Caring, Shark Moma, Determined šŸ™ā¤ļø
Likes : 2957Cristina Zenato - 2.7K Likes - ā€œMy Best Friend is an Animalā€ episode 5. The story of why I remove hooks, of how I connect and communicate with sharks and what my mission and my passion are All underwater filming by @kewinlorenzen Thank you @bigwavetv and @lovenature for the opportunity to share my story. #mybestfriendsananimal For how to view it in your country click the link in bio! @isotta_underwater_housings @neptunic_com @scubapro @waterproofinternational @fourthelementdive

2.7K Likes – Cristina Zenato Instagram

Caption : ā€œMy Best Friend is an Animalā€ episode 5. The story of why I remove hooks, of how I connect and communicate with sharks and what my mission and my passion are All underwater filming by @kewinlorenzen Thank you @bigwavetv and @lovenature for the opportunity to share my story. #mybestfriendsananimal For how to view it in your country click the link in bio! @isotta_underwater_housings @neptunic_com @scubapro @waterproofinternational @fourthelementdive
Likes : 2743Cristina Zenato - 2.7K Likes - "One small action is better than no big action" - Me When we feel that being one does not matter, that we cannot make a difference because we might be alone, too young, too old, too something else, we must think that each action, no matter how small, has a repercussion, like a stone cast in the water creating ripples effect. At times, we do not realize the reach of our actions, words, or examples, and it's incredible to find out how far they might have gone. The fact is that we might only touch a certain number of individuals, but each one of them owns the power of one and is capable of transferring the message to the next and the next in an expanding wave. When we put our energy, positivity, and connection, we make a difference; all we need to do is start. I am deeply grateful for the support of each and every one of you. Your encouragement and comments are a constant source of inspiration, fueling my determination to continue on this journey.

2.7K Likes – Cristina Zenato Instagram

Caption : “One small action is better than no big action” – Me When we feel that being one does not matter, that we cannot make a difference because we might be alone, too young, too old, too something else, we must think that each action, no matter how small, has a repercussion, like a stone cast in the water creating ripples effect. At times, we do not realize the reach of our actions, words, or examples, and it’s incredible to find out how far they might have gone. The fact is that we might only touch a certain number of individuals, but each one of them owns the power of one and is capable of transferring the message to the next and the next in an expanding wave. When we put our energy, positivity, and connection, we make a difference; all we need to do is start. I am deeply grateful for the support of each and every one of you. Your encouragement and comments are a constant source of inspiration, fueling my determination to continue on this journey.
Likes : 2665Cristina Zenato - 2.5K Likes - Day 10 Question 10 It was only fitting to end the series of ten questions over ten days with the other most asked question about sharks: how to help them. I removed this red snapper rig from Liz on Sunday. I had not seen Liz for a while. When she showed up, she was beaten up, cut and shredded, and emaciated. Luckily, I was able to remove it in one attempt, and Liz is already doing better. Removing hooks from sharks is only sometimes possible, and itā€™s not something we should try to do every time we see one with them; I sure donā€™t. Below are a few ideas to help sharks, including preventing hooks. We need to learn how and where sharks, their meat, and their derivatives are used, from food to cosmetics. It is not only shark fin soup; once we start searching, the amount of sharks present in products is staggering. Educate ourselves and others on their plight and understand what is affecting them, from habitat destruction to pollution caused by plastic, nets, chemicals, sound, light, and heat. We need to learn about the different sharks, ecosystems, and the food supply they use. Once we understand that, we can learn how our lifestyle, although it appears remote from sharks, affects them and how we can improve it. This brings me to a very easy one: reduce and reuse (Iā€™m not a big fan of recycling for the sake of putting something in a bag that someone takes away and ā€œrecycles.ā€ It is not adequate; it is a smoke screen to make us feel good when we keep a single-use lifestyle) Start with one positive change; it doesnā€™t have to be big, but it has to be consistent. Once that one change is integrated into our lives, we can move to a second one. We will never eliminate our carbon footprint completely, but we can mitigate it. If still eating fish, use a better understanding to outsource it, like http://seafoodwatch.org.There is even an app. Last but not least, look into our own backyard instead of the ones of our neighbors and work on local legislation, where we have the power to voice our opinions and vote to change how sharks are perhaps fished, used, and controlled. One small action is better than no big action. Video by @kewinlorenzen

2.5K Likes – Cristina Zenato Instagram

Caption : Day 10 Question 10 It was only fitting to end the series of ten questions over ten days with the other most asked question about sharks: how to help them. I removed this red snapper rig from Liz on Sunday. I had not seen Liz for a while. When she showed up, she was beaten up, cut and shredded, and emaciated. Luckily, I was able to remove it in one attempt, and Liz is already doing better. Removing hooks from sharks is only sometimes possible, and itā€™s not something we should try to do every time we see one with them; I sure donā€™t. Below are a few ideas to help sharks, including preventing hooks. We need to learn how and where sharks, their meat, and their derivatives are used, from food to cosmetics. It is not only shark fin soup; once we start searching, the amount of sharks present in products is staggering. Educate ourselves and others on their plight and understand what is affecting them, from habitat destruction to pollution caused by plastic, nets, chemicals, sound, light, and heat. We need to learn about the different sharks, ecosystems, and the food supply they use. Once we understand that, we can learn how our lifestyle, although it appears remote from sharks, affects them and how we can improve it. This brings me to a very easy one: reduce and reuse (Iā€™m not a big fan of recycling for the sake of putting something in a bag that someone takes away and ā€œrecycles.ā€ It is not adequate; it is a smoke screen to make us feel good when we keep a single-use lifestyle) Start with one positive change; it doesnā€™t have to be big, but it has to be consistent. Once that one change is integrated into our lives, we can move to a second one. We will never eliminate our carbon footprint completely, but we can mitigate it. If still eating fish, use a better understanding to outsource it, like http://seafoodwatch.org.There is even an app. Last but not least, look into our own backyard instead of the ones of our neighbors and work on local legislation, where we have the power to voice our opinions and vote to change how sharks are perhaps fished, used, and controlled. One small action is better than no big action. Video by @kewinlorenzen
Likes : 2537Cristina Zenato - 2.2K Likes - No act of kindness is too small. The gift of kindness may start as a small ripple that, over time, can turn into a tidal wave affecting the lives of many. K Heath Complaining about an act of kindness because we do not understand it or because it may feel too small or insignificant won't change the world; instead of worrying about what could be done bigger and better, we should start doing what we can with what we have. I keep revisiting the concept of the seastar thrower, the idea of the power of one, and our capability as individuals to start the change we want to see in the world. Removing hooks from sharks, picking up garbage washed ashore while walking the pups, and changing our ways with small actions every day will never be too small. Instead of focusing on what we cannot do, we should focus on what we can do. Our actions are like stones cast in the water, creating a ripple effect. If many do it simultaneously, the tidal wave will follow.

2.2K Likes – Cristina Zenato Instagram

Caption : No act of kindness is too small. The gift of kindness may start as a small ripple that, over time, can turn into a tidal wave affecting the lives of many. K Heath Complaining about an act of kindness because we do not understand it or because it may feel too small or insignificant won’t change the world; instead of worrying about what could be done bigger and better, we should start doing what we can with what we have. I keep revisiting the concept of the seastar thrower, the idea of the power of one, and our capability as individuals to start the change we want to see in the world. Removing hooks from sharks, picking up garbage washed ashore while walking the pups, and changing our ways with small actions every day will never be too small. Instead of focusing on what we cannot do, we should focus on what we can do. Our actions are like stones cast in the water, creating a ripple effect. If many do it simultaneously, the tidal wave will follow.
Likes : 2243Cristina Zenato - 2.2K Likes - šŸŖ I remove hooks from the sharks I know and interact with. Itā€™s an act of love the same way I remove a thorn out of my dogā€™s paw. It may not mean much to the world, but it means the world to that shark. It might be the chance to heal the wound, eat again, and avoid further damage and discomfort. And for me, that is enough. šŸŒ¹Little did I know that when I started removing hooks, people would start understanding the damage we could cause to sharks and trying to find ways to save them (which, by the way, does not require removing hooks; there are better and bigger actions to protect sharks, but I will leave that to another post). šŸ™Œ As one person, I have removed over 380 hooks; it may not save all the sharks in the world, but it has made a difference. That is the power of one. Remember: If I look at the mass, I will never act; if I look at the one, I will. Images @kewinlorenzen from archive. With the immense support of @neptunic_com shark suits @waterproofinternational

2.2K Likes – Cristina Zenato Instagram

Caption : šŸŖ I remove hooks from the sharks I know and interact with. Itā€™s an act of love the same way I remove a thorn out of my dogā€™s paw. It may not mean much to the world, but it means the world to that shark. It might be the chance to heal the wound, eat again, and avoid further damage and discomfort. And for me, that is enough. šŸŒ¹Little did I know that when I started removing hooks, people would start understanding the damage we could cause to sharks and trying to find ways to save them (which, by the way, does not require removing hooks; there are better and bigger actions to protect sharks, but I will leave that to another post). šŸ™Œ As one person, I have removed over 380 hooks; it may not save all the sharks in the world, but it has made a difference. That is the power of one. Remember: If I look at the mass, I will never act; if I look at the one, I will. Images @kewinlorenzen from archive. With the immense support of @neptunic_com shark suits @waterproofinternational
Likes : 2185Cristina Zenato - 2.1K Likes - ā€œDonā€™t see the point of removing them if they fall naturally/dissolveā€ is one of the most recent comments in the video of me removing hooks from sharks. Here are a few thoughts we should consider before expressing our complete lack of expertise and showing an equal lack of empathy: 1.Hooks donā€™t rust as easily as people make us believe. Videos of people putting hooks in salt water and then taking them out of the water to show the rusting effect fail to explain the oxidation process caused by the oxygen in the air. And even if some hooks eventually rust, they will take a long time. We had a tiger shark who had a hook in her mouth for eight years before it started to deteriorate. 2. Many hooks are made of stainless steel; they do not rust. Period 3. I have seen sharks with hooks slamming into the sand, trying to dislodge them over and over again (see video). I watched them taking off as fast as they could, twitching their fins, and becoming infected in the areas where the hooks were lodged and where the trail lines were rubbing. I see the discomfort left behind by hooks daily. 4. Sharks feel pain. It might not be a pain as we define it, but they feel the disturbance of these hooks, lines, and infections. 5. Empathy and action can make a significant difference. If we can help another being feel better, why not? Thereā€™s nothing negative about trying to help a different species affected by our actions. Empathy is a fundamental part of being human. I have the tools (chainsuit), the knowledge, and the capability to help sharks. It may not help all the sharks in the world, but the 360 hooks removed to date are a testament to this. 6. These sharks and the hooks I removed are ambassadors for many other sharks. By sharing their stories, we can inspire others to change their ways and mitigate their impact on the ocean. Each one of us has the power to advocate for change. Video by @kewinlorenzen with @isotta_underwater_housings @neptunic_com @waterproofinternational @diveshearwater @scubapro

2.1K Likes – Cristina Zenato Instagram

Caption : ā€œDonā€™t see the point of removing them if they fall naturally/dissolveā€ is one of the most recent comments in the video of me removing hooks from sharks. Here are a few thoughts we should consider before expressing our complete lack of expertise and showing an equal lack of empathy: 1.Hooks donā€™t rust as easily as people make us believe. Videos of people putting hooks in salt water and then taking them out of the water to show the rusting effect fail to explain the oxidation process caused by the oxygen in the air. And even if some hooks eventually rust, they will take a long time. We had a tiger shark who had a hook in her mouth for eight years before it started to deteriorate. 2. Many hooks are made of stainless steel; they do not rust. Period 3. I have seen sharks with hooks slamming into the sand, trying to dislodge them over and over again (see video). I watched them taking off as fast as they could, twitching their fins, and becoming infected in the areas where the hooks were lodged and where the trail lines were rubbing. I see the discomfort left behind by hooks daily. 4. Sharks feel pain. It might not be a pain as we define it, but they feel the disturbance of these hooks, lines, and infections. 5. Empathy and action can make a significant difference. If we can help another being feel better, why not? Thereā€™s nothing negative about trying to help a different species affected by our actions. Empathy is a fundamental part of being human. I have the tools (chainsuit), the knowledge, and the capability to help sharks. It may not help all the sharks in the world, but the 360 hooks removed to date are a testament to this. 6. These sharks and the hooks I removed are ambassadors for many other sharks. By sharing their stories, we can inspire others to change their ways and mitigate their impact on the ocean. Each one of us has the power to advocate for change. Video by @kewinlorenzen with @isotta_underwater_housings @neptunic_com @waterproofinternational @diveshearwater @scubapro
Likes : 2129Cristina Zenato - 2.1K Likes - Reflections from the deck. I have recenly posted about being authentic and refusing to use filters on social media. There were so many beautiful, supportive comments and couple of not so nice. I am not affected by them but they brought up a few thoughts about the way people are acting and interacting on these platforms. The comments can be from wrinkles on my face, to the size of my arms, none of which affects me anymore. I stare at them from a distance; I feel for those who utter those words and know that they are projecting their personal hurt onto others. It makes me worry how these comments could affect someone else, make them feel less than. What if the receiving end is a young mind, someone already overwhelmed by the staggering amount of fake, filtered, even AI created lives, which elevate expectations to a perfection that is not real and as such unattainable? I responded that ā€œSpreading kindness is better than using the power to connect trying to hurt someone; my skin tells the story of a beautiful and fully lived life, each line the memory of something special. Next time you are on the keyboard, think how you can support someone instead of trying to tear them down.ā€ Then my thoughts went further. Aging is a privilege, it is a gift many have not been granted. I lost my best friend when we were 29 years old. My friend, and many others in my life have not had this opportunity to grow gray hair, sport soft skin, show wrinkly smiles and experience loss of hearing (yes that too šŸ˜‚) Aging is not something we should stop, slow down or even attempt to reverse, aging is the gift living is giving us. It goes beyond the filters of an artificial world and enters the realms of what we have been fed forever and ever, in terms of how we are supposed to look, how we are supposed to slow down and reduce a natural process, how if we do not do it we are letting ourselves go. So if there is something we can do when we are out there, when we are being bombarded by information and at times negativity is to remain true to ourselves and when in doubt spread some kindness, it comes cheap and easy to distribute.. Image @kewinlorenzen

2.1K Likes – Cristina Zenato Instagram

Caption : Reflections from the deck. I have recenly posted about being authentic and refusing to use filters on social media. There were so many beautiful, supportive comments and couple of not so nice. I am not affected by them but they brought up a few thoughts about the way people are acting and interacting on these platforms. The comments can be from wrinkles on my face, to the size of my arms, none of which affects me anymore. I stare at them from a distance; I feel for those who utter those words and know that they are projecting their personal hurt onto others. It makes me worry how these comments could affect someone else, make them feel less than. What if the receiving end is a young mind, someone already overwhelmed by the staggering amount of fake, filtered, even AI created lives, which elevate expectations to a perfection that is not real and as such unattainable? I responded that ā€œSpreading kindness is better than using the power to connect trying to hurt someone; my skin tells the story of a beautiful and fully lived life, each line the memory of something special. Next time you are on the keyboard, think how you can support someone instead of trying to tear them down.ā€ Then my thoughts went further. Aging is a privilege, it is a gift many have not been granted. I lost my best friend when we were 29 years old. My friend, and many others in my life have not had this opportunity to grow gray hair, sport soft skin, show wrinkly smiles and experience loss of hearing (yes that too šŸ˜‚) Aging is not something we should stop, slow down or even attempt to reverse, aging is the gift living is giving us. It goes beyond the filters of an artificial world and enters the realms of what we have been fed forever and ever, in terms of how we are supposed to look, how we are supposed to slow down and reduce a natural process, how if we do not do it we are letting ourselves go. So if there is something we can do when we are out there, when we are being bombarded by information and at times negativity is to remain true to ourselves and when in doubt spread some kindness, it comes cheap and easy to distribute.. Image @kewinlorenzen
Likes : 2126Cristina Zenato - 2K Likes - Nurse sharks are ā€œdocileā€ NO! šŸ‘‡Please read below to understand better sharks and their natural behavior. It is common to hear sharks labeled as more aggressive or docile, especially nurse sharks. The definition of docile is ready to accept control or instruction; submissive. Neither of those descriptions is correct for a nurse shark or any other shark. The nurse sharkā€™s nature is different from that of tiger sharks or great hammerheads, as much as it differs from whale and basking sharks; these last two species are occasionally referred to as docile. These animals have specific lives and feedings that might make them less intense when encountering them in the ocean. However, it is a colossal mistake to consider them as possible to control and be submissive. As a matter of perfect example of these misinterpretations, nurse sharks are responsible for quite a large number of bites on humans because of the carelessness of the humans in interacting with them, including divers or snorkelers pulling on their tails while they are resting under a coral head. No animal is aggressive or docile; they present different behaviors based on how they live, feed, and hunt and other variables, from weather to visibility and temperature. Nurse sharks deserve as much attention and respect as the bigger sharks. With my work, I attempt to educate that ā€œone size does not fit all,ā€ that species are different, and that within the species, individuals are unique. Itā€™s time we speak about sharks from their point of view and not from our human interpretation (anthropomorphism is the attribution of human characteristics or behavior to an animal or even object.) Image by me of two nurse sharks resting on the ocean floor during our recent liveaboard trip around the Northern Bahamas to learn about sharks, behaviors, and how to be in the water with them safely. @isotta_underwater_housings @waterproofinternational @scubapro @fourthelementdive

2K Likes – Cristina Zenato Instagram

Caption : Nurse sharks are ā€œdocileā€ NO! šŸ‘‡Please read below to understand better sharks and their natural behavior. It is common to hear sharks labeled as more aggressive or docile, especially nurse sharks. The definition of docile is ready to accept control or instruction; submissive. Neither of those descriptions is correct for a nurse shark or any other shark. The nurse sharkā€™s nature is different from that of tiger sharks or great hammerheads, as much as it differs from whale and basking sharks; these last two species are occasionally referred to as docile. These animals have specific lives and feedings that might make them less intense when encountering them in the ocean. However, it is a colossal mistake to consider them as possible to control and be submissive. As a matter of perfect example of these misinterpretations, nurse sharks are responsible for quite a large number of bites on humans because of the carelessness of the humans in interacting with them, including divers or snorkelers pulling on their tails while they are resting under a coral head. No animal is aggressive or docile; they present different behaviors based on how they live, feed, and hunt and other variables, from weather to visibility and temperature. Nurse sharks deserve as much attention and respect as the bigger sharks. With my work, I attempt to educate that ā€œone size does not fit all,ā€ that species are different, and that within the species, individuals are unique. Itā€™s time we speak about sharks from their point of view and not from our human interpretation (anthropomorphism is the attribution of human characteristics or behavior to an animal or even object.) Image by me of two nurse sharks resting on the ocean floor during our recent liveaboard trip around the Northern Bahamas to learn about sharks, behaviors, and how to be in the water with them safely. @isotta_underwater_housings @waterproofinternational @scubapro @fourthelementdive
Likes : 1982Cristina Zenato - 1.9K Likes - Sometimes I fell I am a broken record in saying the same things over and over again but I also notice from comments and questions that repetition is the way to create change. Here are a few words we should consider eliminating from our vocabulary when talking about sharks: Shark infested waters; this trend is on the lower side and it makes me happy. Sharks donā€™t infest, they live in the ocean, even close to shore, still their world. Attack: I receive a lot of heat about this one, but a biting shark is feeding not attacking Lurking, patrolling: they donā€™t do any of that, they swim in their world Menacing, aggressive, vicious: letā€™s remove human emotional interpretations from the analysis of an animal behavior. Image of a juvenile tiger shark by @kewinlorenzen during our educational liveaboard trip around The Bahamas to discover and learn more about sharks. @isotta_underwater_housings

1.9K Likes – Cristina Zenato Instagram

Caption : Sometimes I fell I am a broken record in saying the same things over and over again but I also notice from comments and questions that repetition is the way to create change. Here are a few words we should consider eliminating from our vocabulary when talking about sharks: Shark infested waters; this trend is on the lower side and it makes me happy. Sharks donā€™t infest, they live in the ocean, even close to shore, still their world. Attack: I receive a lot of heat about this one, but a biting shark is feeding not attacking Lurking, patrolling: they donā€™t do any of that, they swim in their world Menacing, aggressive, vicious: letā€™s remove human emotional interpretations from the analysis of an animal behavior. Image of a juvenile tiger shark by @kewinlorenzen during our educational liveaboard trip around The Bahamas to discover and learn more about sharks. @isotta_underwater_housings
Likes : 1874Cristina Zenato - 1.8K Likes - Itā€™s time to say goodbye. I have waited for several months, but the truth is that I knew her time had come from the first few times she stopped showing up for the dive. Grandma had been at the dive site for nearly 14 years, but considering Caribbean Reef sharks live an average of 15-19 years and only show up once they are young adults, I knew her time was coming. Grandma had started to show the signs of aging, something I have seen way too many times. She was thin, with a gaunt look that one acquires towards the end of life. She was no longer interested in coming in and started to skip some days. Grandma is gone, but I still look into the blurred blue, hoping to see her swimming through. My relationship with them is a unique one. Itā€™s one of love and hope and worry. Itā€™s one of never closure because I never really know. Itā€™s one that leaves a piece of my soul empty every time one goes and never comes back. Image of Grandma, named after her light skin color, as gray as the hair of a grandma, and her very calm predisposition. Grandma had a blemish in her left eye and Periodontitis. @isotta_underwater_housings

1.8K Likes – Cristina Zenato Instagram

Caption : Itā€™s time to say goodbye. I have waited for several months, but the truth is that I knew her time had come from the first few times she stopped showing up for the dive. Grandma had been at the dive site for nearly 14 years, but considering Caribbean Reef sharks live an average of 15-19 years and only show up once they are young adults, I knew her time was coming. Grandma had started to show the signs of aging, something I have seen way too many times. She was thin, with a gaunt look that one acquires towards the end of life. She was no longer interested in coming in and started to skip some days. Grandma is gone, but I still look into the blurred blue, hoping to see her swimming through. My relationship with them is a unique one. Itā€™s one of love and hope and worry. Itā€™s one of never closure because I never really know. Itā€™s one that leaves a piece of my soul empty every time one goes and never comes back. Image of Grandma, named after her light skin color, as gray as the hair of a grandma, and her very calm predisposition. Grandma had a blemish in her left eye and Periodontitis. @isotta_underwater_housings
Likes : 1829Cristina Zenato - 1.8K Likes - Who manages my social media? I do; I manage every channel, every image, post, and writing. People who get a chance to observe my life behind the scenes often suggest seeking help, especially with social media posts and replies, handling messages, and requests. There is a trend to hire an intern and allow them to manage the day-to-day social media platforms to allow more time for managing the business. I complete all these tasks myself because I believe in sharing a valuable message, and to be my message, it has to come from me. How can someone, most likely younger, without the same experience, post the sentiment I want to share using the correct words when they havenā€™t been through what I have and havenā€™t walked the same road? Itā€™s not that they are not good, but they are not me, and they will not be able to catch what I want to share in that moment. My posts are inspired by comments, interactions, and experiences with students, guests, and on social media. I process the words, reflect on the emotions they stir, and communicate the outcome. Do I miss some trends and opportunities for better exposure or following? Most likely, yes, my social media is paired with me, my age, and my abilities to keep following or deciding not to follow some trends, but when someone comes on my posts, they find me uniquely, and they will always deal with direct interaction.

1.8K Likes – Cristina Zenato Instagram

Caption : Who manages my social media? I do; I manage every channel, every image, post, and writing. People who get a chance to observe my life behind the scenes often suggest seeking help, especially with social media posts and replies, handling messages, and requests. There is a trend to hire an intern and allow them to manage the day-to-day social media platforms to allow more time for managing the business. I complete all these tasks myself because I believe in sharing a valuable message, and to be my message, it has to come from me. How can someone, most likely younger, without the same experience, post the sentiment I want to share using the correct words when they havenā€™t been through what I have and havenā€™t walked the same road? Itā€™s not that they are not good, but they are not me, and they will not be able to catch what I want to share in that moment. My posts are inspired by comments, interactions, and experiences with students, guests, and on social media. I process the words, reflect on the emotions they stir, and communicate the outcome. Do I miss some trends and opportunities for better exposure or following? Most likely, yes, my social media is paired with me, my age, and my abilities to keep following or deciding not to follow some trends, but when someone comes on my posts, they find me uniquely, and they will always deal with direct interaction.
Likes : 1829Cristina Zenato - 1.8K Likes - I am banging my head against a rubber wall! Thatā€™s how I feel today. A rubber wall, because in a concrete wall, I might be able to make a dent, but against a rubber wall, my head bounces back, and the wall remains intact, while I get a major headache. Why? Very simple: there is nothing like the word shark for people to jump on the train of fear, closed mind, and unacceptance of the reality of them, coming back with comments about the viciousness and the mean demeanor of these animals, comparing them to this or that, without any personal in water experience, yet being such excellent keyboard experts in all that is sharks. Repeating the same cliches, the same sentence, clinging to beliefs that cannot and will never be changed, trying to convince me, on my profile, in my line of work, with 30 years of experience, that what they read on the internet has of course much more value than any life long experience. Part of my work is in education, and my mission is to help people transform fear into fascination or at least respect. I have decided to share this state of mind because if you, too, are involved in shark conservation and education, you might hit these walls, and itā€™s okay to feel this way. It doesnā€™t mean I will stop or give up; that is not an option; at the same time, itā€™s okay to share a state of mind that is not always positive and to show that feeling this way is part of the journey. If knowledge is water and different materials absorb water (knowledge) differently, letā€™s say today I came across an ocean of plastic! I kindly ask that you refrain from comments of the kind: ā€œDeal with it,ā€ ā€œYou are on the internet, what do you expect?ā€ or ā€œIgnore them.ā€ Thank you for coming along with me on this journey!

1.8K Likes – Cristina Zenato Instagram

Caption : I am banging my head against a rubber wall! Thatā€™s how I feel today. A rubber wall, because in a concrete wall, I might be able to make a dent, but against a rubber wall, my head bounces back, and the wall remains intact, while I get a major headache. Why? Very simple: there is nothing like the word shark for people to jump on the train of fear, closed mind, and unacceptance of the reality of them, coming back with comments about the viciousness and the mean demeanor of these animals, comparing them to this or that, without any personal in water experience, yet being such excellent keyboard experts in all that is sharks. Repeating the same cliches, the same sentence, clinging to beliefs that cannot and will never be changed, trying to convince me, on my profile, in my line of work, with 30 years of experience, that what they read on the internet has of course much more value than any life long experience. Part of my work is in education, and my mission is to help people transform fear into fascination or at least respect. I have decided to share this state of mind because if you, too, are involved in shark conservation and education, you might hit these walls, and itā€™s okay to feel this way. It doesnā€™t mean I will stop or give up; that is not an option; at the same time, itā€™s okay to share a state of mind that is not always positive and to show that feeling this way is part of the journey. If knowledge is water and different materials absorb water (knowledge) differently, letā€™s say today I came across an ocean of plastic! I kindly ask that you refrain from comments of the kind: ā€œDeal with it,ā€ ā€œYou are on the internet, what do you expect?ā€ or ā€œIgnore them.ā€ Thank you for coming along with me on this journey!
Likes : 1772Cristina Zenato - 1.7K Likes - Day 1 Question 1 A career path like no other! In 1994, through a series of coincidences and choices, I landed in the Bahamas to complete scuba diving training, a dream since I was eight. Once here, I decided I didnā€™t want to go back. I was drawn to the island by the beauty of the ocean, the sharks I had met on my first dive and the lifestyle. I stayed because my heart found home, and my soul found happiness and peace. My background is in hotel management and languages, art, history, & literature. It has nothing to do with STEM; I grew up with the notion that women were not allowed in STEM and other more male-oriented jobs like engineering. I followed my other childhood dream: speaking all the languages of the world. I stopped at 5, but those languages & my hotel expertise allowed me to find a job to stay. In a week, I quit work, boyfriend, car. I was 22 years old & started from the bottom up. I tried to learn everything in my field, vertically by becoming a more advanced and trained diver & laterally by learning everything from regulator repair to photography, driving boats, & creating moorings. I read books about physics, physiology, & geology I used the little money I made to travel and learn from people working in the fields I was interested in. I kept informed with anything I could put my hands on, living on an island without computers and the internet. I found terrific mentors and tried to soak up as much as possible. Later, I turned back to the studies I never had access to, and thatā€™s how I became a shark ecologist and behaviorist. Arriving where I am now took thirty years of daily work and dedication, overcoming significant challenges, and sticking to listening to my heart My work is my passion, and my passion is my work; there is no distinct line. By trade, I am a diving professional, and by calling a scientist. Loving something makes us want to protect it. It didnā€™t take much to see that sharks, ocean, caves, and even the pine forest were intrinsically connected and that damaging one would affect the other. Conservation is my lifestyle, not once a day action, but thatā€™s for another post. Archive image 1997

1.7K Likes – Cristina Zenato Instagram

Caption : Day 1 Question 1 A career path like no other! In 1994, through a series of coincidences and choices, I landed in the Bahamas to complete scuba diving training, a dream since I was eight. Once here, I decided I didnā€™t want to go back. I was drawn to the island by the beauty of the ocean, the sharks I had met on my first dive and the lifestyle. I stayed because my heart found home, and my soul found happiness and peace. My background is in hotel management and languages, art, history, & literature. It has nothing to do with STEM; I grew up with the notion that women were not allowed in STEM and other more male-oriented jobs like engineering. I followed my other childhood dream: speaking all the languages of the world. I stopped at 5, but those languages & my hotel expertise allowed me to find a job to stay. In a week, I quit work, boyfriend, car. I was 22 years old & started from the bottom up. I tried to learn everything in my field, vertically by becoming a more advanced and trained diver & laterally by learning everything from regulator repair to photography, driving boats, & creating moorings. I read books about physics, physiology, & geology I used the little money I made to travel and learn from people working in the fields I was interested in. I kept informed with anything I could put my hands on, living on an island without computers and the internet. I found terrific mentors and tried to soak up as much as possible. Later, I turned back to the studies I never had access to, and thatā€™s how I became a shark ecologist and behaviorist. Arriving where I am now took thirty years of daily work and dedication, overcoming significant challenges, and sticking to listening to my heart My work is my passion, and my passion is my work; there is no distinct line. By trade, I am a diving professional, and by calling a scientist. Loving something makes us want to protect it. It didnā€™t take much to see that sharks, ocean, caves, and even the pine forest were intrinsically connected and that damaging one would affect the other. Conservation is my lifestyle, not once a day action, but thatā€™s for another post. Archive image 1997
Likes : 1701Cristina Zenato - 1.7K Likes - Letā€™s talk about the ā€œclose to shoreā€ comments I keep receiving asking to explain why are sharks coming ā€œtoo close to shoreā€ Sharks come in different sizes and species, some of them pelagic, some of them coastal. At certain time of the year more than others some species venture in the shallow for all sorts of different motives, mating, feeding on transitioning fish, water temperature, movement, but they are still in the water and in their world. They donā€™t have a thought of being too close to shore, that is our view on their presence as if close to shore belongs to us not to them. Depending on the factors I mention and even more so sometimes on factor we humans create with our disruptions, sharks follow their instincts and nature rules. Letā€™s stop interpreting their behavior according to our standards and instead learn more about the nature of these incredible creatures who have been here way before us, are older than trees and letā€™s be honest, have a better balanced relationship with their world than we will ever have. Perhaps itā€™s time to learn.

1.7K Likes – Cristina Zenato Instagram

Caption : Letā€™s talk about the ā€œclose to shoreā€ comments I keep receiving asking to explain why are sharks coming ā€œtoo close to shoreā€ Sharks come in different sizes and species, some of them pelagic, some of them coastal. At certain time of the year more than others some species venture in the shallow for all sorts of different motives, mating, feeding on transitioning fish, water temperature, movement, but they are still in the water and in their world. They donā€™t have a thought of being too close to shore, that is our view on their presence as if close to shore belongs to us not to them. Depending on the factors I mention and even more so sometimes on factor we humans create with our disruptions, sharks follow their instincts and nature rules. Letā€™s stop interpreting their behavior according to our standards and instead learn more about the nature of these incredible creatures who have been here way before us, are older than trees and letā€™s be honest, have a better balanced relationship with their world than we will ever have. Perhaps itā€™s time to learn.
Likes : 1686Cristina Zenato - 1.7K Likes - There is a scary trend going on about sharks. Itā€™s the uneducated and incorrect opinion that there are too many sharks, that they need regulation and culling, and that humans should be the ones completing this task. Itā€™s crucial to address the widespread misconception about shark populations also has the potential to lead us down a dangerous path. Unfortunately, some of these circles hold the power to influence rules and regulations, often for their own benefit, rather than for the well-being of sharks or the ocean. Perhaps the first thing that requires regulation is ā€œthousands of fishing boat charters.ā€ We should have fewer fishing boat charters, fewer humans harvesting from the ocean at once, and less consumerism. If we had fewer humans in shark territory, fishing what belongs to the sharks by right, we would have more fish and fewer encounters. Scientific evidence is clear: shark populations are in a state of crisis. The IUCN red list, a reliable source, lists as much as 37% of sharks and rays as at risk of extinction. And this is based on monitoring only 28% of the different species and populations. These numbers cannot be ignored, and they underscore the urgent need for conservation efforts. Sharks have been on this planet for 450 million years, humans of our species for 150.000 years; we took to fishing 40,000 years ago. I do not see how humans can be responsible for regulating such a long-term being who has survived 5 mass extinctions. The only regulations we end up doing are the ones that involve us. We cause the transfer of invasive species; then we assert ourselves as the saviors by eliminating said species; we cause the overfishing of other species; then we set up quotas and limits on how much we can take, not because it is too much, but because there isnā€™t enough. The concept that we, as a dominating species, have the right to do whatever we wish with the rest of the planet is an ill and incorrect one. Itā€™s the same one that has brought us to the situation we are in now, and it needs to change if we want to save not the planet but ourselves because, ultimately, the planet, without us, will do much better. Video by @kewinlorenzen

1.7K Likes – Cristina Zenato Instagram

Caption : There is a scary trend going on about sharks. Itā€™s the uneducated and incorrect opinion that there are too many sharks, that they need regulation and culling, and that humans should be the ones completing this task. Itā€™s crucial to address the widespread misconception about shark populations also has the potential to lead us down a dangerous path. Unfortunately, some of these circles hold the power to influence rules and regulations, often for their own benefit, rather than for the well-being of sharks or the ocean. Perhaps the first thing that requires regulation is ā€œthousands of fishing boat charters.ā€ We should have fewer fishing boat charters, fewer humans harvesting from the ocean at once, and less consumerism. If we had fewer humans in shark territory, fishing what belongs to the sharks by right, we would have more fish and fewer encounters. Scientific evidence is clear: shark populations are in a state of crisis. The IUCN red list, a reliable source, lists as much as 37% of sharks and rays as at risk of extinction. And this is based on monitoring only 28% of the different species and populations. These numbers cannot be ignored, and they underscore the urgent need for conservation efforts. Sharks have been on this planet for 450 million years, humans of our species for 150.000 years; we took to fishing 40,000 years ago. I do not see how humans can be responsible for regulating such a long-term being who has survived 5 mass extinctions. The only regulations we end up doing are the ones that involve us. We cause the transfer of invasive species; then we assert ourselves as the saviors by eliminating said species; we cause the overfishing of other species; then we set up quotas and limits on how much we can take, not because it is too much, but because there isnā€™t enough. The concept that we, as a dominating species, have the right to do whatever we wish with the rest of the planet is an ill and incorrect one. Itā€™s the same one that has brought us to the situation we are in now, and it needs to change if we want to save not the planet but ourselves because, ultimately, the planet, without us, will do much better. Video by @kewinlorenzen
Likes : 1680Cristina Zenato - 1.7K Likes - Day 7 Question 7 The physical consequences of 30 years spent underwater and in the elements. My hair is bleached blond from sunlight and salt, but itā€™s not a big issue besides being a tad dry. I have a Pterygium, known as a surferā€™s eye, in my left eye, combined with a constant redness in both eyes caused by sun exposure. I am missing a tooth that was not closed correctly and cracked upon ascent due to the trapped air; I never replaced it because, at the time, it meant spending more than six months out of the water. Ear tinnitus might be the worst consequence. It is sometimes loud and even prevents me from sleeping. I have a lot of extra wrinkles due to sun exposure, but I donā€™t care; they are more the story of my life. My hands, according to doctors, present signs of arthritis; I only see powerful hands with somewhat large knuckles; I have mild carpal tunnel from carrying tanks I have been bent twice, early in my career, for diving too much, for too many consecutive days, and most likely not drinking enough water. Those hits have no significant consequences, but they make me attentive to my diving (No PFO) There are also general consequences that are part of physical work, from tightness in the shoulder muscles to sometimes dropping something heavy on a toe or trapping a nail somewhere and watching it as it goes from red to purple to even falling, the tiredness brought by a day of diving, and carrying gear, together with the mental strain related to the planning and execution of these dives. Being an active diver and sportsperson has allowed me to be strong, to have muscles that keep my bones healthy and flexible, and to recover quickly from a hard day or days. One of the best results of this life is not having to deal with hammer toe, a major hereditary issue in the women in my family, by mainly living barefoot, balancing on boats, and walking over uneven terrain without constricting shoes. My healing is through my yoga practice. It prevents tingling in my hands from carpal tunnel, repositions what I push out of place when hiking and carrying loads, and soothes the body while keeping it strong and I love all of it. šŸ’•

1.7K Likes – Cristina Zenato Instagram

Caption : Day 7 Question 7 The physical consequences of 30 years spent underwater and in the elements. My hair is bleached blond from sunlight and salt, but itā€™s not a big issue besides being a tad dry. I have a Pterygium, known as a surferā€™s eye, in my left eye, combined with a constant redness in both eyes caused by sun exposure. I am missing a tooth that was not closed correctly and cracked upon ascent due to the trapped air; I never replaced it because, at the time, it meant spending more than six months out of the water. Ear tinnitus might be the worst consequence. It is sometimes loud and even prevents me from sleeping. I have a lot of extra wrinkles due to sun exposure, but I donā€™t care; they are more the story of my life. My hands, according to doctors, present signs of arthritis; I only see powerful hands with somewhat large knuckles; I have mild carpal tunnel from carrying tanks I have been bent twice, early in my career, for diving too much, for too many consecutive days, and most likely not drinking enough water. Those hits have no significant consequences, but they make me attentive to my diving (No PFO) There are also general consequences that are part of physical work, from tightness in the shoulder muscles to sometimes dropping something heavy on a toe or trapping a nail somewhere and watching it as it goes from red to purple to even falling, the tiredness brought by a day of diving, and carrying gear, together with the mental strain related to the planning and execution of these dives. Being an active diver and sportsperson has allowed me to be strong, to have muscles that keep my bones healthy and flexible, and to recover quickly from a hard day or days. One of the best results of this life is not having to deal with hammer toe, a major hereditary issue in the women in my family, by mainly living barefoot, balancing on boats, and walking over uneven terrain without constricting shoes. My healing is through my yoga practice. It prevents tingling in my hands from carpal tunnel, repositions what I push out of place when hiking and carrying loads, and soothes the body while keeping it strong and I love all of it. šŸ’•
Likes : 1655Cristina Zenato - 1.6K Likes - šŸŒŠšŸ’Ŗ Kicking off #InternationalWomensDay by shining a spotlight on the incredible @cristinazenato! šŸ¦ˆ Known for her groundbreaking work with sharks, Cristina has spent 27 years building trust and understanding with the majestic Caribbean Reef sharks off Grand Bahama Island. Through careful study and patience, Cristina has formed a unique bond with these creatures, offering them safety by removing fishing hooks from their mouths with gentle care. Perhaps as a way to thank her the sharks stick around for a little petting session. Her approach is built on respect and empathy, never forcing herself upon them but earning their trust day by day. As Cristina shares, her work isnā€™t just about saving individual sharksā€”itā€™s about inspiring a global movement to protect these vital ocean guardians. Her dedication reminds us that investing in women like Cristina means investing in a brighter, more sustainable future for all. Join us in honoring Cristinaā€™s extraordinary efforts this #InternationalWomensDay! šŸŒŸ #SaveSharks #SharkConservation #EmpowerWomenā€ šŸŒŠšŸ’™

1.6K Likes – Cristina Zenato Instagram

Caption : šŸŒŠšŸ’Ŗ Kicking off #InternationalWomensDay by shining a spotlight on the incredible @cristinazenato! šŸ¦ˆ Known for her groundbreaking work with sharks, Cristina has spent 27 years building trust and understanding with the majestic Caribbean Reef sharks off Grand Bahama Island. Through careful study and patience, Cristina has formed a unique bond with these creatures, offering them safety by removing fishing hooks from their mouths with gentle care. Perhaps as a way to thank her the sharks stick around for a little petting session. Her approach is built on respect and empathy, never forcing herself upon them but earning their trust day by day. As Cristina shares, her work isnā€™t just about saving individual sharksā€”itā€™s about inspiring a global movement to protect these vital ocean guardians. Her dedication reminds us that investing in women like Cristina means investing in a brighter, more sustainable future for all. Join us in honoring Cristinaā€™s extraordinary efforts this #InternationalWomensDay! šŸŒŸ #SaveSharks #SharkConservation #EmpowerWomenā€ šŸŒŠšŸ’™
Likes : 1635Cristina Zenato - 1.6K Likes - ā€œYou will never make a difference,ā€ said the old man. ā€œBut I made it for that one,ā€ replied the young person - from the Starfish Story Every day, we are bombarded and overwhelmed with news about the negative course our planet and the environment are taking. We watch most of the time helpless at the, literally, rivers of plastic choking our streams, reversing into the ocean, killing all animals indiscriminately. We hear about these pollutants returning to us, into our plates and drinking water. We watch as truckloads of garbage and abandoned goods are taken away. Remember, when we throw something away, it doesnā€™t go to a magic place called ā€œaway. ā€œ It goes somewhere else on this planet. We feel that anything we do wonā€™t make much of an impact. Each of us has the power to be the change and inspire it in others. We do not have to kill ourselves by trying to do everything all the time. It is impossible to fight an uphill battle constantly, but each day, we can select actions that have a positive outcome right in the place where we are, in the moment we are living. As I have said before, I cannot save all the sharks in the world nor pick up all the plastic on the beach where we were yesterday. Still, I will pick up as much as I can fit in the car and, through that action, spare a bird, a turtle, or a shark from becoming entangled, eating the incorrect food, or suffering because of our actions. Beach clean up with @kewinlorenzen Wearing my favorite brand @fourthelementdive biking made from recycled nylong.

1.6K Likes – Cristina Zenato Instagram

Caption : ā€œYou will never make a difference,ā€ said the old man. ā€œBut I made it for that one,ā€ replied the young person – from the Starfish Story Every day, we are bombarded and overwhelmed with news about the negative course our planet and the environment are taking. We watch most of the time helpless at the, literally, rivers of plastic choking our streams, reversing into the ocean, killing all animals indiscriminately. We hear about these pollutants returning to us, into our plates and drinking water. We watch as truckloads of garbage and abandoned goods are taken away. Remember, when we throw something away, it doesnā€™t go to a magic place called ā€œaway. ā€œ It goes somewhere else on this planet. We feel that anything we do wonā€™t make much of an impact. Each of us has the power to be the change and inspire it in others. We do not have to kill ourselves by trying to do everything all the time. It is impossible to fight an uphill battle constantly, but each day, we can select actions that have a positive outcome right in the place where we are, in the moment we are living. As I have said before, I cannot save all the sharks in the world nor pick up all the plastic on the beach where we were yesterday. Still, I will pick up as much as I can fit in the car and, through that action, spare a bird, a turtle, or a shark from becoming entangled, eating the incorrect food, or suffering because of our actions. Beach clean up with @kewinlorenzen Wearing my favorite brand @fourthelementdive biking made from recycled nylong.
Likes : 1571Cristina Zenato - 1.5K Likes - Follow your heart, it knows the way! But remember that there is always a price to pay and itā€™s up to us, not others, to decide if it is worth it. For me the biggest price has been being away from my family, missing most of the holidays, the milestones, the celebrations and the losses. And times doesnā€™t help, nor makes things easier. If anything time makes it harder; each year there is someone less to say ā€œsee you next timeā€ to; every year there is someone we canā€™t visit anymore but in our memories. When I started this I thought one day it would hurt less; it doesnā€™t. It hurts more, perhaps because I already know the feeling and the pain that is to come. Now having two families with @kewinlorenzen instead of one, it has created an even higher price tag. I am not saying this for sympathy or words of encouragement, nor please donā€™t tell me ā€œyour choiceā€ but to give a little behind the scenes of what it means to follow our heart. It is the most rewarding choice we could ever make, but it has a price and itā€™s up to us to decide if we are ready to pay it, sometimes over and over again. The dragon fly on this necklace by @goghjewelrydesign is my way to carry my grandmother with me.

1.5K Likes – Cristina Zenato Instagram

Caption : Follow your heart, it knows the way! But remember that there is always a price to pay and itā€™s up to us, not others, to decide if it is worth it. For me the biggest price has been being away from my family, missing most of the holidays, the milestones, the celebrations and the losses. And times doesnā€™t help, nor makes things easier. If anything time makes it harder; each year there is someone less to say ā€œsee you next timeā€ to; every year there is someone we canā€™t visit anymore but in our memories. When I started this I thought one day it would hurt less; it doesnā€™t. It hurts more, perhaps because I already know the feeling and the pain that is to come. Now having two families with @kewinlorenzen instead of one, it has created an even higher price tag. I am not saying this for sympathy or words of encouragement, nor please donā€™t tell me ā€œyour choiceā€ but to give a little behind the scenes of what it means to follow our heart. It is the most rewarding choice we could ever make, but it has a price and itā€™s up to us to decide if we are ready to pay it, sometimes over and over again. The dragon fly on this necklace by @goghjewelrydesign is my way to carry my grandmother with me.
Likes : 1517Cristina Zenato - 1.5K Likes - Today I am reposting this incredible capture by @kewinlorenzen I saw the picture as soon as he took it but the more I look at it, the more it makes me think. šŸ‘‰ Of the many years passed diving and observing creatures, the behavior, and choice, of this remora is incredible on so many levels. šŸ‘‰To find safety in the mouth of the worldā€™s second largest predatory shark. šŸ‘‰to benefit not only from the protection but as a source of food while remaining safe šŸ’Æ Additionally, for me, as a perfect example of how sharks are not empty brains swimming around always looking to chomp down on something (like many still tell me that sharks are) but thinking creatures with have a role to play and a connection and interaction with the ecosystem they belong to. to find safety in the mouth of the worldā€™s second largest predatory shark. šŸ‘‡Kewinā€™s original post 惻惻惻 Whoā€™s in there? While taking macro images of the tiger sharks, I noticed this remora happily resting inside the mouth of Maria, one of the biggest tiger sharks on the site. Remoras are usually found hitch hiking on sharks, as they have a mutualism symbiotic relationship. The remora keeps the shark clean from parasites, dead skin, while feeding on food scraps from the tigers meals. You can imagine my surprise when I saw the remora sitting comfortably inside and at a later time swimming outside and resuming a more traditional position. @isotta_underwater_housings @waterproofinternational @fourthelementdive

1.5K Likes – Cristina Zenato Instagram

Caption : Today I am reposting this incredible capture by @kewinlorenzen I saw the picture as soon as he took it but the more I look at it, the more it makes me think. šŸ‘‰ Of the many years passed diving and observing creatures, the behavior, and choice, of this remora is incredible on so many levels. šŸ‘‰To find safety in the mouth of the worldā€™s second largest predatory shark. šŸ‘‰to benefit not only from the protection but as a source of food while remaining safe šŸ’Æ Additionally, for me, as a perfect example of how sharks are not empty brains swimming around always looking to chomp down on something (like many still tell me that sharks are) but thinking creatures with have a role to play and a connection and interaction with the ecosystem they belong to. to find safety in the mouth of the worldā€™s second largest predatory shark. šŸ‘‡Kewinā€™s original post 惻惻惻 Whoā€™s in there? While taking macro images of the tiger sharks, I noticed this remora happily resting inside the mouth of Maria, one of the biggest tiger sharks on the site. Remoras are usually found hitch hiking on sharks, as they have a mutualism symbiotic relationship. The remora keeps the shark clean from parasites, dead skin, while feeding on food scraps from the tigers meals. You can imagine my surprise when I saw the remora sitting comfortably inside and at a later time swimming outside and resuming a more traditional position. @isotta_underwater_housings @waterproofinternational @fourthelementdive
Likes : 1506Cristina Zenato - 1.5K Likes - Note to ourselves: this is me! It is common to hear from people and especially from women the weight of self-doubt, impostor syndrome and that we should always be doing more and better. We think we don't deserve to ask for a promotion, for a pay raise, or even to be paid for the services we render. We question each decision and step and we are at times, guilt into taking steps we really didn't want to take. While thriving to improve is beneficial, keeps us motivated, happy, and increases our levels, we should not let the feeling that our self-worth is not good enough stop us. We are good enough, we are doing enough. We need to learn that we will ebb and flow like the tide, that we cannot always be the full river barging down the mountain, for, even water, takes a rest during certain cycles of its life and so should we.

1.5K Likes – Cristina Zenato Instagram

Caption : Note to ourselves: this is me! It is common to hear from people and especially from women the weight of self-doubt, impostor syndrome and that we should always be doing more and better. We think we don’t deserve to ask for a promotion, for a pay raise, or even to be paid for the services we render. We question each decision and step and we are at times, guilt into taking steps we really didn’t want to take. While thriving to improve is beneficial, keeps us motivated, happy, and increases our levels, we should not let the feeling that our self-worth is not good enough stop us. We are good enough, we are doing enough. We need to learn that we will ebb and flow like the tide, that we cannot always be the full river barging down the mountain, for, even water, takes a rest during certain cycles of its life and so should we.
Likes : 1505Cristina Zenato - 1.5K Likes - This is why everything we do matters. Great question by @becthediver during the S2:E19 episode with Cristina Zenato on The Scuba Diving Podcast (link to show in bio) šŸ¤æšŸ šŸŖø #oceanconservation #starfishstory #sharkconservation #scubadivingislife #inspire #sweetwaterscuba

1.5K Likes – Cristina Zenato Instagram

Caption : This is why everything we do matters. Great question by @becthediver during the S2:E19 episode with Cristina Zenato on The Scuba Diving Podcast (link to show in bio) šŸ¤æšŸ šŸŖø #oceanconservation #starfishstory #sharkconservation #scubadivingislife #inspire #sweetwaterscuba
Likes : 1468Cristina Zenato - 1.5K Likes - On the south shore of Grand Bahama island in a location I have visited for the last 31 years lives a shiver of Caribbean Reef sharks, a small group I call part of my family. Here is where I interact and remove hooks from them, here is where I invite you to join to share the same. The shark interactive experience and course are a unique way to connect with this special shiver of Caribbean Reef sharks. It allows for a personal experience while learning more about sharks in general. Itā€™s where I will invite to touch a shark, not redirect, where I include to feel their gentle breath while resting in our lap, where a connection is built under my personal and direct supervision. Available on request, check www.cristinazenato.com under courses for more details. Link in bio. @kewinlorenzen will collect your memories through the lens of his camera. @neptunic_com @isotta_underwater_housings @waterproofinternational

1.5K Likes – Cristina Zenato Instagram

Caption : On the south shore of Grand Bahama island in a location I have visited for the last 31 years lives a shiver of Caribbean Reef sharks, a small group I call part of my family. Here is where I interact and remove hooks from them, here is where I invite you to join to share the same. The shark interactive experience and course are a unique way to connect with this special shiver of Caribbean Reef sharks. It allows for a personal experience while learning more about sharks in general. Itā€™s where I will invite to touch a shark, not redirect, where I include to feel their gentle breath while resting in our lap, where a connection is built under my personal and direct supervision. Available on request, check www.cristinazenato.com under courses for more details. Link in bio. @kewinlorenzen will collect your memories through the lens of his camera. @neptunic_com @isotta_underwater_housings @waterproofinternational
Likes : 1451Cristina Zenato - 1.4K Likes - Do ever get bored opening the door and seeing our family members greet us? When we love someone we can never get bored with them. I am a big believer and practitioner of the ā€œdive site fidelityā€, visiting the same place over and over, building a presence and observation skills. Being in the same area teaches us that itā€™s never the same, shows us the changes, the ebbing and shifting of the seasons, of the animals, of the consequences of the human presence. Ultimately I love sharks, always have and seeing them every dive, every day, in the same place is a moment of happiness, and a reassurance for my heart.

1.4K Likes – Cristina Zenato Instagram

Caption : Do ever get bored opening the door and seeing our family members greet us? When we love someone we can never get bored with them. I am a big believer and practitioner of the ā€œdive site fidelityā€, visiting the same place over and over, building a presence and observation skills. Being in the same area teaches us that itā€™s never the same, shows us the changes, the ebbing and shifting of the seasons, of the animals, of the consequences of the human presence. Ultimately I love sharks, always have and seeing them every dive, every day, in the same place is a moment of happiness, and a reassurance for my heart.
Likes : 1449Cristina Zenato - 1.4K Likes - While having a base is important, it is not made of money. When I launched into this life and changed everything, all I had with me were my skills and my attitude. I started from zero; I did not have a penny to my name. I lived with the money I made on the job and slowly began to save. If we wait for things to line up and want everything to be secure, we will never leap into the life we dream of. It means sacrificing, missing out on certain aspects, and keeping the nose on the grindstone. Our ocean life is not easy sailing on the ocean, with perpetual sunshine and flat, calm seas. Our life is full of ups and downs, feasts and famines, seeing people coming and going, and sacrifices. At times, it is being foreign in a foreign country, adapting, evolving, changing, and when the proverbial hits the fan, finding a new way out of it, around it, or once again changing. The video shows an exceptional day; I love it and want to share it. It is the surface of a much deeper life. If we want to do what we love, we need to decide what price we want to pay and see if such expenditure is worth it to live the life we love.

1.4K Likes – Cristina Zenato Instagram

Caption : While having a base is important, it is not made of money. When I launched into this life and changed everything, all I had with me were my skills and my attitude. I started from zero; I did not have a penny to my name. I lived with the money I made on the job and slowly began to save. If we wait for things to line up and want everything to be secure, we will never leap into the life we dream of. It means sacrificing, missing out on certain aspects, and keeping the nose on the grindstone. Our ocean life is not easy sailing on the ocean, with perpetual sunshine and flat, calm seas. Our life is full of ups and downs, feasts and famines, seeing people coming and going, and sacrifices. At times, it is being foreign in a foreign country, adapting, evolving, changing, and when the proverbial hits the fan, finding a new way out of it, around it, or once again changing. The video shows an exceptional day; I love it and want to share it. It is the surface of a much deeper life. If we want to do what we love, we need to decide what price we want to pay and see if such expenditure is worth it to live the life we love.
Likes : 1425Cristina Zenato - 1.4K Likes - Saying ā€œSharksā€ is like saying ā€œBirds.ā€ We do not need to be ornithologists to know that not all birds can fly, sing beautifully, or sport vibrant colors. ā€œSharksā€ is one word that includes over 530 different species, from the giant whale shark, the biggest fish in the ocean, to the smallest of the smallest, like the dwarf lantern shark. In between, there are apex predators, like great white or mako; meso predators, like the Caribbean reef or Lemon; the sharks who donā€™t even look like the traditional shark, like the Wobbegong or the Port Jackson; the ones with teeth, the ones who filter their food, the ones who grind it. The first step to understanding sharks and sharing their true nature with others is to learn about their differences, the places they live, and the role they play in their ecosystem. When divers visit us in the Bahamas, they encounter eight or nine different species of sharks; when they come with us to South Africa, they encounter eight or nine additional species of sharks they would never encounter in the Bahamas. Being able to see and experience the variety of sharks allows us to start speaking about them first as species, then as individuals within the species. Each animal is unique like we all are. Their role, environment, and changes happening in that specific location influence their behavior. To learn more about sharks with us, visit www.cristinazenato.com Link in bio.

1.4K Likes – Cristina Zenato Instagram

Caption : Saying ā€œSharksā€ is like saying ā€œBirds.ā€ We do not need to be ornithologists to know that not all birds can fly, sing beautifully, or sport vibrant colors. ā€œSharksā€ is one word that includes over 530 different species, from the giant whale shark, the biggest fish in the ocean, to the smallest of the smallest, like the dwarf lantern shark. In between, there are apex predators, like great white or mako; meso predators, like the Caribbean reef or Lemon; the sharks who donā€™t even look like the traditional shark, like the Wobbegong or the Port Jackson; the ones with teeth, the ones who filter their food, the ones who grind it. The first step to understanding sharks and sharing their true nature with others is to learn about their differences, the places they live, and the role they play in their ecosystem. When divers visit us in the Bahamas, they encounter eight or nine different species of sharks; when they come with us to South Africa, they encounter eight or nine additional species of sharks they would never encounter in the Bahamas. Being able to see and experience the variety of sharks allows us to start speaking about them first as species, then as individuals within the species. Each animal is unique like we all are. Their role, environment, and changes happening in that specific location influence their behavior. To learn more about sharks with us, visit www.cristinazenato.com Link in bio.
Likes : 1395Cristina Zenato - 1.3K Likes - ā€œAuthenticā€ Merriam-Webster word of the year for 2023 is ā€œauthentic.ā€ In an age of deepfakes, post-truth, and artificial intelligence, when full accounts are made up by virtual people who live artificially created lives, when we question authenticity, we value it even more. I decided a long time ago that my images and posts would be authentic, representing my life and how I look, with no filters, no smoothing of lines, and no changes in who I am and what I do. My images come with shadows, wrinkles, and the rest, my body comes in its natural shape, in the moment, with messy hair, and unchecked blemishes. Authenticity is missing from our lives, and we crave it now more than ever. I hope more will join in showing their true selves, sharing their unfiltered faces, and reducing comparisons with an unattainable reality to live lighter lives. Celebrating authenticity with these images wearing the designs from @goghjewelrydesign dear friend, and sea sister in the @wdhof. Szilvia makes her pieces one by one and promotes them using images of friends and clients of all ages and looks wearing them; she never uses models. When I sent her the images of me wearing her pieces, I told her, ā€œ They come with shadows, wrinkles, and the rest,ā€ she replied, ā€œ That is how I want them, authentic. ā€œ Use code SHARMOM for 20% off at check out at https://goghjewelrydesign.com Image by @kewinlorenzen

1.3K Likes – Cristina Zenato Instagram

Caption : ā€œAuthenticā€ Merriam-Webster word of the year for 2023 is ā€œauthentic.ā€ In an age of deepfakes, post-truth, and artificial intelligence, when full accounts are made up by virtual people who live artificially created lives, when we question authenticity, we value it even more. I decided a long time ago that my images and posts would be authentic, representing my life and how I look, with no filters, no smoothing of lines, and no changes in who I am and what I do. My images come with shadows, wrinkles, and the rest, my body comes in its natural shape, in the moment, with messy hair, and unchecked blemishes. Authenticity is missing from our lives, and we crave it now more than ever. I hope more will join in showing their true selves, sharing their unfiltered faces, and reducing comparisons with an unattainable reality to live lighter lives. Celebrating authenticity with these images wearing the designs from @goghjewelrydesign dear friend, and sea sister in the @wdhof. Szilvia makes her pieces one by one and promotes them using images of friends and clients of all ages and looks wearing them; she never uses models. When I sent her the images of me wearing her pieces, I told her, ā€œ They come with shadows, wrinkles, and the rest,ā€ she replied, ā€œ That is how I want them, authentic. ā€œ Use code SHARMOM for 20% off at check out at https://goghjewelrydesign.com Image by @kewinlorenzen
Likes : 1331Cristina Zenato - 1.3K Likes - ā€œIt all started as an act of love towards the sharks I knew; seeing them suffer made me want to help them by removing the hooks they showed up with. Little did I know it would inspire people to want to help sharks all around me and start a conversation about how vulnerable sharks are from the presence of humans. Each hook and each shark in turn became ambassadors for the voiceless ones, they raise awareness towards the plight of sharks that are invisible to our attention and mostly our care. Itā€™s a small hook that started a big conversation on how shark conservation goes beyond the hook itself and enters the world of food choices, legislation, land (yes land) development and consumerism. For each hook removed there is the hope for a better understanding that as individuals we have the power to change the world around us. Words by Cristina Zenato Video by @kewinlorenzen of @cristinazenato @isotta_underwater_housings @waterproofinternational @fourthelementdive @neptunic_com

1.3K Likes – Cristina Zenato Instagram

Caption : ā€œIt all started as an act of love towards the sharks I knew; seeing them suffer made me want to help them by removing the hooks they showed up with. Little did I know it would inspire people to want to help sharks all around me and start a conversation about how vulnerable sharks are from the presence of humans. Each hook and each shark in turn became ambassadors for the voiceless ones, they raise awareness towards the plight of sharks that are invisible to our attention and mostly our care. Itā€™s a small hook that started a big conversation on how shark conservation goes beyond the hook itself and enters the world of food choices, legislation, land (yes land) development and consumerism. For each hook removed there is the hope for a better understanding that as individuals we have the power to change the world around us. Words by Cristina Zenato Video by @kewinlorenzen of @cristinazenato @isotta_underwater_housings @waterproofinternational @fourthelementdive @neptunic_com
Likes : 1288Cristina Zenato - 1.3K Likes - I establish a relationship with a shark In the same way, we build all our relationships. We need time, presence, and the understanding that not everything will evolve according to our expectations but that will involve the needs and thoughts of the other individual. ā€œHelicopteringā€ into the site once or twice per year or every few months does not build a relationship. A relationship is built with listening, sharing, and understanding without wanting to change the counterpart. Sharks are creatures with brains and understanding, with memory and connectivity; when I enter their world I take the time to listen and observe and give each one the space needed. When we donā€™t expect anything, the magic unfolds. With @kewinlorenzen using @isotta_underwater_housings @neptunic_com shark suit, @waterproofinternational

1.3K Likes – Cristina Zenato Instagram

Caption : I establish a relationship with a shark In the same way, we build all our relationships. We need time, presence, and the understanding that not everything will evolve according to our expectations but that will involve the needs and thoughts of the other individual. ā€œHelicopteringā€ into the site once or twice per year or every few months does not build a relationship. A relationship is built with listening, sharing, and understanding without wanting to change the counterpart. Sharks are creatures with brains and understanding, with memory and connectivity; when I enter their world I take the time to listen and observe and give each one the space needed. When we donā€™t expect anything, the magic unfolds. With @kewinlorenzen using @isotta_underwater_housings @neptunic_com shark suit, @waterproofinternational
Likes : 1276Cristina Zenato - 1.3K Likes - Happy and at the same time tired and frustrated. I am feeling both because in the last few days it has been a continued hook removal, to find more hooks. The reasons? Multiple, including visiting vessels who tie up to the moorings and fish where they should not but mostly because I am hurting seeing the sharks continously pierced through in so many different places. From March 27th through April 2nd these have been the hooks and the removals: Crook: 2 hooks, one piercing through the side of the face- this last one removed, the other one invisible to the eye, I was only able to cut most of the line. Nacho: 1 hook, removed Half Baked: one hook, removed, showed up with two more both swallowed, only the lines showing will be almost impossible to remove Vulcan: 1 hook, removed, 1 more hook two days later, removed Liz: 1 hook removed, 1 more hook two days later, not removed Peggy: 1 hook removed, no more hooks New Shark (Prickly Nose is the tentative name) one hook, line visible streaming from the gills, hook impossible to detect. I hope the stories of these sharks, the continuous presence of hooks, the issues that these hooks cause brings more attention to the pressure we are putting on the ocean. These sharks, in this location, are nothing but a small, minute corner of the world, an example of what as humans we are doing to our planet. I also hope it will show people how each one of us can make a difference; as always I am not advocating for going out there and trying to remove hooks from sharks we donā€™t know or we are not equipped to do, but we can change the way we consume, the way we manage our carbon footprint (from using less plastic to less chemicals for example) and the way we eat. Using my @neptunic_com stainless steel suit (20lbs) to safely remove hooks. Video and support by @kewinlorenzen

1.3K Likes – Cristina Zenato Instagram

Caption : Happy and at the same time tired and frustrated. I am feeling both because in the last few days it has been a continued hook removal, to find more hooks. The reasons? Multiple, including visiting vessels who tie up to the moorings and fish where they should not but mostly because I am hurting seeing the sharks continously pierced through in so many different places. From March 27th through April 2nd these have been the hooks and the removals: Crook: 2 hooks, one piercing through the side of the face- this last one removed, the other one invisible to the eye, I was only able to cut most of the line. Nacho: 1 hook, removed Half Baked: one hook, removed, showed up with two more both swallowed, only the lines showing will be almost impossible to remove Vulcan: 1 hook, removed, 1 more hook two days later, removed Liz: 1 hook removed, 1 more hook two days later, not removed Peggy: 1 hook removed, no more hooks New Shark (Prickly Nose is the tentative name) one hook, line visible streaming from the gills, hook impossible to detect. I hope the stories of these sharks, the continuous presence of hooks, the issues that these hooks cause brings more attention to the pressure we are putting on the ocean. These sharks, in this location, are nothing but a small, minute corner of the world, an example of what as humans we are doing to our planet. I also hope it will show people how each one of us can make a difference; as always I am not advocating for going out there and trying to remove hooks from sharks we donā€™t know or we are not equipped to do, but we can change the way we consume, the way we manage our carbon footprint (from using less plastic to less chemicals for example) and the way we eat. Using my @neptunic_com stainless steel suit (20lbs) to safely remove hooks. Video and support by @kewinlorenzen
Likes : 1251Cristina Zenato - 1.2K Likes - Most people would be terrified to do what you do. So what terrifies you, if anything? I fear shallow living; I fear a life of repetition without fulfillment. I fear the conformity of a life focused on the sole scope of owning material things, a title, a position, a life that, instead of being lived, is full of ā€œwhenā€ and ā€œifā€ of wasted time and missed opportunities. Fear of a life where conformity is the norm and we live by what we ā€œshould doā€ instead of what we ā€œwould love to do.ā€ I have seen so many people unhappy living the life they should have instead of the life they would love to have. So they wait when this lines up, or that will happen; meanwhile, life flows through our fingers like the water of a waterfall. I am afraid of having to ā€œfit inā€ instead of being able to overflow. I am scared of empty small talk and people who canā€™t play like children, of keeping appearances instead of being able to wear the heart on a sleeve. Image by @kewinlorenzen with @isotta_underwater_housings wearing @fourthelementdive mask and Lycra skin @wdhof

1.2K Likes – Cristina Zenato Instagram

Caption : Most people would be terrified to do what you do. So what terrifies you, if anything? I fear shallow living; I fear a life of repetition without fulfillment. I fear the conformity of a life focused on the sole scope of owning material things, a title, a position, a life that, instead of being lived, is full of ā€œwhenā€ and ā€œifā€ of wasted time and missed opportunities. Fear of a life where conformity is the norm and we live by what we ā€œshould doā€ instead of what we ā€œwould love to do.ā€ I have seen so many people unhappy living the life they should have instead of the life they would love to have. So they wait when this lines up, or that will happen; meanwhile, life flows through our fingers like the water of a waterfall. I am afraid of having to ā€œfit inā€ instead of being able to overflow. I am scared of empty small talk and people who canā€™t play like children, of keeping appearances instead of being able to wear the heart on a sleeve. Image by @kewinlorenzen with @isotta_underwater_housings wearing @fourthelementdive mask and Lycra skin @wdhof
Likes : 1238Cristina Zenato - 1.2K Likes - A Caribbean Reef shark lies motionless in our laps, our hands gently stroking her head. She lies there for long minutes, sometimes for half hour, relaxed and trustworthy. A behavior displayed by some of the girls I work with, not all of them, a choice they make each an every time. It is a behavior we accept as normal in other animals but that that amazes most when it comes to sharks. We been filled with incorrect information, hyped up news and these messages have warped the way we perceive sharks and other animals. When we see them behaving in what would be considered acceptable for other species, we are amazed, skeptical or even incredulous (donā€™t get me started on the AI accusations šŸ™„) a sign of the disconnect we have with the natural world. Like all relationships, the one I have with this specific shiver of Caribbean Reef sharks is built on time spent together, knowledge, understanding, appreciation and my love for them. As for the resting on the ocean floor motionless most species of sharks have a secondary ventilation system called Buccal Pumping. Diver with me @_fmaggie Follow to learn more about sharks and come diving with me to experience it in person www.cristinazenato.com Video @kewinlorenzen with @isotta_underwater_housings @neptunic_com sharks suits @waterproofinternational @diveshearwater @scubapro

1.2K Likes – Cristina Zenato Instagram

Caption : A Caribbean Reef shark lies motionless in our laps, our hands gently stroking her head. She lies there for long minutes, sometimes for half hour, relaxed and trustworthy. A behavior displayed by some of the girls I work with, not all of them, a choice they make each an every time. It is a behavior we accept as normal in other animals but that that amazes most when it comes to sharks. We been filled with incorrect information, hyped up news and these messages have warped the way we perceive sharks and other animals. When we see them behaving in what would be considered acceptable for other species, we are amazed, skeptical or even incredulous (donā€™t get me started on the AI accusations šŸ™„) a sign of the disconnect we have with the natural world. Like all relationships, the one I have with this specific shiver of Caribbean Reef sharks is built on time spent together, knowledge, understanding, appreciation and my love for them. As for the resting on the ocean floor motionless most species of sharks have a secondary ventilation system called Buccal Pumping. Diver with me @_fmaggie Follow to learn more about sharks and come diving with me to experience it in person www.cristinazenato.com Video @kewinlorenzen with @isotta_underwater_housings @neptunic_com sharks suits @waterproofinternational @diveshearwater @scubapro
Likes : 1233Cristina Zenato - 1.2K Likes - The first step in removing a hook from one of my sharks is to evaluate the hook position and the level of embedding into the sharkā€™s flesh. First I usually gently touch the hook as the shark swims by me to verify its conditions and the reaction of the animal to my gentle touch. If the hook feels soft and the shark is not scared by my attempt, I go to work and start the process. Unfortunately some hooks cause great pain and I notice that when I even simply look at the hook; the shark suddenly swims away from my reach. It is hard to explain but it feels as if the shark knows that I am thinking about removing the hook. If instead the shark repeats the approach and relaxes enough, I start with the removal. Each hook is different, not only each shark is different but the reaction of the same shark is different based on the hook and level of discomfort. If the attempts become too stressful, I let the shark rest and try on a different dive or day. All actions completed with the use of my safety suit @neptunic_com Video of hook attempts from Floppy (Caribbean Reef) by @kewinlorenzen The hook finally came out but it wasnā€™t captured on video because of my body positioning. @isotta_underwater_housings @waterproofinternational @diveshearwater @scubapro

1.2K Likes – Cristina Zenato Instagram

Caption : The first step in removing a hook from one of my sharks is to evaluate the hook position and the level of embedding into the sharkā€™s flesh. First I usually gently touch the hook as the shark swims by me to verify its conditions and the reaction of the animal to my gentle touch. If the hook feels soft and the shark is not scared by my attempt, I go to work and start the process. Unfortunately some hooks cause great pain and I notice that when I even simply look at the hook; the shark suddenly swims away from my reach. It is hard to explain but it feels as if the shark knows that I am thinking about removing the hook. If instead the shark repeats the approach and relaxes enough, I start with the removal. Each hook is different, not only each shark is different but the reaction of the same shark is different based on the hook and level of discomfort. If the attempts become too stressful, I let the shark rest and try on a different dive or day. All actions completed with the use of my safety suit @neptunic_com Video of hook attempts from Floppy (Caribbean Reef) by @kewinlorenzen The hook finally came out but it wasnā€™t captured on video because of my body positioning. @isotta_underwater_housings @waterproofinternational @diveshearwater @scubapro
Likes : 1224Cristina Zenato - 1.2K Likes - What do we do when after only one week absence we come back to Half-Baked with two hooks (collected between December 2nd and 3rd), Peggy with three (she had only one on the 24th of November) and Nacho still with her one hook through the gills (that one is a very difficult and dangerous one to try to remove), with Crook showing a short line coming out of her mouth and looking all scratched up and beat up (looks like might have been pulled super close to the fishing boat to cut the line.)? If we let the negative of this world affect us, it could be very disheartening. Instead I went to work, because I want to make a difference where I have the power to help. I was able to remove two hooks, one from Half-Baked, one from Peggy, when a new small girl showed up with a double hook and a long line. She will take some time to approach but I will try again today. When we think we cannot make a difference we need to remember we can always make a difference for that one. As I usually say: one small action is better than no big action. @neptunic_com @peopleofthewater With @kewinlorenzen Neptunic

1.2K Likes – Cristina Zenato Instagram

Caption : What do we do when after only one week absence we come back to Half-Baked with two hooks (collected between December 2nd and 3rd), Peggy with three (she had only one on the 24th of November) and Nacho still with her one hook through the gills (that one is a very difficult and dangerous one to try to remove), with Crook showing a short line coming out of her mouth and looking all scratched up and beat up (looks like might have been pulled super close to the fishing boat to cut the line.)? If we let the negative of this world affect us, it could be very disheartening. Instead I went to work, because I want to make a difference where I have the power to help. I was able to remove two hooks, one from Half-Baked, one from Peggy, when a new small girl showed up with a double hook and a long line. She will take some time to approach but I will try again today. When we think we cannot make a difference we need to remember we can always make a difference for that one. As I usually say: one small action is better than no big action. @neptunic_com @peopleofthewater With @kewinlorenzen Neptunic
Likes : 1223Cristina Zenato - 1.2K Likes - Tiger sharks are important for the survival of the conch and many other creatures we never thought connected to these apex predators. After all Tiger sharks donā€™t eat conch. So how do these animals prevent the disappearance of a mollusk happily grazing in a sea grass bed? While many know that Tiger sharks are apex predators and are vital in removing sick, injured, dead creatures, many might not realize that their presence redistributes the location of their prey, preventing high concentrations in smaller areas, and with that preventing the over consumption and grazing of some resources like sea grass beds, the vital food for conch. A lot like a wolf in a forest, these creatures maintain a balance so interconnected and so complex that removing them would trigger consequences affecting everyone, including humans. Protecting sharks goes beyond loving them, protecting sharks is key to an healthy ocean, the same ocean life on this planet depends from. Video taken during our most recent liveaboard trip to explore experience up to eight different species of sharks and learn more about the true meaning of the word ā€œshark.ā€ Join us in 2026; details on www.cristinazenato.com Link in bio. With @kewinlorenzen @isotta_underwater_housings

1.2K Likes – Cristina Zenato Instagram

Caption : Tiger sharks are important for the survival of the conch and many other creatures we never thought connected to these apex predators. After all Tiger sharks donā€™t eat conch. So how do these animals prevent the disappearance of a mollusk happily grazing in a sea grass bed? While many know that Tiger sharks are apex predators and are vital in removing sick, injured, dead creatures, many might not realize that their presence redistributes the location of their prey, preventing high concentrations in smaller areas, and with that preventing the over consumption and grazing of some resources like sea grass beds, the vital food for conch. A lot like a wolf in a forest, these creatures maintain a balance so interconnected and so complex that removing them would trigger consequences affecting everyone, including humans. Protecting sharks goes beyond loving them, protecting sharks is key to an healthy ocean, the same ocean life on this planet depends from. Video taken during our most recent liveaboard trip to explore experience up to eight different species of sharks and learn more about the true meaning of the word ā€œshark.ā€ Join us in 2026; details on www.cristinazenato.com Link in bio. With @kewinlorenzen @isotta_underwater_housings
Likes : 1200Cristina Zenato - 1.2K Likes - There are so many misconceptions and myths related to sharks, their world and the fact that we go diving with some species considered ā€œdangerousā€ to humans. Most of these myths and misconceptions come from false information from media, perpetrated divulging of myths and hearsay and the anthropomorphic interpretation of shark behavior. During our trips and experiences we introduce divers to the reality of sharks, of being in the water with them, to the ā€œone size does not fit allā€ concept, we provide tools to evaluate destinations, locations and operators and through presentations and direct experiences share with them the true meaning of the word ā€œsharkā€ Sharks are not monsters, mindless killers, they can detect the differences between us and a prey, they are highly intelligent, selective and accept us in their space in a way that land animals normally donā€™t. For more info check www.cristinazenato.com Link in Bio Filmed with @isotta_underwater_housings during our liveaboard trip around the northern Bahamas to encounter up to eight different species of sharks

1.2K Likes – Cristina Zenato Instagram

Caption : There are so many misconceptions and myths related to sharks, their world and the fact that we go diving with some species considered ā€œdangerousā€ to humans. Most of these myths and misconceptions come from false information from media, perpetrated divulging of myths and hearsay and the anthropomorphic interpretation of shark behavior. During our trips and experiences we introduce divers to the reality of sharks, of being in the water with them, to the ā€œone size does not fit allā€ concept, we provide tools to evaluate destinations, locations and operators and through presentations and direct experiences share with them the true meaning of the word ā€œsharkā€ Sharks are not monsters, mindless killers, they can detect the differences between us and a prey, they are highly intelligent, selective and accept us in their space in a way that land animals normally donā€™t. For more info check www.cristinazenato.com Link in Bio Filmed with @isotta_underwater_housings during our liveaboard trip around the northern Bahamas to encounter up to eight different species of sharks
Likes : 1197Cristina Zenato - 1.2K Likes - The barrier that drops the barrier between sharks and us. The use of the chainsuit is at time scorned and ridiculed as if itā€™s a discrepancy between my advocacy for sharks and my actions on the field. To me itā€™s the contrary; wearing protection to safely welcome a shark (Caribbean Reef) in my lap is the way we advocate for safe interactions, for the benefit of all involved. When I donā€™t interact and welcome a shark to rest on my legs and in my lap, I donā€™t wear a suit, same as I donā€™t wear a suit when working with tigers or great hammer head sharks. Similarly to a bird of prey we wear an arm cover to allow the bird to rest on our arm not because of the intentions of the bird but because of shape and nature of the claws. This might be the only place in the world where I encourage to welcome a shark in our lap, to interact in such close manner, while wearing the barrier that drops the barrier between sharks and us. Learn more about these incredible interactions and how to join me at www.cristinazenato.com Suit by @neptunic_com

1.2K Likes – Cristina Zenato Instagram

Caption : The barrier that drops the barrier between sharks and us. The use of the chainsuit is at time scorned and ridiculed as if itā€™s a discrepancy between my advocacy for sharks and my actions on the field. To me itā€™s the contrary; wearing protection to safely welcome a shark (Caribbean Reef) in my lap is the way we advocate for safe interactions, for the benefit of all involved. When I donā€™t interact and welcome a shark to rest on my legs and in my lap, I donā€™t wear a suit, same as I donā€™t wear a suit when working with tigers or great hammer head sharks. Similarly to a bird of prey we wear an arm cover to allow the bird to rest on our arm not because of the intentions of the bird but because of shape and nature of the claws. This might be the only place in the world where I encourage to welcome a shark in our lap, to interact in such close manner, while wearing the barrier that drops the barrier between sharks and us. Learn more about these incredible interactions and how to join me at www.cristinazenato.com Suit by @neptunic_com
Likes : 1197Cristina Zenato - 1.2K Likes - Talking about past eating behavioral problems doesnā€™t mean having them. Talking about past body dismorphia doesnā€™t mean having it. Talking about it all doesnā€™t mean encouraging others to follow suit, far from it. I woke up to a rainstorm of blocked images, including the one I am posting again because someone found the content sentitive and to a series of emails from FB suggesting support against self harm because someone reported me. Before acting, learn to read the whole post not the first ten lines. Before reporting learn to check all the way through. The post was about the journey from struggle to power, to understanding the process, to arriving where I am today. To many I might appear small, but when I can carry three tanks at once from the vehicle to the cave, that is strength that cannot be faked, when I can pull tanks with a rope up a 40ft drop, that is strength, when I can run miles and miles and then go cave diving carrying gear to come back and still take care of a million things, that is strength and to have it, I fuel my body, correctly. I might be small but I am mighty, I have learned my lessons and I am trying to share them for others to find inspiration, strenght and the power to perhaps find their way out.

1.2K Likes – Cristina Zenato Instagram

Caption : Talking about past eating behavioral problems doesnā€™t mean having them. Talking about past body dismorphia doesnā€™t mean having it. Talking about it all doesnā€™t mean encouraging others to follow suit, far from it. I woke up to a rainstorm of blocked images, including the one I am posting again because someone found the content sentitive and to a series of emails from FB suggesting support against self harm because someone reported me. Before acting, learn to read the whole post not the first ten lines. Before reporting learn to check all the way through. The post was about the journey from struggle to power, to understanding the process, to arriving where I am today. To many I might appear small, but when I can carry three tanks at once from the vehicle to the cave, that is strength that cannot be faked, when I can pull tanks with a rope up a 40ft drop, that is strength, when I can run miles and miles and then go cave diving carrying gear to come back and still take care of a million things, that is strength and to have it, I fuel my body, correctly. I might be small but I am mighty, I have learned my lessons and I am trying to share them for others to find inspiration, strenght and the power to perhaps find their way out.
Likes : 1183Cristina Zenato - 1.2K Likes - Talking about past eating behavioral problems doesnā€™t mean having them. Talking about past body dismorphia doesnā€™t mean having it. Talking about it all doesnā€™t mean encouraging others to follow suit, far from it. I woke up to a rainstorm of blocked images, including the one I am posting again because someone found the content sentitive and to a series of emails from FB suggesting support against self harm because someone reported me. Before acting, learn to read the whole post not the first ten lines. Before reporting learn to check all the way through. The post was about the journey from struggle to power, to understanding the process, to arriving where I am today. To many I might appear small, but when I can carry three tanks at once from the vehicle to the cave, that is strength that cannot be faked, when I can pull tanks with a rope up a 40ft drop, that is strength, when I can run miles and miles and then go cave diving carrying gear to come back and still take care of a million things, that is strength and to have it, I fuel my body, correctly. I might be small but I am mighty, I have learned my lessons and I am trying to share them for others to find inspiration, strenght and the power to perhaps find their way out.

1.2K Likes – Cristina Zenato Instagram

Caption : Talking about past eating behavioral problems doesnā€™t mean having them. Talking about past body dismorphia doesnā€™t mean having it. Talking about it all doesnā€™t mean encouraging others to follow suit, far from it. I woke up to a rainstorm of blocked images, including the one I am posting again because someone found the content sentitive and to a series of emails from FB suggesting support against self harm because someone reported me. Before acting, learn to read the whole post not the first ten lines. Before reporting learn to check all the way through. The post was about the journey from struggle to power, to understanding the process, to arriving where I am today. To many I might appear small, but when I can carry three tanks at once from the vehicle to the cave, that is strength that cannot be faked, when I can pull tanks with a rope up a 40ft drop, that is strength, when I can run miles and miles and then go cave diving carrying gear to come back and still take care of a million things, that is strength and to have it, I fuel my body, correctly. I might be small but I am mighty, I have learned my lessons and I am trying to share them for others to find inspiration, strenght and the power to perhaps find their way out.
Likes : 1183Cristina Zenato - 1.1K Likes - The shark approached slowly, gently gliding over my back, slightly hidden by the morning light shining through the water. Her belly was skillfully blended by millions of years of evolution as I looked up. I took a quick image and lowered the camera; I have been here before and seen them many times, but, for a moment, their stories passed through my eyes. I saw an ocean teaming with bountiful sharks, fish, creatures; I saw a world that belonged to them for much longer than we can record in our books and imagine in our studies. In her movement I read the story of an ocean that never included us, yet so necessary for our survival on this planet. I watched as she swam away, never coming closer, and sent with her a wish that we see and understand her value and of all of the others, that we will change our ways, we will pause to let them tell us their stories, before itā€™s too late and we cannot record. Extinction is forever. Image with @isotta_underwater_housings on @shark_explorers for the liveaboard educational trip @kewinlorenzen and I organize several times per year. @waterproofinternational @scubapro @fourthelementdive @diveshearwater @peopleofthewater

1.1K Likes – Cristina Zenato Instagram

Caption : The shark approached slowly, gently gliding over my back, slightly hidden by the morning light shining through the water. Her belly was skillfully blended by millions of years of evolution as I looked up. I took a quick image and lowered the camera; I have been here before and seen them many times, but, for a moment, their stories passed through my eyes. I saw an ocean teaming with bountiful sharks, fish, creatures; I saw a world that belonged to them for much longer than we can record in our books and imagine in our studies. In her movement I read the story of an ocean that never included us, yet so necessary for our survival on this planet. I watched as she swam away, never coming closer, and sent with her a wish that we see and understand her value and of all of the others, that we will change our ways, we will pause to let them tell us their stories, before itā€™s too late and we cannot record. Extinction is forever. Image with @isotta_underwater_housings on @shark_explorers for the liveaboard educational trip @kewinlorenzen and I organize several times per year. @waterproofinternational @scubapro @fourthelementdive @diveshearwater @peopleofthewater
Likes : 1122Cristina Zenato - 1.1K Likes - Have you tried to google if fish, and specifically sharks feel pain? On the internet there is a huge amount of disparete information. It is very confusing and people claim that not having the same receptors we have makes these animals not feel pain. But pain (for the lack of better word) is a necessity of survival, it is a warning, it is a learning step for many creatures. Pain might not feel the same to sharks or fish, but it is present. I have seen it first hand, many times over. I have watched these sharks struggling to keep a fish in their mouth, dive into the sand to remove the hook, suffering of long term infections caused by the lingering lines, twiching their fins trying to dislodge the embedded hooks and the pulling caused by some of them. Direct observation of a repeated behavior, provides in this case, as many others, a more reliable information, and although sharks might not feel the way we do, they still feel their definition of pain. It is time we understand that not everyone has to be measured according to our standards and levels, as not everyone is a mammal, walking on two legs. Image of Nacho with a residual infection left behind by a hook I was able to remove by @kewinlorenzen @isotta_underwater_housings

1.1K Likes – Cristina Zenato Instagram

Caption : Have you tried to google if fish, and specifically sharks feel pain? On the internet there is a huge amount of disparete information. It is very confusing and people claim that not having the same receptors we have makes these animals not feel pain. But pain (for the lack of better word) is a necessity of survival, it is a warning, it is a learning step for many creatures. Pain might not feel the same to sharks or fish, but it is present. I have seen it first hand, many times over. I have watched these sharks struggling to keep a fish in their mouth, dive into the sand to remove the hook, suffering of long term infections caused by the lingering lines, twiching their fins trying to dislodge the embedded hooks and the pulling caused by some of them. Direct observation of a repeated behavior, provides in this case, as many others, a more reliable information, and although sharks might not feel the way we do, they still feel their definition of pain. It is time we understand that not everyone has to be measured according to our standards and levels, as not everyone is a mammal, walking on two legs. Image of Nacho with a residual infection left behind by a hook I was able to remove by @kewinlorenzen @isotta_underwater_housings
Likes : 1111Cristina Zenato - 1.1K Likes - In 2013, Mia showed up at my door and asked to come in; that moment started a transformative journey that would change my life and the lives of many animals. I became more aware of the dire situation of bully breeds, how maligned they are, the issues with dogs and rescues on the island and other places, the displaced, the abandoned, the abused, used, and discarded. In three years, I would end up with three dogs: two bully breeds and one giant rottweiler mix, black like the darkest of cave tunnels. These are another kind of dog maligned because of fur color. After Miaā€™s passing, we would still end up with three, two black, and one bully breed. In between, @kewinlorenzen and I would start rescuing dogs as we found them. I jokingly remember many of them being in the most inopportune moments, from holidays or weekends when the shelter is closed and we kept them on our balcony until the shelter opened again to being nicely dressed for dinner and having the incorrect shoes on to making us late to a boat or picking up a guest. No matter what, we stop and try to rescue them. There are successful stories, stories of loss, stories that break my heart, and some that put a smile on my face; the fact is, these dogs are cutely yet aptly named land sharks because of the incorrect perception about their breed, attitude, and the stigma that bad owners, not bad dogs, have given them. I believe itā€™s not a coincidence that after obtaining the full protection of sharks in The Bahamas in 2011, a cause I was deeply involved in, I would expand the efforts to other animals so inaccurately portrayed by the media and so maligned against. Just as we worked to change the negative perception of sharks, we are now working to do the same for these misunderstood dogs, advocating for their rescue and protection.

1.1K Likes – Cristina Zenato Instagram

Caption : In 2013, Mia showed up at my door and asked to come in; that moment started a transformative journey that would change my life and the lives of many animals. I became more aware of the dire situation of bully breeds, how maligned they are, the issues with dogs and rescues on the island and other places, the displaced, the abandoned, the abused, used, and discarded. In three years, I would end up with three dogs: two bully breeds and one giant rottweiler mix, black like the darkest of cave tunnels. These are another kind of dog maligned because of fur color. After Miaā€™s passing, we would still end up with three, two black, and one bully breed. In between, @kewinlorenzen and I would start rescuing dogs as we found them. I jokingly remember many of them being in the most inopportune moments, from holidays or weekends when the shelter is closed and we kept them on our balcony until the shelter opened again to being nicely dressed for dinner and having the incorrect shoes on to making us late to a boat or picking up a guest. No matter what, we stop and try to rescue them. There are successful stories, stories of loss, stories that break my heart, and some that put a smile on my face; the fact is, these dogs are cutely yet aptly named land sharks because of the incorrect perception about their breed, attitude, and the stigma that bad owners, not bad dogs, have given them. I believe itā€™s not a coincidence that after obtaining the full protection of sharks in The Bahamas in 2011, a cause I was deeply involved in, I would expand the efforts to other animals so inaccurately portrayed by the media and so maligned against. Just as we worked to change the negative perception of sharks, we are now working to do the same for these misunderstood dogs, advocating for their rescue and protection.
Likes : 1099Cristina Zenato - 1.1K Likes - Dear anxiety: an open conversation about a factor in many peopleā€™s lives Itā€™s early morning, and my phone is receiving a lot of messages from different parts of the world; the messages explain the current feelings about mental health and the concerns related to diving. Anxiety, excitement, expectations, and self-judgment, we can add more names to it, are part of many people involved in this industry. It is brought on by goals we set for ourselves that we feel we cannot achieve, by the expectations of perfection, by the comparison we conduct by scrolling through othersā€™ accounts, feeling they have it all sorted out and we donā€™t. When we put ourselves at the edge of our comfort zone and try to go beyond it, itā€™s normal to have some uncomfortable feelings; if we didnā€™t have them, it would mean the mind is not reading itself for the obstacles ahead of us. But in many cases, especially with certain personalities, we become very hard on ourselves; we set it for all, we want it perfect, and we put so much pressure to make it all happen we sometimes self-trigger these reactions. Provided that we had a very long time to work harder and better than our counterparts in these fields, itā€™s typical also to feel inadequate. As I tell my students, everything I know is not by coincidence. One of the ways I cope with the feeling is to acknowledge it, recognize the presence sitting at the table with me, and ask, ā€œWhy are you here?ā€ The simple fact of voicing the feeling over our shoulders makes the presence less threatening and the conversation open. I then search for why that wave is coming over me and threatening to crash me. At times, it might be a painful process, but it is the same as a wound: once we find the source of the pain, we can work to remove it. I have suffered from an overlap of work and relationship situations that brought massive anxiety levels into my life; once I recognized it, I was able to start the process. It was evident that I had to let go of both sources and jump feet-first into a new state. It was interesting to notice with all the uncertainty and fear that the vast jump brought with it, my anxiety instantly dissolved.

1.1K Likes – Cristina Zenato Instagram

Caption : Dear anxiety: an open conversation about a factor in many peopleā€™s lives Itā€™s early morning, and my phone is receiving a lot of messages from different parts of the world; the messages explain the current feelings about mental health and the concerns related to diving. Anxiety, excitement, expectations, and self-judgment, we can add more names to it, are part of many people involved in this industry. It is brought on by goals we set for ourselves that we feel we cannot achieve, by the expectations of perfection, by the comparison we conduct by scrolling through othersā€™ accounts, feeling they have it all sorted out and we donā€™t. When we put ourselves at the edge of our comfort zone and try to go beyond it, itā€™s normal to have some uncomfortable feelings; if we didnā€™t have them, it would mean the mind is not reading itself for the obstacles ahead of us. But in many cases, especially with certain personalities, we become very hard on ourselves; we set it for all, we want it perfect, and we put so much pressure to make it all happen we sometimes self-trigger these reactions. Provided that we had a very long time to work harder and better than our counterparts in these fields, itā€™s typical also to feel inadequate. As I tell my students, everything I know is not by coincidence. One of the ways I cope with the feeling is to acknowledge it, recognize the presence sitting at the table with me, and ask, ā€œWhy are you here?ā€ The simple fact of voicing the feeling over our shoulders makes the presence less threatening and the conversation open. I then search for why that wave is coming over me and threatening to crash me. At times, it might be a painful process, but it is the same as a wound: once we find the source of the pain, we can work to remove it. I have suffered from an overlap of work and relationship situations that brought massive anxiety levels into my life; once I recognized it, I was able to start the process. It was evident that I had to let go of both sources and jump feet-first into a new state. It was interesting to notice with all the uncertainty and fear that the vast jump brought with it, my anxiety instantly dissolved.
Likes : 1079Cristina Zenato - 1.1K Likes - We are not onlyā€¦ More often than not, we allow society to stuff us into a box. People are so used to what we do that they expect us to always and only show that aspect. When we change, when we show a different side of ourselves when we speak about new, creativity, inventiveness, and being a lot more than one box, we may scare many away, we may deter them from following, and we become afraid of whom we want to be and to evolve into. We allow others to stuff us into a box and go quietly into the night. Why? Is it because we fear the consequences if we break out of the box? In a way, have we convinced ourselves that our choices are the only ones we can keep? In life, we change all the time; for sure, we cannot say we are the same age (fill in the blank) as when we were 18 (if you have already passed that age.) While I have an unmovable passion for sharks, oceans, caves, and their conservation, I have always had other interests and loves. I do not wake up every morning thinking only and solely about the sharks (gasp!) I do not always and only need the ocean; I love the mountains and the snow, and I can stay away from the sharks for a few weeks as I stay away from my pups when traveling for work. My diving has changed since I started; I had an encounter with a long-time guest a couple of months ago, and this person was shocked I was no longer guiding groups of divers on regular reef dives, as I did 30 years ago. I was hit with a ā€œOh, you are too good for that, now?ā€ I am not; I have evolved as a scuba diving professional and ocean conservationist. I have seen and experienced different environments, I have matured, and I have changed. Who I am today doesnā€™t make me less than what I was yesterday, and I can be many different aspects in one. As I always say, we need to follow the heart in life, and the heart knows whatā€™s best for us. When we deal with people, letā€™s try not to put them into a box and to try to watch them from different angles, understanding we come in 360 and not in a flat digital format. Image from a special day in the mountains while visiting my family and being caught up under a major snow storm by @kewinlorenzen

1.1K Likes – Cristina Zenato Instagram

Caption : We are not onlyā€¦ More often than not, we allow society to stuff us into a box. People are so used to what we do that they expect us to always and only show that aspect. When we change, when we show a different side of ourselves when we speak about new, creativity, inventiveness, and being a lot more than one box, we may scare many away, we may deter them from following, and we become afraid of whom we want to be and to evolve into. We allow others to stuff us into a box and go quietly into the night. Why? Is it because we fear the consequences if we break out of the box? In a way, have we convinced ourselves that our choices are the only ones we can keep? In life, we change all the time; for sure, we cannot say we are the same age (fill in the blank) as when we were 18 (if you have already passed that age.) While I have an unmovable passion for sharks, oceans, caves, and their conservation, I have always had other interests and loves. I do not wake up every morning thinking only and solely about the sharks (gasp!) I do not always and only need the ocean; I love the mountains and the snow, and I can stay away from the sharks for a few weeks as I stay away from my pups when traveling for work. My diving has changed since I started; I had an encounter with a long-time guest a couple of months ago, and this person was shocked I was no longer guiding groups of divers on regular reef dives, as I did 30 years ago. I was hit with a ā€œOh, you are too good for that, now?ā€ I am not; I have evolved as a scuba diving professional and ocean conservationist. I have seen and experienced different environments, I have matured, and I have changed. Who I am today doesnā€™t make me less than what I was yesterday, and I can be many different aspects in one. As I always say, we need to follow the heart in life, and the heart knows whatā€™s best for us. When we deal with people, letā€™s try not to put them into a box and to try to watch them from different angles, understanding we come in 360 and not in a flat digital format. Image from a special day in the mountains while visiting my family and being caught up under a major snow storm by @kewinlorenzen
Likes : 1056Cristina Zenato - 1K Likes - "I am a galaxy I am 450 million years old I have been here before your time, before the time of the trees I have swam around Pangea and I have shared the oceans with ancient dinosaurs, And yet, now, I am at risk, my survival is threatened by your commercial and recreational fishing pressures, your impact on the seabed and our preys, and damage and loss from your coastal development and marine pollution I am a galaxy and I am trying to survive" - Cristina Zenato Close up image of Tiger Shark eye Maria, at Tiger Beach, Grand Bahama Island by @kewinlorenzen @isotta_underwater_housings

1K Likes – Cristina Zenato Instagram

Caption : “I am a galaxy I am 450 million years old I have been here before your time, before the time of the trees I have swam around Pangea and I have shared the oceans with ancient dinosaurs, And yet, now, I am at risk, my survival is threatened by your commercial and recreational fishing pressures, your impact on the seabed and our preys, and damage and loss from your coastal development and marine pollution I am a galaxy and I am trying to survive” – Cristina Zenato Close up image of Tiger Shark eye Maria, at Tiger Beach, Grand Bahama Island by @kewinlorenzen @isotta_underwater_housings
Likes : 1044Cristina Zenato - 1K Likes - If we always follow a plan we might miss an opportunity. When I started in this industry I had a plan, and it had nothing to do with scuba diving as a profession. Within months the plan disappeared and my life changed course. In the last few years it has changed over and over again; each time I didnā€™t follow a plan but I listened to what was my deepest desire and tried to realize it, changing yet again along the way. Keeping my mind open, keeping listening to what was really what mattered to me, I was able to catch opportunities I would otherwise ignore because not part of a ā€œplan.ā€ Many friends and well wishing people worry about my lack of plan for when I age, retire, become unable to do what I do, but the fact is, that while we plan for when we stop, we sacrifice doing what we really love to do. In a way itā€™s scary, at the same time, itā€™s what has allowed me to cross paths with @kewinlorenzen and for the two of us to build something new and unique, which we know, eventually will be subject to change. Image by @madeline.g.kennedy taken during our recent project together.

1K Likes – Cristina Zenato Instagram

Caption : If we always follow a plan we might miss an opportunity. When I started in this industry I had a plan, and it had nothing to do with scuba diving as a profession. Within months the plan disappeared and my life changed course. In the last few years it has changed over and over again; each time I didnā€™t follow a plan but I listened to what was my deepest desire and tried to realize it, changing yet again along the way. Keeping my mind open, keeping listening to what was really what mattered to me, I was able to catch opportunities I would otherwise ignore because not part of a ā€œplan.ā€ Many friends and well wishing people worry about my lack of plan for when I age, retire, become unable to do what I do, but the fact is, that while we plan for when we stop, we sacrifice doing what we really love to do. In a way itā€™s scary, at the same time, itā€™s what has allowed me to cross paths with @kewinlorenzen and for the two of us to build something new and unique, which we know, eventually will be subject to change. Image by @madeline.g.kennedy taken during our recent project together.
Likes : 1025Cristina Zenato - 1K Likes - A message from my hotel room as I wait to present at Faena Rose about my life dedicated to exploration, education and conservation. What do we celebrate today? Or better what is this day about? Itā€™s about celebrating women, empowering and uplifting them, but what are some of the actions we can do from where we are? Support women business, support and celebrate peers, invite other women to join us to experience what we experience, teach, share, educate, but mostly speak up and letā€™s make sure that those who try to stop us they canā€™t, because united we are a force to reckon.

1K Likes – Cristina Zenato Instagram

Caption : A message from my hotel room as I wait to present at Faena Rose about my life dedicated to exploration, education and conservation. What do we celebrate today? Or better what is this day about? Itā€™s about celebrating women, empowering and uplifting them, but what are some of the actions we can do from where we are? Support women business, support and celebrate peers, invite other women to join us to experience what we experience, teach, share, educate, but mostly speak up and letā€™s make sure that those who try to stop us they canā€™t, because united we are a force to reckon.
Likes : 1001Cristina Zenato - 1K Likes - ā€œShark Yourselfā€ One place in the world, under my direct supervision, in direct contact with this beautiful and special shiver of Caribbean Reef sharks where we reach out and touch them as they approach, we donā€™t redirect, and welcome them in our lap and connect through my guidance, instructions and experience of 31 years leading divers to feel something new, something deeply different that has changed the perspective and the life of so many who have tried this before. With @kewinlorenzen photography and videography, experience something that lasts a lifetime. For more info www.cristinazenato.com With @neptunic_com @waterproofinternational @diveshearwater @isotta_underwater_housings

1K Likes – Cristina Zenato Instagram

Caption : ā€œShark Yourselfā€ One place in the world, under my direct supervision, in direct contact with this beautiful and special shiver of Caribbean Reef sharks where we reach out and touch them as they approach, we donā€™t redirect, and welcome them in our lap and connect through my guidance, instructions and experience of 31 years leading divers to feel something new, something deeply different that has changed the perspective and the life of so many who have tried this before. With @kewinlorenzen photography and videography, experience something that lasts a lifetime. For more info www.cristinazenato.com With @neptunic_com @waterproofinternational @diveshearwater @isotta_underwater_housings
Likes : 997Cristina Zenato - 1K Likes - Change is something we often consider and dream about. We want to make a change, starting something new, trying something different. We want to leave what we know for the dream that has been floating in our minds. We may have been thinking about leaving a more regular life for something extraordinary. Change comes into our minds often and for a while; we consider it, debate, and often back down after looking into options or toying with a few ideas. There is an instinct to love comfort and certainty; we wait for the "right" time to do things. Mostly, we hope that will be when it's convenient, comfortable, and easy to have a clear vision of what we want to do and a perfectly laid out path for us to follow. The more we wait for this "right," the further away our dreams feel. So we come up with a series of justifications; we don't feel ready or confident, we don't have the necessary amount of time, we first have to wait for others to complete their journey so we can start ours (read kids, partner, parents, or career) I have learned that there are no guarantees in life, no matter how much we plan and wait; but I know for a fact, or as I say to my students, "everything I know is not by coincidence" that if we wait until the life we have is perfectly aligned to build the life we want, it will never happen. Through my life, career, and those I met along the way, I realized that those who appear successful and have what they want didn't wait; they just got started. I launched on my first life change in one week, and that included moving 6000 miles away from home and loved ones. And along the way, we fail, try, stumble, fall, and fail again, only to try once more. We feel the same emotions others feel, from sometimes a level of inadequacy to a lack of preparation. Still, instead of using them as an excuse to back down, we use them as a motivator to improve where needed and up our skills to continue. And when we sit there and think that we are not seeing what we hoped for in the time frame we planned, I always use these two sentences to help: "We have to be beginners before we can be anything else," and "A small action is better than no big action." Image @kewinlorenzen

1K Likes – Cristina Zenato Instagram

Caption : Change is something we often consider and dream about. We want to make a change, starting something new, trying something different. We want to leave what we know for the dream that has been floating in our minds. We may have been thinking about leaving a more regular life for something extraordinary. Change comes into our minds often and for a while; we consider it, debate, and often back down after looking into options or toying with a few ideas. There is an instinct to love comfort and certainty; we wait for the “right” time to do things. Mostly, we hope that will be when it’s convenient, comfortable, and easy to have a clear vision of what we want to do and a perfectly laid out path for us to follow. The more we wait for this “right,” the further away our dreams feel. So we come up with a series of justifications; we don’t feel ready or confident, we don’t have the necessary amount of time, we first have to wait for others to complete their journey so we can start ours (read kids, partner, parents, or career) I have learned that there are no guarantees in life, no matter how much we plan and wait; but I know for a fact, or as I say to my students, “everything I know is not by coincidence” that if we wait until the life we have is perfectly aligned to build the life we want, it will never happen. Through my life, career, and those I met along the way, I realized that those who appear successful and have what they want didn’t wait; they just got started. I launched on my first life change in one week, and that included moving 6000 miles away from home and loved ones. And along the way, we fail, try, stumble, fall, and fail again, only to try once more. We feel the same emotions others feel, from sometimes a level of inadequacy to a lack of preparation. Still, instead of using them as an excuse to back down, we use them as a motivator to improve where needed and up our skills to continue. And when we sit there and think that we are not seeing what we hoped for in the time frame we planned, I always use these two sentences to help: “We have to be beginners before we can be anything else,” and “A small action is better than no big action.” Image @kewinlorenzen
Likes : 988Cristina Zenato - 1K Likes - I changed my life for you. From one day to another, I left everything I had and moved here from 6000 miles away to be with you every day, every moment. It was 30 years ago, and I still need more time with you, with each one of you. You have filled my life in a way I could never have imagined, and I have loved you since I was a little girl. I have learned through your silent lessons, your beautiful presence, the truth behind the lies about who you are and how you behave; I have sat on the floor with you in my lap and felt your gentle breathing movement and hoped I could sit there forever. If there is a moment I remember forever, itā€™s this moment, every time, every day, every chance. Itā€™s the moment you show me; you show us that connection is possible, no matter the species, language, or differences that may separate us. Image by @kewinlorenzen @neptunic_com @isotta_underwater_housings @waterproofinternational @scubapro

1K Likes – Cristina Zenato Instagram

Caption : I changed my life for you. From one day to another, I left everything I had and moved here from 6000 miles away to be with you every day, every moment. It was 30 years ago, and I still need more time with you, with each one of you. You have filled my life in a way I could never have imagined, and I have loved you since I was a little girl. I have learned through your silent lessons, your beautiful presence, the truth behind the lies about who you are and how you behave; I have sat on the floor with you in my lap and felt your gentle breathing movement and hoped I could sit there forever. If there is a moment I remember forever, itā€™s this moment, every time, every day, every chance. Itā€™s the moment you show me; you show us that connection is possible, no matter the species, language, or differences that may separate us. Image by @kewinlorenzen @neptunic_com @isotta_underwater_housings @waterproofinternational @scubapro
Likes : 982Cristina Zenato - 1K Likes - What is cold? Is it a specific temperature, or a personal feeling that changes due to situations, life (younger or older), being used to a particular climate, diving frequently or not, being a woman, or a man? The PADI manual recommends planning a dive 10ft deeper when the water is cold. I always ask my students: When should we consider planning 10ft deeper? The answer is personal. Cold is personal, it is affected by many variables that it will never even be the same for us under the same circumstances. When I dive, I want to be focused on the dive; I like to be alert and comfortable to take care of my divers, and students. Being cold is a deterrent factor, it can be debilitating and distracting, and if not taken care of, it can lead to dangerous situations fueled by poor and slow decision-making. This year, I have upgraded to a semi-dry wetsuit for all my shark adventures. Its first test run on our last ten-day liveaboard trip was outstanding. We completed dives up to two and a half hours, and I never once felt a hint of being cold, no goosebumps, and no shivering. The heated vests we had previously used with our thinner suits stayed stashed in the cabin the entire time. I cringe when people post a šŸ˜‚ or try to make it a competition on "how cold" it is where they are compared to me. I find it demeaning and disrespectful. It is a trend I notice in some of my posts. I don't care; I wear what I need to feel comfortable and ready, however, that attitude and mindset can lead newer and less secure divers to make the incorrect thermal choice, fearing being ridiculed for their need to feel warm and comfortable. It is time we understand that each person is different and that instead of telling someone which suit they need for "warm" water, we tell them what the water temperature is and ask them what they used before and what was the water temperature there and how they felt during the dives, and even after the dives so we can assist in making an educated estimate of the best suit for their needs. šŸ“ø@kewinlorenzen @waterproofinternational

1K Likes – Cristina Zenato Instagram

Caption : What is cold? Is it a specific temperature, or a personal feeling that changes due to situations, life (younger or older), being used to a particular climate, diving frequently or not, being a woman, or a man? The PADI manual recommends planning a dive 10ft deeper when the water is cold. I always ask my students: When should we consider planning 10ft deeper? The answer is personal. Cold is personal, it is affected by many variables that it will never even be the same for us under the same circumstances. When I dive, I want to be focused on the dive; I like to be alert and comfortable to take care of my divers, and students. Being cold is a deterrent factor, it can be debilitating and distracting, and if not taken care of, it can lead to dangerous situations fueled by poor and slow decision-making. This year, I have upgraded to a semi-dry wetsuit for all my shark adventures. Its first test run on our last ten-day liveaboard trip was outstanding. We completed dives up to two and a half hours, and I never once felt a hint of being cold, no goosebumps, and no shivering. The heated vests we had previously used with our thinner suits stayed stashed in the cabin the entire time. I cringe when people post a šŸ˜‚ or try to make it a competition on “how cold” it is where they are compared to me. I find it demeaning and disrespectful. It is a trend I notice in some of my posts. I don’t care; I wear what I need to feel comfortable and ready, however, that attitude and mindset can lead newer and less secure divers to make the incorrect thermal choice, fearing being ridiculed for their need to feel warm and comfortable. It is time we understand that each person is different and that instead of telling someone which suit they need for “warm” water, we tell them what the water temperature is and ask them what they used before and what was the water temperature there and how they felt during the dives, and even after the dives so we can assist in making an educated estimate of the best suit for their needs. šŸ“ø@kewinlorenzen @waterproofinternational
Likes : 972Cristina Zenato - 1K Likes - In our small world of shark lovers we do not realize how much the word Shark creates a fearful reaction in most of the public. And even when we post videos of our time with different species, showing how they swim among us and interact with us we are still met with incredulity. One of the hardest jobs for me is to make people understand that what we experience is the reality of diving with sharks, not what is created by an imagination fueled by incorrect and hyped up information. Join @kewinlorenzen and I on our liveaboard trips to learn more about sharks, dive with them, experience their presence and surface with a new understanding of the word ā€œsharkā€ Each trip we take only six guests for a private and dedicated experience; filled with lots of different dives and encounters with up to seven species of sharks, we talk sharks, conservation and while I provide educational presentations, Kewin captures images and videos of our experiences above and below the water, we send at the end of the trip. Only a few spots left for 2024 and 2025. 2024 at $5714 per person January 16-26 one male spot left March 1-11 one female and one male spots left (separate cabins) November 17-27 (fully booked) For 2025 at $5924 per person January 22 -February 12 spots (1 cabin) February 4th - 14th (fully booked) November 14th - 24th(fully booked) For more details contact info@cristinazenato.com Video of our dives and encounters with tiger sharks yesterday, November 7th 2023on board @shark_explorers @isotta_underwater_housings @waterproofinternational

1K Likes – Cristina Zenato Instagram

Caption : In our small world of shark lovers we do not realize how much the word Shark creates a fearful reaction in most of the public. And even when we post videos of our time with different species, showing how they swim among us and interact with us we are still met with incredulity. One of the hardest jobs for me is to make people understand that what we experience is the reality of diving with sharks, not what is created by an imagination fueled by incorrect and hyped up information. Join @kewinlorenzen and I on our liveaboard trips to learn more about sharks, dive with them, experience their presence and surface with a new understanding of the word ā€œsharkā€ Each trip we take only six guests for a private and dedicated experience; filled with lots of different dives and encounters with up to seven species of sharks, we talk sharks, conservation and while I provide educational presentations, Kewin captures images and videos of our experiences above and below the water, we send at the end of the trip. Only a few spots left for 2024 and 2025. 2024 at $5714 per person January 16-26 one male spot left March 1-11 one female and one male spots left (separate cabins) November 17-27 (fully booked) For 2025 at $5924 per person January 22 -February 12 spots (1 cabin) February 4th – 14th (fully booked) November 14th – 24th(fully booked) For more details contact [email protected] Video of our dives and encounters with tiger sharks yesterday, November 7th 2023on board @shark_explorers @isotta_underwater_housings @waterproofinternational
Likes : 972Cristina Zenato - 1K Likes - A relationship with my local shiver of Caribbean Reef sharks is built over time spent together, repetition of behaviors, knowledge and understanding. It starts with an invite for touch and it progresses into some individuals coming into my lap and allowing me to pet them. No interaction is forced, the individual shark allowed to come in and leave as they please. This is how we build an encounter with them. To learn more and experience it check www.cristinazenato.com Link in Bio Video @cristinazenato

1K Likes – Cristina Zenato Instagram

Caption : A relationship with my local shiver of Caribbean Reef sharks is built over time spent together, repetition of behaviors, knowledge and understanding. It starts with an invite for touch and it progresses into some individuals coming into my lap and allowing me to pet them. No interaction is forced, the individual shark allowed to come in and leave as they please. This is how we build an encounter with them. To learn more and experience it check www.cristinazenato.com Link in Bio Video @cristinazenato
Likes : 968Cristina Zenato - 1K Likes - You should! How many times and in how many different forms have we heard this? How often are we told how we should run them? We should fill in the blanks of what others would like our lives to evolve into as if doing something different is not the correct way. It even applies to my social media, on what I should and should not post, discuss, or write about. There is tremendous pressure from society to stick to some timelines and roles throughout our lives, which goes for both men and women. I do not talk often about some of my profound choices, for example, being childless, but I believe it's essential we do not feel stuck or defined by only a specific role. We are more than a title, an accomplishment, or a role. We can be whatever we want to be. So, yes, we should be free to make our choices, decide what is best for us now, change our minds without repercussions, and live the lives we feel happy with, not the lives others think we should pursue. Wearing @neptunic_com performance long sleeve

1K Likes – Cristina Zenato Instagram

Caption : You should! How many times and in how many different forms have we heard this? How often are we told how we should run them? We should fill in the blanks of what others would like our lives to evolve into as if doing something different is not the correct way. It even applies to my social media, on what I should and should not post, discuss, or write about. There is tremendous pressure from society to stick to some timelines and roles throughout our lives, which goes for both men and women. I do not talk often about some of my profound choices, for example, being childless, but I believe it’s essential we do not feel stuck or defined by only a specific role. We are more than a title, an accomplishment, or a role. We can be whatever we want to be. So, yes, we should be free to make our choices, decide what is best for us now, change our minds without repercussions, and live the lives we feel happy with, not the lives others think we should pursue. Wearing @neptunic_com performance long sleeve
Likes : 956Cristina Zenato - 0.9K Likes - Of the many arguments around shark diving tourism is that we should leave sharks alone. It is a great concept and one I would wholeheartedly agree with. If a healthy population of sharks existed, we would see sharks everywhere. Unfortunately, our presence on this planet and the changes we have caused since the industrial revolution have put tremendous pressure on the oceans, including sharks. Most sharks present a combination of slow growth and late sexual maturity, long gestation periods and small litters. Combining these elements doesnā€™t allow sharks to compensate for the pressure posed by modern fishing. The high demand for shark fin soup and by-catch has put a strain on populations worldwide, bringing many species on the verge of extinction. Sharks are a vital component in the food web; as an apex predator and mesopredator. Healthy and protected populations of sharks guarantee balanced eco-systems. Sharks play an essential role in maintaining an equilibrium between the species on the food web. They act as ocean cleaners and remove weak, sick, and dead creatures. By keeping control over the number of individuals per species, they maintain coral reef and seagrass habitats, contributing to a broader diversity and concentration of individuals. Shark tourism is a viable solution to shark conservation through economic benefits. Governments, such as The Bahamas, Palau, and Fiji, have realized the economic and natural advantages of promoting shark tourism and protecting sharks. The Bahamas register an average annual 113.8 million dollars in revenue in shark tourism, 109.4 million directly from shark diving. These numbers exclude the extra income produced by the additional activities conducted both by the divers and the traveling partners during a single stay in the Country for shark diving. Shark Diving Tourism is currently beneficial to both sharks and the local economies; however, like anything else, it needs to be conducted with consideration for the people involved, the people who might visit the area before or after and the sharks themselves. But these points are for the next post! šŸ“ø by @kewinlorenzen during our CZKL liveaboard trip

0.9K Likes – Cristina Zenato Instagram

Caption : Of the many arguments around shark diving tourism is that we should leave sharks alone. It is a great concept and one I would wholeheartedly agree with. If a healthy population of sharks existed, we would see sharks everywhere. Unfortunately, our presence on this planet and the changes we have caused since the industrial revolution have put tremendous pressure on the oceans, including sharks. Most sharks present a combination of slow growth and late sexual maturity, long gestation periods and small litters. Combining these elements doesnā€™t allow sharks to compensate for the pressure posed by modern fishing. The high demand for shark fin soup and by-catch has put a strain on populations worldwide, bringing many species on the verge of extinction. Sharks are a vital component in the food web; as an apex predator and mesopredator. Healthy and protected populations of sharks guarantee balanced eco-systems. Sharks play an essential role in maintaining an equilibrium between the species on the food web. They act as ocean cleaners and remove weak, sick, and dead creatures. By keeping control over the number of individuals per species, they maintain coral reef and seagrass habitats, contributing to a broader diversity and concentration of individuals. Shark tourism is a viable solution to shark conservation through economic benefits. Governments, such as The Bahamas, Palau, and Fiji, have realized the economic and natural advantages of promoting shark tourism and protecting sharks. The Bahamas register an average annual 113.8 million dollars in revenue in shark tourism, 109.4 million directly from shark diving. These numbers exclude the extra income produced by the additional activities conducted both by the divers and the traveling partners during a single stay in the Country for shark diving. Shark Diving Tourism is currently beneficial to both sharks and the local economies; however, like anything else, it needs to be conducted with consideration for the people involved, the people who might visit the area before or after and the sharks themselves. But these points are for the next post! šŸ“ø by @kewinlorenzen during our CZKL liveaboard trip
Likes : 931Cristina Zenato - 0.9K Likes - One size does not fit all I said it before I say it again There are over 500 species of sharks, we canā€™t find a one response to all situations with one species nor we can find a one answer for all species. šŸ‘‰ my biggest recommendation if we have concerns, is to evaluate location, ask locals about the presence of animals, about where to go, what to do (or not to do) about recommended times. We hear that knowledge is power, letā€™s acquire the knowledge to better understand our position as visitors in a world to which we donā€™t belong. šŸ’™ šŸ¦ˆ

0.9K Likes – Cristina Zenato Instagram

Caption : One size does not fit all I said it before I say it again There are over 500 species of sharks, we canā€™t find a one response to all situations with one species nor we can find a one answer for all species. šŸ‘‰ my biggest recommendation if we have concerns, is to evaluate location, ask locals about the presence of animals, about where to go, what to do (or not to do) about recommended times. We hear that knowledge is power, letā€™s acquire the knowledge to better understand our position as visitors in a world to which we donā€™t belong. šŸ’™ šŸ¦ˆ
Likes : 930Cristina Zenato - 0.9K Likes - I have recently celebrated another spin around the sun. What does it mean for me? Another year to ponder, evolve, develop and hopefully to inspire the future generations to protect our oceans and the sharks. Another year to appreciate even more this precious gift called life. But mostly another year to learn more that ā€œThere is no explanation requiredā€ for following our dreams, and for staying true to our hearts. It is not always easy to keep the external voices trying to convince us that what we are doing is not, full in the blank. Those words are a projection of their fears, their doubts, their frustrations, they are not really directed at us. For that reason we donā€™t need to explain who, why, when. We need to be, that is the best explanation and example we can provide. Wearing @slipinsurfskins

0.9K Likes – Cristina Zenato Instagram

Caption : I have recently celebrated another spin around the sun. What does it mean for me? Another year to ponder, evolve, develop and hopefully to inspire the future generations to protect our oceans and the sharks. Another year to appreciate even more this precious gift called life. But mostly another year to learn more that ā€œThere is no explanation requiredā€ for following our dreams, and for staying true to our hearts. It is not always easy to keep the external voices trying to convince us that what we are doing is not, full in the blank. Those words are a projection of their fears, their doubts, their frustrations, they are not really directed at us. For that reason we donā€™t need to explain who, why, when. We need to be, that is the best explanation and example we can provide. Wearing @slipinsurfskins
Likes : 925Cristina Zenato - 897 Likes - The business of shark and ocean conservation I recently received comments about loving my work but being disappointed about the commercial side of some of my posts. The comment shamed me for using an emotional connection to a token I was wearing that was part of raising funds for our work and told me they hoped I would find myself again. I am all here that I can guarantee. I am commercial; I have to be commercial. I learned to be a little more as I used to feel guilty charging for my services, knowledge, expertise, and years of dedicated work. Like everyone else, I have to make a living, and my living is made by being a professional scuba diver, providing unique encounters and experiences with sharks, teaching and guiding in caves, and using tech gear such as rebreathers. I use products I love, I have purchased and used for years before we started to collaborate, and in exchange, we support each other in our work and mission. It is an aspect we need to accept to keep functioning and being able to continue our contribution. In return, I use my income to welcome students into my life, to teach them for free, to conduct online education free of charge, to explore, map, and collect data for caves we submit for review and conservation, to go out and remove hooks from sharks on our time off, to provide images and content to many who are seeking support for their educational and conservation mission and so much more. Many of these actions we do not advertise; we do them. Being commercial is one aspect of the business; it does not take away from who we are, what we do with all our heart, and the results of our efforts. Image @kewinlorenzen @neptunic_com

897 Likes – Cristina Zenato Instagram

Caption : The business of shark and ocean conservation I recently received comments about loving my work but being disappointed about the commercial side of some of my posts. The comment shamed me for using an emotional connection to a token I was wearing that was part of raising funds for our work and told me they hoped I would find myself again. I am all here that I can guarantee. I am commercial; I have to be commercial. I learned to be a little more as I used to feel guilty charging for my services, knowledge, expertise, and years of dedicated work. Like everyone else, I have to make a living, and my living is made by being a professional scuba diver, providing unique encounters and experiences with sharks, teaching and guiding in caves, and using tech gear such as rebreathers. I use products I love, I have purchased and used for years before we started to collaborate, and in exchange, we support each other in our work and mission. It is an aspect we need to accept to keep functioning and being able to continue our contribution. In return, I use my income to welcome students into my life, to teach them for free, to conduct online education free of charge, to explore, map, and collect data for caves we submit for review and conservation, to go out and remove hooks from sharks on our time off, to provide images and content to many who are seeking support for their educational and conservation mission and so much more. Many of these actions we do not advertise; we do them. Being commercial is one aspect of the business; it does not take away from who we are, what we do with all our heart, and the results of our efforts. Image @kewinlorenzen @neptunic_com
Likes : 897Cristina Zenato - 892 Likes - Life is made of small, special shared moments, of laughter with friends and family, of experiences that make us happy and feel alive, of the present time, the steps we have taken in the right direction to make us feel alive, happy and fulfilled. Letā€™s not worry too much about having the perfect hair, the wrinkles-less face and the eternal youth as with time and experience come wisdom and a special gift called memories. Every day I make a point to pause, watch what I had just been watching with a different intent and focus on realizing how special the moment is. Some may might think itā€™s easy doing this when living this life but I have done the same exercise while in a taxi heading to Los Angeles airport at 3 am, I paused the thought, here is a moment that goes into a memory. I took in the empty and quiet streets, the darkness and the strange feeling for an island girl to be right there in that moment. Selfie taken at sunrise on our liveaboard trip around The Bahamas to encounter and learn more about sharks.

892 Likes – Cristina Zenato Instagram

Caption : Life is made of small, special shared moments, of laughter with friends and family, of experiences that make us happy and feel alive, of the present time, the steps we have taken in the right direction to make us feel alive, happy and fulfilled. Letā€™s not worry too much about having the perfect hair, the wrinkles-less face and the eternal youth as with time and experience come wisdom and a special gift called memories. Every day I make a point to pause, watch what I had just been watching with a different intent and focus on realizing how special the moment is. Some may might think itā€™s easy doing this when living this life but I have done the same exercise while in a taxi heading to Los Angeles airport at 3 am, I paused the thought, here is a moment that goes into a memory. I took in the empty and quiet streets, the darkness and the strange feeling for an island girl to be right there in that moment. Selfie taken at sunrise on our liveaboard trip around The Bahamas to encounter and learn more about sharks.
Likes : 892Cristina Zenato - 885 Likes - Itā€™s International Womenā€™s Day! I thought long and hard about this post. I have had some amazing inspirational women guide some of my choices through the years in my career, many of which I have been able to share time, dinners and conversations with. I wish I could list them all and yet I am afraid to miss someone; so I decided to summarize my admiration for those women who inspired me, trailblazed and broke glass ceilings through the biggest recognition for my mom. My mom is the quiet strength of many women out there. As an only child, she let me ā€œgoā€ to pursue my dreams and my passions. Never once mentioned how that affected her so it wouldnā€™t affect me, never once she used it as guilt trip to get me back (and trust me, I have seen some moms doing that to some of my friends.) Instead she stood strong and when I asked her why she did it, she said she wanted me to have the freedom and opportunities she not always had growing up as a woman in her time. Today, like most days, mom is 6000 miles away and I miss her. Happy International Womenā€™s day!

885 Likes – Cristina Zenato Instagram

Caption : Itā€™s International Womenā€™s Day! I thought long and hard about this post. I have had some amazing inspirational women guide some of my choices through the years in my career, many of which I have been able to share time, dinners and conversations with. I wish I could list them all and yet I am afraid to miss someone; so I decided to summarize my admiration for those women who inspired me, trailblazed and broke glass ceilings through the biggest recognition for my mom. My mom is the quiet strength of many women out there. As an only child, she let me ā€œgoā€ to pursue my dreams and my passions. Never once mentioned how that affected her so it wouldnā€™t affect me, never once she used it as guilt trip to get me back (and trust me, I have seen some moms doing that to some of my friends.) Instead she stood strong and when I asked her why she did it, she said she wanted me to have the freedom and opportunities she not always had growing up as a woman in her time. Today, like most days, mom is 6000 miles away and I miss her. Happy International Womenā€™s day!
Likes : 885Cristina Zenato - 882 Likes - "Redirect The Shark!" I want to review this concept as it is diluted within the flurry of social media posts. I am a great advocate for sharks and our understanding of their world and behavior. To do this, we need to consider sharks by species, location, and behaviors, understand if they are used to human presence, and then adapt to them. No one formula works for all, itā€™s what I call ā€œOne Size Does Not Fit All.ā€ If we see a shark approaching, for the most part, we will be okay. The sharks that might pose a risk to a swimmer or diver are traditionally ambush hunters, and they are called like that because they ambush. While we are so used to seeing sharks languidly swimming around divers, we need to remember that a shark in a more active mode can move at the speed of lightning. It is so fast, so sudden, that our "redirect" won't mean anything. When I introduce my students to the dive with our particular group of Caribbean Reef, I instruct them to let the sharks come in and to keep relaxed and still so they will come closer. We can do that because we know them, and they know us. This behavior might not be ideal in other cases and species. We might want to be more alert and present, less "quiet" to indicate to the animal that we are aware of them and simply asking to share their space. The worry I have about the "redirecting" is that it does not explain and disclose that these sharks are used to human presence; they are not in an active mode and are simply coming closer to a human because humans have conditioned them to do so. There is nothing wrong with conditioning in itself when it is in a known, specific area, i.e., Tiger Beach, but a shark not used to that interaction won't approach that way. Redirecting is not a solution; sharks generally avoid divers and humans. I am worried that this trend may cause a false sense of security when, in fact, the best security is learning about sharks as a species, but also as location, as behavior, and how to best enter their world and sometimes, only sometimes, how to decide to stay out of it. Learn more https://cristinazenato.com/courses/ šŸ“ø @kewinlorenzen with @isotta_underwater_housings @neptunic_com

882 Likes – Cristina Zenato Instagram

Caption : “Redirect The Shark!” I want to review this concept as it is diluted within the flurry of social media posts. I am a great advocate for sharks and our understanding of their world and behavior. To do this, we need to consider sharks by species, location, and behaviors, understand if they are used to human presence, and then adapt to them. No one formula works for all, itā€™s what I call ā€œOne Size Does Not Fit All.ā€ If we see a shark approaching, for the most part, we will be okay. The sharks that might pose a risk to a swimmer or diver are traditionally ambush hunters, and they are called like that because they ambush. While we are so used to seeing sharks languidly swimming around divers, we need to remember that a shark in a more active mode can move at the speed of lightning. It is so fast, so sudden, that our “redirect” won’t mean anything. When I introduce my students to the dive with our particular group of Caribbean Reef, I instruct them to let the sharks come in and to keep relaxed and still so they will come closer. We can do that because we know them, and they know us. This behavior might not be ideal in other cases and species. We might want to be more alert and present, less “quiet” to indicate to the animal that we are aware of them and simply asking to share their space. The worry I have about the “redirecting” is that it does not explain and disclose that these sharks are used to human presence; they are not in an active mode and are simply coming closer to a human because humans have conditioned them to do so. There is nothing wrong with conditioning in itself when it is in a known, specific area, i.e., Tiger Beach, but a shark not used to that interaction won’t approach that way. Redirecting is not a solution; sharks generally avoid divers and humans. I am worried that this trend may cause a false sense of security when, in fact, the best security is learning about sharks as a species, but also as location, as behavior, and how to best enter their world and sometimes, only sometimes, how to decide to stay out of it. Learn more https://cristinazenato.com/courses/ šŸ“ø @kewinlorenzen with @isotta_underwater_housings @neptunic_com
Likes : 882Cristina Zenato - 869 Likes - JAWS the movie: can we give it a rest? With a lifetime dedicated to working with sharks, sooner or later, the conversation falls on JAWS. Not only has it caused damage to the reputation of sharks, but it has also caused physical damage to the shark populations after it was released. I do not deny that the following hysteria was caused and stirred to high levels by the motion picture. Still, the more I hear about it, the more I disagree with these thoughts. The fact is that poor Mr. Benchley didnā€™t even make the movie; he wrote a novel in 1974, directed by Steven Spielberg, and the Jaws movie, released in June 1975. The movie and the novel are works of fiction and fantasy and very well done for that time. Neither Peter Benchley nor Stephen Spielberg created a documentary nor advertised it as such. So, why do ā€œJawsā€ still affects people after so many decades? The response is in the people, not the movie. The focus needs to shift from the sharks to us. Jaws taps into the fear of the unknown and the sense of powerlessness towards the oceans. As humans, we are used to conquering and transforming our environments. There is nothing we can use in the water to our advantage; the shark becomes the symbol of our incapability and the target of our fear, triggered by the lack of control. The description of a sharkā€™s behavior enters the anthropomorphic interpretation of animal behavior. We project our feelings and actions onto an animal so distinctively different from us. We cannot compare sharksā€™ emotional range to humans or other mammals. Simply put, sharks do not have a mean demeanor. The root of the word ignorance comes from the Latin ā€œignoratio,ā€ which means without knowledge. In that sense, we are ignorant of their world and lives and remain afraid of what we do not understand. The only power that Jaws had and has is the one the individuals give to it. The true answer to resolving it is learning about sharks, the wide variety of shark species and behaviors, and how rare it is to experience a negative encounter between sharks and humans. @isotta_underwater_housings @waterproofinternational @scubapro @peopleofthewater

869 Likes – Cristina Zenato Instagram

Caption : JAWS the movie: can we give it a rest? With a lifetime dedicated to working with sharks, sooner or later, the conversation falls on JAWS. Not only has it caused damage to the reputation of sharks, but it has also caused physical damage to the shark populations after it was released. I do not deny that the following hysteria was caused and stirred to high levels by the motion picture. Still, the more I hear about it, the more I disagree with these thoughts. The fact is that poor Mr. Benchley didnā€™t even make the movie; he wrote a novel in 1974, directed by Steven Spielberg, and the Jaws movie, released in June 1975. The movie and the novel are works of fiction and fantasy and very well done for that time. Neither Peter Benchley nor Stephen Spielberg created a documentary nor advertised it as such. So, why do ā€œJawsā€ still affects people after so many decades? The response is in the people, not the movie. The focus needs to shift from the sharks to us. Jaws taps into the fear of the unknown and the sense of powerlessness towards the oceans. As humans, we are used to conquering and transforming our environments. There is nothing we can use in the water to our advantage; the shark becomes the symbol of our incapability and the target of our fear, triggered by the lack of control. The description of a sharkā€™s behavior enters the anthropomorphic interpretation of animal behavior. We project our feelings and actions onto an animal so distinctively different from us. We cannot compare sharksā€™ emotional range to humans or other mammals. Simply put, sharks do not have a mean demeanor. The root of the word ignorance comes from the Latin ā€œignoratio,ā€ which means without knowledge. In that sense, we are ignorant of their world and lives and remain afraid of what we do not understand. The only power that Jaws had and has is the one the individuals give to it. The true answer to resolving it is learning about sharks, the wide variety of shark species and behaviors, and how rare it is to experience a negative encounter between sharks and humans. @isotta_underwater_housings @waterproofinternational @scubapro @peopleofthewater
Likes : 869Cristina Zenato - 847 Likes - It was a childhood dream to have sharks for friends while monitoring the ocean and making sure divers would not damage it. It was dismissed at best, but following our heart is the best gift we could give ourselves. And so I did, 31 years of pursuing a dream that I have been able to make come true. A dream that has opened the doors to more adventures, more experiences, incredible encounters and life lasting memories, and friendships. My love for sharks has brought me the most unexpected moments; my obsession in pursuing my dream regardless of the ā€œnoā€ ā€œnot for youā€ ā€œā€crazy dreamā€ and many more opportunities taken away has lead me to be more determined. There is no direct road, mapped way, there is no guarantee, none whatā€™s so ever and yet itā€™s the most amazing gift we can give ourselves, to listen to our soul. So take flight, give it a try, and say yes to living the life you dream instead of dreaming of the life you wish you had. With @waterproofinternational @diveshearwater @scubapro @fourthelementdive @isotta_underwater_housings

847 Likes – Cristina Zenato Instagram

Caption : It was a childhood dream to have sharks for friends while monitoring the ocean and making sure divers would not damage it. It was dismissed at best, but following our heart is the best gift we could give ourselves. And so I did, 31 years of pursuing a dream that I have been able to make come true. A dream that has opened the doors to more adventures, more experiences, incredible encounters and life lasting memories, and friendships. My love for sharks has brought me the most unexpected moments; my obsession in pursuing my dream regardless of the ā€œnoā€ ā€œnot for youā€ ā€œā€crazy dreamā€ and many more opportunities taken away has lead me to be more determined. There is no direct road, mapped way, there is no guarantee, none whatā€™s so ever and yet itā€™s the most amazing gift we can give ourselves, to listen to our soul. So take flight, give it a try, and say yes to living the life you dream instead of dreaming of the life you wish you had. With @waterproofinternational @diveshearwater @scubapro @fourthelementdive @isotta_underwater_housings
Likes : 847Cristina Zenato - 837 Likes - The most important lesson we need to learn is that the ocean belongs to sharks and not to us. We are the invited guests into their world and we should behave the same as when invited into someoneā€™s home. If we based our behavior and interaction on this inevitable truth we will learn that we need to protect rather than destroy, understand rather than fear, appreciate rather than damage. We teach this and more during our ten day nine day expedition to meet up to different species of sharks in The Bahamas. We share diving, conversations, education, we learn about the differences, we spend time in the water with them and we surface with a better understanding of the word ā€œshark.ā€ Learn more about our trips at www.cristinazenato.com With @neptunic_com

837 Likes – Cristina Zenato Instagram

Caption : The most important lesson we need to learn is that the ocean belongs to sharks and not to us. We are the invited guests into their world and we should behave the same as when invited into someoneā€™s home. If we based our behavior and interaction on this inevitable truth we will learn that we need to protect rather than destroy, understand rather than fear, appreciate rather than damage. We teach this and more during our ten day nine day expedition to meet up to different species of sharks in The Bahamas. We share diving, conversations, education, we learn about the differences, we spend time in the water with them and we surface with a better understanding of the word ā€œshark.ā€ Learn more about our trips at www.cristinazenato.com With @neptunic_com
Likes : 837Cristina Zenato - 834 Likes - There is a part of me that is somewhat known, Cristina and her sharks, the hooks I remove, the diving I conduct Officially, I am a professional scuba diving instructor trainer, technical diving instructor, cave explorer, shark ecologist and behaviorist, underwater photographer, writer and speaker, with thirty years in the field & a few recognitions for my work I live my life by exploration, education & conservation. My work is my passion, my passion is my life, it is all blended in a mix of teaching, diving, exploring, together with giving back, mentoring & hosting, educating and involving. At the same time I am a person, with my good days and my bad ones, I have my insecurities and my quirks, l get tired and sometimes irritable. I have a sense of "sharkasm" some might not get when they first meet me (or when I attempt and fail with written messages) a love for life that has me collect sunrise and sunset pictures in my phone by the 1000s, who rescues dogs, no matter what and where, who has her heart broken, her hopes crashed, her dreams canceled, only to start all over again. I can haul gear through the bush and hack my way with a machete till my arm is about to fall off to reach the place I want to go; I equally love putting on a dress and enjoy a quiet and family time. I love to read, listen to music, exercise. I dedicated my life to my passion and obsession. I met Kewin Lorenzen at age 46, he understood that our love affair included a third party, my passion for what I do. He embraced the whole of me, the dogs, the exploration, the education, the conservation, the quirks. He expanded and enriched it. (not the quirks) We married and have been together 7 years. I love to mix and match people, bring them together in the common love for the ocean. Nothing makes happier than receiving images from different divers and students I met at separate times and who are now meeting and thinking of me. I am an emotional creature, aware of her shortcomings, trying to do her best, sometimes not successfully, but with a constant love for life that fuels every action of my day. It all starts with a good cup of coffee. With @kewinlorenzen

834 Likes – Cristina Zenato Instagram

Caption : There is a part of me that is somewhat known, Cristina and her sharks, the hooks I remove, the diving I conduct Officially, I am a professional scuba diving instructor trainer, technical diving instructor, cave explorer, shark ecologist and behaviorist, underwater photographer, writer and speaker, with thirty years in the field & a few recognitions for my work I live my life by exploration, education & conservation. My work is my passion, my passion is my life, it is all blended in a mix of teaching, diving, exploring, together with giving back, mentoring & hosting, educating and involving. At the same time I am a person, with my good days and my bad ones, I have my insecurities and my quirks, l get tired and sometimes irritable. I have a sense of “sharkasm” some might not get when they first meet me (or when I attempt and fail with written messages) a love for life that has me collect sunrise and sunset pictures in my phone by the 1000s, who rescues dogs, no matter what and where, who has her heart broken, her hopes crashed, her dreams canceled, only to start all over again. I can haul gear through the bush and hack my way with a machete till my arm is about to fall off to reach the place I want to go; I equally love putting on a dress and enjoy a quiet and family time. I love to read, listen to music, exercise. I dedicated my life to my passion and obsession. I met Kewin Lorenzen at age 46, he understood that our love affair included a third party, my passion for what I do. He embraced the whole of me, the dogs, the exploration, the education, the conservation, the quirks. He expanded and enriched it. (not the quirks) We married and have been together 7 years. I love to mix and match people, bring them together in the common love for the ocean. Nothing makes happier than receiving images from different divers and students I met at separate times and who are now meeting and thinking of me. I am an emotional creature, aware of her shortcomings, trying to do her best, sometimes not successfully, but with a constant love for life that fuels every action of my day. It all starts with a good cup of coffee. With @kewinlorenzen
Likes : 834Cristina Zenato - 832 Likes - Humans tend to interpret animal behavior according to our standards, sensory systems, and logic. Sharks are first nose and hearing, pressure vibration (lateral line), vision, electro vibration (Ampullae of Lorenzini), touch, temperature, and taste, in that order. Although we cannot use our sense of smell underwater unless it's extreme, like the sulfur we find in the caves, sharks have a highly defined sense of smell, so much that up to two-thirds of the total weight of a shark's brain is dedicated to it. Each of us emits unique scents and hormonal secretions. Thanks to their highly developed sensory system, the sharks I work with can detect my unique scent, my heartbeat, my particular movement through the water, and my electro vibrations. They don't need to 'see' me to know it's me. Follow for more information about shark senses. Images by @kewinlorenzen @isotta_underwater_housings @neptunic_com

832 Likes – Cristina Zenato Instagram

Caption : Humans tend to interpret animal behavior according to our standards, sensory systems, and logic. Sharks are first nose and hearing, pressure vibration (lateral line), vision, electro vibration (Ampullae of Lorenzini), touch, temperature, and taste, in that order. Although we cannot use our sense of smell underwater unless it’s extreme, like the sulfur we find in the caves, sharks have a highly defined sense of smell, so much that up to two-thirds of the total weight of a shark’s brain is dedicated to it. Each of us emits unique scents and hormonal secretions. Thanks to their highly developed sensory system, the sharks I work with can detect my unique scent, my heartbeat, my particular movement through the water, and my electro vibrations. They don’t need to ‘see’ me to know it’s me. Follow for more information about shark senses. Images by @kewinlorenzen @isotta_underwater_housings @neptunic_com
Likes : 832Cristina Zenato - 830 Likes - "Sharks are not killing machines; they are animals, breathing, thinking, and useful creatures worth our attention. Kindly leave the 1970s and join us in the 21st century!" It's the pinned tweet on my account, and yet, after posting this image, I received the following comments: "Chomp chomp - that is a foreboding breed!" "Fish and fish food. Got it." The sad part is that the second comment comes from the account self-described as -An unofficial team of scientists & activists in & around Yellowstone. Posting photos, ideas, and solutions, because we can change the world together.- followed by their pinned post, "Signing off tonight with this reminder "They are living, thinking, feeling beings And they deserve our respect, even if we haven't earned theirs. One love" Yet even this community cannot disconnect from the incorrect perception of sharks and cannot see them as they ask us to see other creatures. Their comment is a basic example of the battle we are still fighting; environmentalists and scientists are scared by an image of a diver taking a picture of a fish. They are not seeing the image in their minds; they are seeing what they want to believe instead of what is in front of them. We have a lot more work to do. This is an image of @kewinlorenzen taking a picture of Maria, tiger shark, as she swims over his head during our recent liveaboard trip to encounter, learn about, and understand more sharks. Join us on board @shark_explorers with only a few spots left for 2024 and 2025. 2024 at $5714 per person January 16-26 one male spot left March 1-11 one female and one male spots left (separate cabins) November 17-27 (fully booked) For 2025 at $5924 per person January 22 -February 1, two spots (1 cabin) February 4th - 14th (fully booked) November 14th - 24th(fully booked) For more details contact info@cristinazenato.com With @isotta_underwater_housings @waterproofinternational

830 Likes – Cristina Zenato Instagram

Caption : “Sharks are not killing machines; they are animals, breathing, thinking, and useful creatures worth our attention. Kindly leave the 1970s and join us in the 21st century!” It’s the pinned tweet on my account, and yet, after posting this image, I received the following comments: “Chomp chomp – that is a foreboding breed!” “Fish and fish food. Got it.” The sad part is that the second comment comes from the account self-described as -An unofficial team of scientists & activists in & around Yellowstone. Posting photos, ideas, and solutions, because we can change the world together.- followed by their pinned post, “Signing off tonight with this reminder “They are living, thinking, feeling beings And they deserve our respect, even if we haven’t earned theirs. One love” Yet even this community cannot disconnect from the incorrect perception of sharks and cannot see them as they ask us to see other creatures. Their comment is a basic example of the battle we are still fighting; environmentalists and scientists are scared by an image of a diver taking a picture of a fish. They are not seeing the image in their minds; they are seeing what they want to believe instead of what is in front of them. We have a lot more work to do. This is an image of @kewinlorenzen taking a picture of Maria, tiger shark, as she swims over his head during our recent liveaboard trip to encounter, learn about, and understand more sharks. Join us on board @shark_explorers with only a few spots left for 2024 and 2025. 2024 at $5714 per person January 16-26 one male spot left March 1-11 one female and one male spots left (separate cabins) November 17-27 (fully booked) For 2025 at $5924 per person January 22 -February 1, two spots (1 cabin) February 4th – 14th (fully booked) November 14th – 24th(fully booked) For more details contact [email protected] With @isotta_underwater_housings @waterproofinternational
Likes : 830Cristina Zenato - 819 Likes - I often receive different questions about the shiver of Caribbean Reef sharks I work with. šŸ‘‰some answers šŸ‘‡ 1. We name the sharks after a repeated recorded presence of at least six months on the site 2. We wait to see which markings stay and do not disappear in the time the new shark keeps coming back; we usually pick three to four different markings to first ID the shark, then keep the one that remains 3. Yes they are all mostly girls; males occasionally show up when injured, sick or during mating season 4. The girls show up when sexually mature, at about 3ft long 5. In Caribbean Reef sexual maturity is by size not age 6. We record them with video and ID images, measure them and keep a data base 6. We also keep a log of each sighting each time 7. The name is decided based on the markings to make the ID fast and the connection between a person seeing them and recognizing them immediately 8. A name reflects a marking, sometimes together with a personal trait. 9. They are individuals, they act and think differently and with each one the relationship is slightly different 10. The longest recorded presence has been 14 years; they live an average of 15-18 years. @neptunic_com @scubapro @waterproofinternational

819 Likes – Cristina Zenato Instagram

Caption : I often receive different questions about the shiver of Caribbean Reef sharks I work with. šŸ‘‰some answers šŸ‘‡ 1. We name the sharks after a repeated recorded presence of at least six months on the site 2. We wait to see which markings stay and do not disappear in the time the new shark keeps coming back; we usually pick three to four different markings to first ID the shark, then keep the one that remains 3. Yes they are all mostly girls; males occasionally show up when injured, sick or during mating season 4. The girls show up when sexually mature, at about 3ft long 5. In Caribbean Reef sexual maturity is by size not age 6. We record them with video and ID images, measure them and keep a data base 6. We also keep a log of each sighting each time 7. The name is decided based on the markings to make the ID fast and the connection between a person seeing them and recognizing them immediately 8. A name reflects a marking, sometimes together with a personal trait. 9. They are individuals, they act and think differently and with each one the relationship is slightly different 10. The longest recorded presence has been 14 years; they live an average of 15-18 years. @neptunic_com @scubapro @waterproofinternational
Likes : 819Cristina Zenato - 817 Likes - It has been a while since we mentioned some of the girls (Caribbean Reef Sharks) present on the site. Some of the old guard are gone, some are still here. In total we have twelve girls, one boy (new) and one nurse shark (male.) In this video Nacho, six years on the site, named after the notch on her dorsal fin and a nacho size marking on her body, Hook, currently the longest resident with Crook at 13 years of presence, named after the hook shape of her bottom dorsal fin and Peggy, five years on the site, missing a small part of her left pectoral fin, peg-Peggy. Filmed at Shark Junction, Grand Bahama where we dive and operate with this special shiver of gorgeous ladies. @neptunic_com @waterproofinternational

817 Likes – Cristina Zenato Instagram

Caption : It has been a while since we mentioned some of the girls (Caribbean Reef Sharks) present on the site. Some of the old guard are gone, some are still here. In total we have twelve girls, one boy (new) and one nurse shark (male.) In this video Nacho, six years on the site, named after the notch on her dorsal fin and a nacho size marking on her body, Hook, currently the longest resident with Crook at 13 years of presence, named after the hook shape of her bottom dorsal fin and Peggy, five years on the site, missing a small part of her left pectoral fin, peg-Peggy. Filmed at Shark Junction, Grand Bahama where we dive and operate with this special shiver of gorgeous ladies. @neptunic_com @waterproofinternational
Likes : 817Cristina Zenato - 805 Likes - I watched for the 1000s time these different species of sharks, some considered ā€œdangerousā€ or even ā€œaggressive,ā€ a word I do not like to use to describe animals, sharing their space with our small group of divers during our liveaboard experience. Although I have been here many times before, I have seen all of this unfolding over and over; my brain could not stop going back to the negative push that sometimes organized shark dives receive, mainly from those who have never been on one and do not understand sharks and their behavior. I watched Tiger sharks mixing with Bulls, Lemons, and the Caribbean, all cruising in front, around, and behind each other and our divers, and once again wished that everyone could watch this, realize the reality of sharing the space with sharks, and how with knowledge and understanding it is possible to learn more, love more and ultimately protect more. Images taken by me yesterday during one dive: Bull Shark, Carcharhinus leucas Lemon Shark, Negaprion brevirostris Tiger Shark, Galeocerdo cuvier Tiger sharks swimming over divers Lemon shark resting in between divers With @kewinlorenzen on board @shark_explorers for our liveaboard trip to learn more about the sharks in The Bahamas. @isotta_underwater_housings @waterproofinternational @scubapro @fourthelementdive

805 Likes – Cristina Zenato Instagram

Caption : I watched for the 1000s time these different species of sharks, some considered ā€œdangerousā€ or even ā€œaggressive,ā€ a word I do not like to use to describe animals, sharing their space with our small group of divers during our liveaboard experience. Although I have been here many times before, I have seen all of this unfolding over and over; my brain could not stop going back to the negative push that sometimes organized shark dives receive, mainly from those who have never been on one and do not understand sharks and their behavior. I watched Tiger sharks mixing with Bulls, Lemons, and the Caribbean, all cruising in front, around, and behind each other and our divers, and once again wished that everyone could watch this, realize the reality of sharing the space with sharks, and how with knowledge and understanding it is possible to learn more, love more and ultimately protect more. Images taken by me yesterday during one dive: Bull Shark, Carcharhinus leucas Lemon Shark, Negaprion brevirostris Tiger Shark, Galeocerdo cuvier Tiger sharks swimming over divers Lemon shark resting in between divers With @kewinlorenzen on board @shark_explorers for our liveaboard trip to learn more about the sharks in The Bahamas. @isotta_underwater_housings @waterproofinternational @scubapro @fourthelementdive
Likes : 805Cristina Zenato - 805 Likes - I watched for the 1000s time these different species of sharks, some considered ā€œdangerousā€ or even ā€œaggressive,ā€ a word I do not like to use to describe animals, sharing their space with our small group of divers during our liveaboard experience. Although I have been here many times before, I have seen all of this unfolding over and over; my brain could not stop going back to the negative push that sometimes organized shark dives receive, mainly from those who have never been on one and do not understand sharks and their behavior. I watched Tiger sharks mixing with Bulls, Lemons, and the Caribbean, all cruising in front, around, and behind each other and our divers, and once again wished that everyone could watch this, realize the reality of sharing the space with sharks, and how with knowledge and understanding it is possible to learn more, love more and ultimately protect more. Images taken by me yesterday during one dive: Bull Shark, Carcharhinus leucas Lemon Shark, Negaprion brevirostris Tiger Shark, Galeocerdo cuvier Tiger sharks swimming over divers Lemon shark resting in between divers With @kewinlorenzen on board @shark_explorers for our liveaboard trip to learn more about the sharks in The Bahamas. @isotta_underwater_housings @waterproofinternational @scubapro @fourthelementdive

805 Likes – Cristina Zenato Instagram

Caption : I watched for the 1000s time these different species of sharks, some considered ā€œdangerousā€ or even ā€œaggressive,ā€ a word I do not like to use to describe animals, sharing their space with our small group of divers during our liveaboard experience. Although I have been here many times before, I have seen all of this unfolding over and over; my brain could not stop going back to the negative push that sometimes organized shark dives receive, mainly from those who have never been on one and do not understand sharks and their behavior. I watched Tiger sharks mixing with Bulls, Lemons, and the Caribbean, all cruising in front, around, and behind each other and our divers, and once again wished that everyone could watch this, realize the reality of sharing the space with sharks, and how with knowledge and understanding it is possible to learn more, love more and ultimately protect more. Images taken by me yesterday during one dive: Bull Shark, Carcharhinus leucas Lemon Shark, Negaprion brevirostris Tiger Shark, Galeocerdo cuvier Tiger sharks swimming over divers Lemon shark resting in between divers With @kewinlorenzen on board @shark_explorers for our liveaboard trip to learn more about the sharks in The Bahamas. @isotta_underwater_housings @waterproofinternational @scubapro @fourthelementdive
Likes : 805Cristina Zenato - 805 Likes - I watched for the 1000s time these different species of sharks, some considered ā€œdangerousā€ or even ā€œaggressive,ā€ a word I do not like to use to describe animals, sharing their space with our small group of divers during our liveaboard experience. Although I have been here many times before, I have seen all of this unfolding over and over; my brain could not stop going back to the negative push that sometimes organized shark dives receive, mainly from those who have never been on one and do not understand sharks and their behavior. I watched Tiger sharks mixing with Bulls, Lemons, and the Caribbean, all cruising in front, around, and behind each other and our divers, and once again wished that everyone could watch this, realize the reality of sharing the space with sharks, and how with knowledge and understanding it is possible to learn more, love more and ultimately protect more. Images taken by me yesterday during one dive: Bull Shark, Carcharhinus leucas Lemon Shark, Negaprion brevirostris Tiger Shark, Galeocerdo cuvier Tiger sharks swimming over divers Lemon shark resting in between divers With @kewinlorenzen on board @shark_explorers for our liveaboard trip to learn more about the sharks in The Bahamas. @isotta_underwater_housings @waterproofinternational @scubapro @fourthelementdive

805 Likes – Cristina Zenato Instagram

Caption : I watched for the 1000s time these different species of sharks, some considered ā€œdangerousā€ or even ā€œaggressive,ā€ a word I do not like to use to describe animals, sharing their space with our small group of divers during our liveaboard experience. Although I have been here many times before, I have seen all of this unfolding over and over; my brain could not stop going back to the negative push that sometimes organized shark dives receive, mainly from those who have never been on one and do not understand sharks and their behavior. I watched Tiger sharks mixing with Bulls, Lemons, and the Caribbean, all cruising in front, around, and behind each other and our divers, and once again wished that everyone could watch this, realize the reality of sharing the space with sharks, and how with knowledge and understanding it is possible to learn more, love more and ultimately protect more. Images taken by me yesterday during one dive: Bull Shark, Carcharhinus leucas Lemon Shark, Negaprion brevirostris Tiger Shark, Galeocerdo cuvier Tiger sharks swimming over divers Lemon shark resting in between divers With @kewinlorenzen on board @shark_explorers for our liveaboard trip to learn more about the sharks in The Bahamas. @isotta_underwater_housings @waterproofinternational @scubapro @fourthelementdive
Likes : 805Cristina Zenato - 805 Likes - I watched for the 1000s time these different species of sharks, some considered ā€œdangerousā€ or even ā€œaggressive,ā€ a word I do not like to use to describe animals, sharing their space with our small group of divers during our liveaboard experience. Although I have been here many times before, I have seen all of this unfolding over and over; my brain could not stop going back to the negative push that sometimes organized shark dives receive, mainly from those who have never been on one and do not understand sharks and their behavior. I watched Tiger sharks mixing with Bulls, Lemons, and the Caribbean, all cruising in front, around, and behind each other and our divers, and once again wished that everyone could watch this, realize the reality of sharing the space with sharks, and how with knowledge and understanding it is possible to learn more, love more and ultimately protect more. Images taken by me yesterday during one dive: Bull Shark, Carcharhinus leucas Lemon Shark, Negaprion brevirostris Tiger Shark, Galeocerdo cuvier Tiger sharks swimming over divers Lemon shark resting in between divers With @kewinlorenzen on board @shark_explorers for our liveaboard trip to learn more about the sharks in The Bahamas. @isotta_underwater_housings @waterproofinternational @scubapro @fourthelementdive

805 Likes – Cristina Zenato Instagram

Caption : I watched for the 1000s time these different species of sharks, some considered ā€œdangerousā€ or even ā€œaggressive,ā€ a word I do not like to use to describe animals, sharing their space with our small group of divers during our liveaboard experience. Although I have been here many times before, I have seen all of this unfolding over and over; my brain could not stop going back to the negative push that sometimes organized shark dives receive, mainly from those who have never been on one and do not understand sharks and their behavior. I watched Tiger sharks mixing with Bulls, Lemons, and the Caribbean, all cruising in front, around, and behind each other and our divers, and once again wished that everyone could watch this, realize the reality of sharing the space with sharks, and how with knowledge and understanding it is possible to learn more, love more and ultimately protect more. Images taken by me yesterday during one dive: Bull Shark, Carcharhinus leucas Lemon Shark, Negaprion brevirostris Tiger Shark, Galeocerdo cuvier Tiger sharks swimming over divers Lemon shark resting in between divers With @kewinlorenzen on board @shark_explorers for our liveaboard trip to learn more about the sharks in The Bahamas. @isotta_underwater_housings @waterproofinternational @scubapro @fourthelementdive
Likes : 805Cristina Zenato - 805 Likes - I watched for the 1000s time these different species of sharks, some considered ā€œdangerousā€ or even ā€œaggressive,ā€ a word I do not like to use to describe animals, sharing their space with our small group of divers during our liveaboard experience. Although I have been here many times before, I have seen all of this unfolding over and over; my brain could not stop going back to the negative push that sometimes organized shark dives receive, mainly from those who have never been on one and do not understand sharks and their behavior. I watched Tiger sharks mixing with Bulls, Lemons, and the Caribbean, all cruising in front, around, and behind each other and our divers, and once again wished that everyone could watch this, realize the reality of sharing the space with sharks, and how with knowledge and understanding it is possible to learn more, love more and ultimately protect more. Images taken by me yesterday during one dive: Bull Shark, Carcharhinus leucas Lemon Shark, Negaprion brevirostris Tiger Shark, Galeocerdo cuvier Tiger sharks swimming over divers Lemon shark resting in between divers With @kewinlorenzen on board @shark_explorers for our liveaboard trip to learn more about the sharks in The Bahamas. @isotta_underwater_housings @waterproofinternational @scubapro @fourthelementdive

805 Likes – Cristina Zenato Instagram

Caption : I watched for the 1000s time these different species of sharks, some considered ā€œdangerousā€ or even ā€œaggressive,ā€ a word I do not like to use to describe animals, sharing their space with our small group of divers during our liveaboard experience. Although I have been here many times before, I have seen all of this unfolding over and over; my brain could not stop going back to the negative push that sometimes organized shark dives receive, mainly from those who have never been on one and do not understand sharks and their behavior. I watched Tiger sharks mixing with Bulls, Lemons, and the Caribbean, all cruising in front, around, and behind each other and our divers, and once again wished that everyone could watch this, realize the reality of sharing the space with sharks, and how with knowledge and understanding it is possible to learn more, love more and ultimately protect more. Images taken by me yesterday during one dive: Bull Shark, Carcharhinus leucas Lemon Shark, Negaprion brevirostris Tiger Shark, Galeocerdo cuvier Tiger sharks swimming over divers Lemon shark resting in between divers With @kewinlorenzen on board @shark_explorers for our liveaboard trip to learn more about the sharks in The Bahamas. @isotta_underwater_housings @waterproofinternational @scubapro @fourthelementdive
Likes : 805Cristina Zenato - 794 Likes - When you love someone deeply, you want the world to know about them and feel like you do. The best way for me to share my love for sharks is to share it through direct introduction and contact. Every time, no matter how often I can introduce someone to my particular shiver of Caribbean Reef shark girls, I see the change in the person, a new connection, and a new understanding. I have been doing this for the last thirty years, and I have touched something more profound and different. Doing so has created a new ambassador, a new voice for the sharks. It is a voice adding to the chorus of those of us invested in the ocean, especially shark conservation. Image by @kewinlorenzen during one of my most recent shark courses. For more details visit https://cristinazenato.com/courses/ @neptunic_com @isotta_underwater_housings

794 Likes – Cristina Zenato Instagram

Caption : When you love someone deeply, you want the world to know about them and feel like you do. The best way for me to share my love for sharks is to share it through direct introduction and contact. Every time, no matter how often I can introduce someone to my particular shiver of Caribbean Reef shark girls, I see the change in the person, a new connection, and a new understanding. I have been doing this for the last thirty years, and I have touched something more profound and different. Doing so has created a new ambassador, a new voice for the sharks. It is a voice adding to the chorus of those of us invested in the ocean, especially shark conservation. Image by @kewinlorenzen during one of my most recent shark courses. For more details visit https://cristinazenato.com/courses/ @neptunic_com @isotta_underwater_housings
Likes : 794Cristina Zenato - 791 Likes - After returning from New Orleans and attending DEMA, a yearly diving professional convention, I received a few comments and questions about the city and my experience. While I was there, we received many warnings about the cityā€™s dangers; we were told not to walk anywhere and always to catch a cab, which we never did. We walked everywhere, stepped through busy areas, jumped across many stinky and sticky items on the roads, skipped many rats, and experienced the little we could with the short time we had before having to spend more of our days inside the conference hall. Reflecting on my experience, I realized big cities are not for me; they never have been. I vaguely remember visiting New Orleans back in 2000, and the memory and feeling have mainly stayed the same. This place gives me a sense of sadness and yet a sense of marvel. I didnā€™t like the display of the use and abuse we humans subject ourselves through addictions; I felt sad seeing so many people wasted, many living in ways seeking peace of mind and happiness, that it would be hard to find where they are looking. At the same time, I enjoyed the history dripping from the walls, rising from the ground, the mixing of cultures, and the background of what bringing together different languages, cultures, and attitudes can create. There was beauty in the details, creativity on the corners of different streets, and expression of the soul. This experience made me realize how we sometimes search for fulfillment somewhere out there, how we tend to run away from our problems, thinking they would get better on their own, without noticing that we keep carrying ourselves and that actual change only comes from within. I completed the journey some time ago, and viewing it from the outside was fascinating. We are the reason for our being. We can leave and travel and change location, but while we do that, we need to change how we perceive ourselves, learn to accept who we are, and use our energy to better our lives from within. Image @kewinlorenzen

791 Likes – Cristina Zenato Instagram

Caption : After returning from New Orleans and attending DEMA, a yearly diving professional convention, I received a few comments and questions about the city and my experience. While I was there, we received many warnings about the cityā€™s dangers; we were told not to walk anywhere and always to catch a cab, which we never did. We walked everywhere, stepped through busy areas, jumped across many stinky and sticky items on the roads, skipped many rats, and experienced the little we could with the short time we had before having to spend more of our days inside the conference hall. Reflecting on my experience, I realized big cities are not for me; they never have been. I vaguely remember visiting New Orleans back in 2000, and the memory and feeling have mainly stayed the same. This place gives me a sense of sadness and yet a sense of marvel. I didnā€™t like the display of the use and abuse we humans subject ourselves through addictions; I felt sad seeing so many people wasted, many living in ways seeking peace of mind and happiness, that it would be hard to find where they are looking. At the same time, I enjoyed the history dripping from the walls, rising from the ground, the mixing of cultures, and the background of what bringing together different languages, cultures, and attitudes can create. There was beauty in the details, creativity on the corners of different streets, and expression of the soul. This experience made me realize how we sometimes search for fulfillment somewhere out there, how we tend to run away from our problems, thinking they would get better on their own, without noticing that we keep carrying ourselves and that actual change only comes from within. I completed the journey some time ago, and viewing it from the outside was fascinating. We are the reason for our being. We can leave and travel and change location, but while we do that, we need to change how we perceive ourselves, learn to accept who we are, and use our energy to better our lives from within. Image @kewinlorenzen
Likes : 791Cristina Zenato - 786 Likes - Let's talk Tiger Sharks. I have received so many questions about these incredibly fascinating yet often maligned creatures, I decided to share a few facts. They get their name from the characteristic vertical bars covering the sides of their body. Though very noticeable in juveniles, these stripes fade once they reach adulthood. They can reach up to 18 feet (5.5 m) in length and 2000 pounds (1 ton) in weight. They are the fourth largest shark (behind the whale, basking, and great white sharks) and the second largest predatory shark. They live 30 years. Their diet is one of the most diverse, including fish and invertebrates, seabirds, sea turtles, marine mammals, rays, smaller sharks, sea snakes, and scavenged dead animals. Depending on the area, they specialize in one type of prey; for example, in The Bahamas, a big part of their diet consists of turtles. Tiger sharks mate via internal fertilization (males have two organs known as claspers) and are ovoviparous. That means the embryos develop inside individual eggs inside the uterus until they hatch. Then, the mother gives birth to live juveniles. On average, she gives birth to 30 to 35 young. Like all other shark species, once sharks are born, they have no parental care and are left to fend for themselves. While adult tiger sharks have no natural predators, juveniles may be eaten by other sharks, including adult tiger sharks. Juveniles and adults live in slightly different habitats for this and other reasons. The juveniles live in more protected and shallow areas, while the adults live in the open ocean and coral reefs. The current status of the tiger shark is "near threatened" with extinction. Beautiful image by @kewinlorenzen on our November Tiger Beach Join us for these special trips, max six guests. We only have a few spots left for 2024 and 2025. 2024 at $5714 per person January 16-26 one male spot left March 1-11 one female and one male spots left (separate cabins) November 17-27 (fully booked) For 2025 at $5924 per person January 22 -February 1, two spots (1 cabin) February 4th - 14th (fully booked) November 14th - 24th(fully booked) For more details contact info@cristinazenato.com

786 Likes – Cristina Zenato Instagram

Caption : Let’s talk Tiger Sharks. I have received so many questions about these incredibly fascinating yet often maligned creatures, I decided to share a few facts. They get their name from the characteristic vertical bars covering the sides of their body. Though very noticeable in juveniles, these stripes fade once they reach adulthood. They can reach up to 18 feet (5.5 m) in length and 2000 pounds (1 ton) in weight. They are the fourth largest shark (behind the whale, basking, and great white sharks) and the second largest predatory shark. They live 30 years. Their diet is one of the most diverse, including fish and invertebrates, seabirds, sea turtles, marine mammals, rays, smaller sharks, sea snakes, and scavenged dead animals. Depending on the area, they specialize in one type of prey; for example, in The Bahamas, a big part of their diet consists of turtles. Tiger sharks mate via internal fertilization (males have two organs known as claspers) and are ovoviparous. That means the embryos develop inside individual eggs inside the uterus until they hatch. Then, the mother gives birth to live juveniles. On average, she gives birth to 30 to 35 young. Like all other shark species, once sharks are born, they have no parental care and are left to fend for themselves. While adult tiger sharks have no natural predators, juveniles may be eaten by other sharks, including adult tiger sharks. Juveniles and adults live in slightly different habitats for this and other reasons. The juveniles live in more protected and shallow areas, while the adults live in the open ocean and coral reefs. The current status of the tiger shark is “near threatened” with extinction. Beautiful image by @kewinlorenzen on our November Tiger Beach Join us for these special trips, max six guests. We only have a few spots left for 2024 and 2025. 2024 at $5714 per person January 16-26 one male spot left March 1-11 one female and one male spots left (separate cabins) November 17-27 (fully booked) For 2025 at $5924 per person January 22 -February 1, two spots (1 cabin) February 4th – 14th (fully booked) November 14th – 24th(fully booked) For more details contact [email protected]
Likes : 786Cristina Zenato - 781 Likes - Day 2 Question 2 The Average Day Following is a summary of what a day on the island might look like. I usually wake up around 5 am. It is my solo time in the darkness and silence of the apartment. Then, I start by checking social media and answering questions coming from those parts of the world already up. By 6 am, I prepare coffee, and with Kewin, we start working on emails, requests, and social media posts. By 7 am, I will be out the door to walk the pups and complete the morning run. Then the controlled chaos starts: it's a mix of preparation, carrying gear, diving, teaching, walking to and from the caves, following projects, testing gear, more diving, more teaching, picking up and dropping off guests. Depending on the day we finish, between 2 and 4 pm, clean and put away gear, prepare for the next day, dash home to walk the pups, check emails, jump on calls, and catch up with what I missed by not checking the phones for hours. In the midst, there is always the time to stop and rescue animals as needed, no matter what we are doing. Time is spent looking at the calendar, selecting images, editing vidcos, discussing new ideas and issucs, and addressing everything related to running a two-person and non-profit operation. Of course, the video does not share the daily routine of life: cleaning, laundry, grocery shopping, cooking, and eating, which we fit in between all other duties. My day is not so average; it is never a set schedule. During a week, I cave dive, then sharks, and go back to the cave to have a day to catch up on phone calls and emails and take more time with the pups or to use the time for personal ideas and projects. The nature of being obsessed with what I do and loving it beyond being a job blurs the boundaries of time on and off. Doing what I do is a life calling; it does not have a clock-in and clock-out system. Occasionally, it makes me mentally and physically tired, but it also allows me to tap into the same for more energy and dedication. How do I stay centered and rested? How do I prevent burnout after 30 years of daily diving, teaching, and being on the front line? I will address that tomorrow with Day 3, Question 3.

781 Likes – Cristina Zenato Instagram

Caption : Day 2 Question 2 The Average Day Following is a summary of what a day on the island might look like. I usually wake up around 5 am. It is my solo time in the darkness and silence of the apartment. Then, I start by checking social media and answering questions coming from those parts of the world already up. By 6 am, I prepare coffee, and with Kewin, we start working on emails, requests, and social media posts. By 7 am, I will be out the door to walk the pups and complete the morning run. Then the controlled chaos starts: it’s a mix of preparation, carrying gear, diving, teaching, walking to and from the caves, following projects, testing gear, more diving, more teaching, picking up and dropping off guests. Depending on the day we finish, between 2 and 4 pm, clean and put away gear, prepare for the next day, dash home to walk the pups, check emails, jump on calls, and catch up with what I missed by not checking the phones for hours. In the midst, there is always the time to stop and rescue animals as needed, no matter what we are doing. Time is spent looking at the calendar, selecting images, editing vidcos, discussing new ideas and issucs, and addressing everything related to running a two-person and non-profit operation. Of course, the video does not share the daily routine of life: cleaning, laundry, grocery shopping, cooking, and eating, which we fit in between all other duties. My day is not so average; it is never a set schedule. During a week, I cave dive, then sharks, and go back to the cave to have a day to catch up on phone calls and emails and take more time with the pups or to use the time for personal ideas and projects. The nature of being obsessed with what I do and loving it beyond being a job blurs the boundaries of time on and off. Doing what I do is a life calling; it does not have a clock-in and clock-out system. Occasionally, it makes me mentally and physically tired, but it also allows me to tap into the same for more energy and dedication. How do I stay centered and rested? How do I prevent burnout after 30 years of daily diving, teaching, and being on the front line? I will address that tomorrow with Day 3, Question 3.
Likes : 781Cristina Zenato - 780 Likes - How big is the size of your dreams? Dreams become reality when we put our minds to it, but they do not become true out of magic. For Dreams to come true we need to put in hard work and determination. In my words itā€™s called stubborn, šŸ˜‚ If I had not been ā€œdeterminedā€ I would have listened to those who tried to deter me, who tried to undermine and convince of the many reasons why my career choices were not the right ones, the good ones, and more specifically the inappropriate (read for a woman) ones. So show up with your dreams and roll your sleeves up, and when they say ā€œyou canā€™tā€ remember to answer ā€œwatch me!ā€ Image by @kewinlorenzen @slipinsurfskins

780 Likes – Cristina Zenato Instagram

Caption : How big is the size of your dreams? Dreams become reality when we put our minds to it, but they do not become true out of magic. For Dreams to come true we need to put in hard work and determination. In my words itā€™s called stubborn, šŸ˜‚ If I had not been ā€œdeterminedā€ I would have listened to those who tried to deter me, who tried to undermine and convince of the many reasons why my career choices were not the right ones, the good ones, and more specifically the inappropriate (read for a woman) ones. So show up with your dreams and roll your sleeves up, and when they say ā€œyou canā€™tā€ remember to answer ā€œwatch me!ā€ Image by @kewinlorenzen @slipinsurfskins
Likes : 780Cristina Zenato - 775 Likes - Not all hook removals require a lot of work and effort! I wish all of them were this easy. A small J hook I could easily grab and twist out. It is not about the hook in itself, itā€™s about showing how as humans we have a negative presence that lingers out of site and out of mind and at the same time as each one of us can make a difference and create change. Video by @kewinlorenzen during our shark interactive experience with @isotta_underwater_housings Using @neptunic_com shark suit for protection while removing hooks.

775 Likes – Cristina Zenato Instagram

Caption : Not all hook removals require a lot of work and effort! I wish all of them were this easy. A small J hook I could easily grab and twist out. It is not about the hook in itself, itā€™s about showing how as humans we have a negative presence that lingers out of site and out of mind and at the same time as each one of us can make a difference and create change. Video by @kewinlorenzen during our shark interactive experience with @isotta_underwater_housings Using @neptunic_com shark suit for protection while removing hooks.
Likes : 775Cristina Zenato - 773 Likes - Why are these fish always swimming in front of these predators Aren't they going to get eaten? The answer is no, they are not. Should the shark enter a feeding mode towards a prey, the fish would swim out of the way, but when these fish swim in front of a predator, they receive protection in return for a bigger favor. These fish produce water movement and sound in the same range as other fish of the same size and shape, like jacks or tuna, which are possible prey for certain species of sharks. The movement and sound produced by the smaller fish mask the one made by the shark, allowing the predator to approach the potential prey. When the prey detects the predator, it might be too late to escape. Image by @kewinlorenzen during our trip exploring the sharks around The Bahamas. @isotta_underwater_housings

773 Likes – Cristina Zenato Instagram

Caption : Why are these fish always swimming in front of these predators Aren’t they going to get eaten? The answer is no, they are not. Should the shark enter a feeding mode towards a prey, the fish would swim out of the way, but when these fish swim in front of a predator, they receive protection in return for a bigger favor. These fish produce water movement and sound in the same range as other fish of the same size and shape, like jacks or tuna, which are possible prey for certain species of sharks. The movement and sound produced by the smaller fish mask the one made by the shark, allowing the predator to approach the potential prey. When the prey detects the predator, it might be too late to escape. Image by @kewinlorenzen during our trip exploring the sharks around The Bahamas. @isotta_underwater_housings
Likes : 773Cristina Zenato - 760 Likes - If sharks stop swimming, they sink. All species are slightly negative in weight, which means they sink. Regular bony fish have a buoyancy system known as a swim bladder. Fish can regulate the amount of gas, usually oxygen, injected into the chamber through a combination of the circulatory system and other combined actions and deflate it when needed. That's why we can observe fish floating in stationary positions and are able to move back and forth, up and down, without swimming. Sharks compensate for their lack of a swimming bladder and tendency to sink with their livers. These contain large amounts of oil that is less dense than seawater and provide them with some buoyancy, yet not enough to keep them afloat. Some scientists believe that certain shark species, known as 'obligate ram ventilators' such as the great white, mako, and great hammerhead, have unique sleeping habits. These sharks may sleep with half their brain active, or position themselves to face ocean currents. Even while resting, their eyes remain open, and their pupils continue to monitor the motion of creatures swimming around them. Sharks that possess 'buccal pumping, a method of pumping water through their gills, are able to rest on the ocean floor, under coral heads, or on rock outcroppings, thanks to this unique adaptation. Video of Liz, Caribbean Reef shark, sinking into my lap as she stops swimming by @kewinlorenzen @isotta_underwater_housings @neptunic_com @waterproofinternational @diveshearwater

760 Likes – Cristina Zenato Instagram

Caption : If sharks stop swimming, they sink. All species are slightly negative in weight, which means they sink. Regular bony fish have a buoyancy system known as a swim bladder. Fish can regulate the amount of gas, usually oxygen, injected into the chamber through a combination of the circulatory system and other combined actions and deflate it when needed. That’s why we can observe fish floating in stationary positions and are able to move back and forth, up and down, without swimming. Sharks compensate for their lack of a swimming bladder and tendency to sink with their livers. These contain large amounts of oil that is less dense than seawater and provide them with some buoyancy, yet not enough to keep them afloat. Some scientists believe that certain shark species, known as ‘obligate ram ventilators’ such as the great white, mako, and great hammerhead, have unique sleeping habits. These sharks may sleep with half their brain active, or position themselves to face ocean currents. Even while resting, their eyes remain open, and their pupils continue to monitor the motion of creatures swimming around them. Sharks that possess ‘buccal pumping, a method of pumping water through their gills, are able to rest on the ocean floor, under coral heads, or on rock outcroppings, thanks to this unique adaptation. Video of Liz, Caribbean Reef shark, sinking into my lap as she stops swimming by @kewinlorenzen @isotta_underwater_housings @neptunic_com @waterproofinternational @diveshearwater
Likes : 760Cristina Zenato - 757 Likes - If I could ever freeze a moment, itā€™s not about my first experience with the sharks, but every time one of my divers experiences them for the first time. The shark experience and course provide a unique ā€œshark yourselfā€ immersion. These encounters are truly unique, always and only conducted one-on-one. Youā€™ll be part of an exclusive experience with a group of Caribbean Reef sharks, wearing the correct protection and using techniques I have been using and adapted for the last 30 years. They allow the dream of coming in close contact with a shark to come true, to meet a special group of ladies (yes, they are all females) and interact with them in a way I would never encourage or allow in other settings, but these. These encounters are transformative. They change our perceptions of sharks, revealing their unique aspects, including individual personalities, preferences, and characters. They show us that one size does not fit all and create new ambassadors and voices to speak on behalf of the sharks. Itā€™s crucial to remember that we should not lump sharks under one word. Each species and individual within a species is uniquely different, and there will never be one answer to a generalized question. For more information about the shark experience and course, visit our website or contact us directly. We look forward to sharing this unique experience. Link in bio Video by @kewinlorenzen Student @ingrid.martinson from @owuss_ @isotta_underwater_housings @neptunic_com

757 Likes – Cristina Zenato Instagram

Caption : If I could ever freeze a moment, itā€™s not about my first experience with the sharks, but every time one of my divers experiences them for the first time. The shark experience and course provide a unique ā€œshark yourselfā€ immersion. These encounters are truly unique, always and only conducted one-on-one. Youā€™ll be part of an exclusive experience with a group of Caribbean Reef sharks, wearing the correct protection and using techniques I have been using and adapted for the last 30 years. They allow the dream of coming in close contact with a shark to come true, to meet a special group of ladies (yes, they are all females) and interact with them in a way I would never encourage or allow in other settings, but these. These encounters are transformative. They change our perceptions of sharks, revealing their unique aspects, including individual personalities, preferences, and characters. They show us that one size does not fit all and create new ambassadors and voices to speak on behalf of the sharks. Itā€™s crucial to remember that we should not lump sharks under one word. Each species and individual within a species is uniquely different, and there will never be one answer to a generalized question. For more information about the shark experience and course, visit our website or contact us directly. We look forward to sharing this unique experience. Link in bio Video by @kewinlorenzen Student @ingrid.martinson from @owuss_ @isotta_underwater_housings @neptunic_com
Likes : 757Cristina Zenato - 755 Likes - How about sailing around The Bahamas on a special trip , April 4-18, 2028 (14 nights - 13 days) for a super special TRIFECTA? Grand Bahama with our special shiver of Caribbean Reef sharks, Tiger Beach with Tigers and Lemons, Bimini with the incredible Great Hammerhead, to cruise through Nassau Blue Hole, into the Exumas and come back to Cat Island to complete our experience with Oceanic White Tip sharks. All in one trip, an incredible opportunity on the crossing of seasons, to encounter up to twelve different species of sharks and several rays. It is something we are going to offer only every few years; still to a total of six passengers. (Two spots already booked-four spots left) Adventure, education, experience. Regular dates for 2027 and 2028 also available! Must be a certified scuba diver. For more details message me at info@cristinazenato.com šŸ«¶ @kewinlorenzen and I are super excited!!!

755 Likes – Cristina Zenato Instagram

Caption : How about sailing around The Bahamas on a special trip , April 4-18, 2028 (14 nights – 13 days) for a super special TRIFECTA? Grand Bahama with our special shiver of Caribbean Reef sharks, Tiger Beach with Tigers and Lemons, Bimini with the incredible Great Hammerhead, to cruise through Nassau Blue Hole, into the Exumas and come back to Cat Island to complete our experience with Oceanic White Tip sharks. All in one trip, an incredible opportunity on the crossing of seasons, to encounter up to twelve different species of sharks and several rays. It is something we are going to offer only every few years; still to a total of six passengers. (Two spots already booked-four spots left) Adventure, education, experience. Regular dates for 2027 and 2028 also available! Must be a certified scuba diver. For more details message me at [email protected] šŸ«¶ @kewinlorenzen and I are super excited!!!
Likes : 755Cristina Zenato - 737 Likes - They say that a soulmate is a person with whom you have an immediate connection the moment you meet. January 31st, 2018, was a full, blue, supermoon night, and Kewin and I realized we had already created a deep, unbreakable bond. Since we met, a month prior, we immediately felt a sense of familiarity, belonging, and "meant to be", a connection so strong that we were drawn to each other in a way we had never experienced before. That night sealed the rest of our days together. I had never married before and never felt the need until one day in 2019 when Kewin asked me, and I said, "Yes." Well, first, I asked him, "Are you sure?" Marriage had never been in my books; I was already deeply bonded to my one and only love, the ocean. Not only did Kewin understand the bond, but he felt it for himself, and together, we found transformative power to grow emotionally, spiritually, and professionally. We approach life differently, and that complements each other. We live and work 24/7 together, yet we have distinct roles in what we do; they reflect our personalities and skills and enrich us. I always jokingly say that Kewin is the correct amount of ice to my fire, bringing peace, calmness, and happiness. As for the dress, it is one of the purchases we use for our underwater creative images. You can find out more about them at www.kewinlorenzen.com, link in bio. With @kewinlorenzen Leave it up to Instagram to remove the close captions after I put them in! šŸ˜’

737 Likes – Cristina Zenato Instagram

Caption : They say that a soulmate is a person with whom you have an immediate connection the moment you meet. January 31st, 2018, was a full, blue, supermoon night, and Kewin and I realized we had already created a deep, unbreakable bond. Since we met, a month prior, we immediately felt a sense of familiarity, belonging, and “meant to be”, a connection so strong that we were drawn to each other in a way we had never experienced before. That night sealed the rest of our days together. I had never married before and never felt the need until one day in 2019 when Kewin asked me, and I said, “Yes.” Well, first, I asked him, “Are you sure?” Marriage had never been in my books; I was already deeply bonded to my one and only love, the ocean. Not only did Kewin understand the bond, but he felt it for himself, and together, we found transformative power to grow emotionally, spiritually, and professionally. We approach life differently, and that complements each other. We live and work 24/7 together, yet we have distinct roles in what we do; they reflect our personalities and skills and enrich us. I always jokingly say that Kewin is the correct amount of ice to my fire, bringing peace, calmness, and happiness. As for the dress, it is one of the purchases we use for our underwater creative images. You can find out more about them at www.kewinlorenzen.com, link in bio. With @kewinlorenzen Leave it up to Instagram to remove the close captions after I put them in! šŸ˜’
Likes : 737Cristina Zenato - 727 Likes - Day 5 Question 5 The Cost of Living the Dream Life is half a choice; we pick 50% of it and live it to the fullest, then perhaps pick the other 50%, but we cannot always have it all; it is not possible. Every choice has a price. We decide which price we are willing to pay and which not. There is no night or wrong; our choices come with consequences. Lo live my dream, there have been financial decisions to pursue passion and experiences rather than a stable and reliable income, living in an area subject to hurricanes, and the physical toll that being an active diver for thirty years has taken on my body. The steepest price I pay is different. I live 6000 miles away from my family. In the first 26 years of my career, which requires working while everyone else was on holiday, I went home for Christmas twice. I celebrated my dad's 80th birthday, the only one I will get to celebrate before he passed; I celebrated one Grandma's birthday and then she left us as well. Every time I said see you soon at the airport, I felt excruciating pain, divided between two loves, the one of my family and the one that is my calling. I thought that with time, it would get better; it doesn't. Now, with @kewinlorenzen in my life, it's double; we must say see you later to two families we love very much. Technology allows for daily check-ins, and we share videos and images, but we still celebrate milestones miles apart, unable to be together for most of them. Living on an island is like a dream to many, but it's living with the limitations of the island. Many people come and go; we make friends, and they leave. I have lost count of the friends I have made and the ones who have gone somewhere else. There are also the friends we lose to the nature of our business and line of work. These are the prices I paid for living the dream, a dream that has allowed me to make countless connections, meet amazing people, experience incredible places, and fulfill my calling, and I would not have it any other way, but it's a personal decision we each have to make and no one else can make for us. Be kind in the comments, not an easy subject to share.

727 Likes – Cristina Zenato Instagram

Caption : Day 5 Question 5 The Cost of Living the Dream Life is half a choice; we pick 50% of it and live it to the fullest, then perhaps pick the other 50%, but we cannot always have it all; it is not possible. Every choice has a price. We decide which price we are willing to pay and which not. There is no night or wrong; our choices come with consequences. Lo live my dream, there have been financial decisions to pursue passion and experiences rather than a stable and reliable income, living in an area subject to hurricanes, and the physical toll that being an active diver for thirty years has taken on my body. The steepest price I pay is different. I live 6000 miles away from my family. In the first 26 years of my career, which requires working while everyone else was on holiday, I went home for Christmas twice. I celebrated my dad’s 80th birthday, the only one I will get to celebrate before he passed; I celebrated one Grandma’s birthday and then she left us as well. Every time I said see you soon at the airport, I felt excruciating pain, divided between two loves, the one of my family and the one that is my calling. I thought that with time, it would get better; it doesn’t. Now, with @kewinlorenzen in my life, it’s double; we must say see you later to two families we love very much. Technology allows for daily check-ins, and we share videos and images, but we still celebrate milestones miles apart, unable to be together for most of them. Living on an island is like a dream to many, but it’s living with the limitations of the island. Many people come and go; we make friends, and they leave. I have lost count of the friends I have made and the ones who have gone somewhere else. There are also the friends we lose to the nature of our business and line of work. These are the prices I paid for living the dream, a dream that has allowed me to make countless connections, meet amazing people, experience incredible places, and fulfill my calling, and I would not have it any other way, but it’s a personal decision we each have to make and no one else can make for us. Be kind in the comments, not an easy subject to share.
Likes : 727Cristina Zenato - 713 Likes - The Childhood Dream. There's something intangible and unknowable about our dreams. They can be considered elusive. Pursuing a passion is tough, especially when we are cautioned about the physical, but even more so social, financial, and amotional negative consequences if we keep seeking out our passion instead of a more stable situation. This cautionary advice often comes from well-meaning friends and family, who worry about our well-being and future stability. I had a childhood dream of being an underwater scuba ranger with sharks for friends, roaming the sea telling people what to do and not to do (and not having my mom tell me to get out of the water). With this image, I wanted to represent the child looking at her future self, the realization of a dream most deemed impossible and unattainable. I also wanted to celebrate the road that took to realize the dream, as it wasn't a straight, clear one but one of many winding passages, blocked ways, interrupted bridges, sprinkled with piles and piles of failures. It was the resilience in the face of these challenges that made the journey worthwhile. Childhood dreams are not just amazing, they are a source of joy and inspiration. We should follow, keep, and celebrate them. However, we should also understand that they do not materialize just because we want them to; they materialize because we make them happen. It's important to understand that achieving a childhood dream often requires sacrifices. These sacrifices are different for each one of us and we are the only one who should decide which price tag we are willing to pay, no one else. The video and final image are by the amazing @kewinlorenzen who understands and with whom I share the dream, the journey, and the sacrifices. With @isotta_underwater_housings @scubapro Dress outsourced at @hsgb_second_chance_shop in support of @humanesocietygrandbahama

713 Likes – Cristina Zenato Instagram

Caption : The Childhood Dream. There’s something intangible and unknowable about our dreams. They can be considered elusive. Pursuing a passion is tough, especially when we are cautioned about the physical, but even more so social, financial, and amotional negative consequences if we keep seeking out our passion instead of a more stable situation. This cautionary advice often comes from well-meaning friends and family, who worry about our well-being and future stability. I had a childhood dream of being an underwater scuba ranger with sharks for friends, roaming the sea telling people what to do and not to do (and not having my mom tell me to get out of the water). With this image, I wanted to represent the child looking at her future self, the realization of a dream most deemed impossible and unattainable. I also wanted to celebrate the road that took to realize the dream, as it wasn’t a straight, clear one but one of many winding passages, blocked ways, interrupted bridges, sprinkled with piles and piles of failures. It was the resilience in the face of these challenges that made the journey worthwhile. Childhood dreams are not just amazing, they are a source of joy and inspiration. We should follow, keep, and celebrate them. However, we should also understand that they do not materialize just because we want them to; they materialize because we make them happen. It’s important to understand that achieving a childhood dream often requires sacrifices. These sacrifices are different for each one of us and we are the only one who should decide which price tag we are willing to pay, no one else. The video and final image are by the amazing @kewinlorenzen who understands and with whom I share the dream, the journey, and the sacrifices. With @isotta_underwater_housings @scubapro Dress outsourced at @hsgb_second_chance_shop in support of @humanesocietygrandbahama
Likes : 713Cristina Zenato - 690 Likes - ā€œThe population of sharks has increased tremendously, and they are seriously reducing the fish populationsā€ - with a follow-up request to cull sharks to help the fish population. I am apprehensive about these statements provided by unqualified individuals that the news has picked up and shared on a larger scale; I am worried about how these statements reach me daily. I need to figure out where to start addressing this belief, which comes from the entirely human-centered, arrogant thought that everything belongs to us. Letā€™s start with ā€œincreased tremendously.ā€ How is that verified? In general, the people making these statements see more sharks around their boats; these boats are out there fishing. However, these sharks are not identified, verified, and counted correctly, so ten boats might see the same individuals in the same area, but it doesnā€™t mean there are that many more. Additionally, sharks include over 500 species, so seeing fins and bodies and saying that sharks have increased tremendously has no scientific value. We also forget that these sharks might be approaching more boats fishing. These boats provide an easy source of food and nutrients that belong to the sharks, and they might be scarce in the area because of overfishing or other environmental issues. Letā€™s get to the second part of the statement, ā€œseriously reducing the fish populations.ā€ I am fighting hard to keep my composure on that piece of garbage. As far as we know, sharks have been in the oceans for over 450 million years. While their predatory nature has evolved with them, they have kept the ocean in balance for much longer than we have. Humans, especially with the introduction of industrial fishing, are the reason the oceans are out of balance, fish stocks are reduced, and some ecosystems are on the verge of collapse. Thinking that removing sharks would bring back the balance so humans can have more fish is against any scientific study, understanding, and data that is available to promote more educated statements.

690 Likes – Cristina Zenato Instagram

Caption : ā€œThe population of sharks has increased tremendously, and they are seriously reducing the fish populationsā€ – with a follow-up request to cull sharks to help the fish population. I am apprehensive about these statements provided by unqualified individuals that the news has picked up and shared on a larger scale; I am worried about how these statements reach me daily. I need to figure out where to start addressing this belief, which comes from the entirely human-centered, arrogant thought that everything belongs to us. Letā€™s start with ā€œincreased tremendously.ā€ How is that verified? In general, the people making these statements see more sharks around their boats; these boats are out there fishing. However, these sharks are not identified, verified, and counted correctly, so ten boats might see the same individuals in the same area, but it doesnā€™t mean there are that many more. Additionally, sharks include over 500 species, so seeing fins and bodies and saying that sharks have increased tremendously has no scientific value. We also forget that these sharks might be approaching more boats fishing. These boats provide an easy source of food and nutrients that belong to the sharks, and they might be scarce in the area because of overfishing or other environmental issues. Letā€™s get to the second part of the statement, ā€œseriously reducing the fish populations.ā€ I am fighting hard to keep my composure on that piece of garbage. As far as we know, sharks have been in the oceans for over 450 million years. While their predatory nature has evolved with them, they have kept the ocean in balance for much longer than we have. Humans, especially with the introduction of industrial fishing, are the reason the oceans are out of balance, fish stocks are reduced, and some ecosystems are on the verge of collapse. Thinking that removing sharks would bring back the balance so humans can have more fish is against any scientific study, understanding, and data that is available to promote more educated statements.
Likes : 690Cristina Zenato - 690 Likes - Not only sharks: As a tech diving instructor, I specialize in cave diving and sidemount gear configuration in both open circuit and rebreather, and I spend a lot of my free time completing cave exploration. Unfortunately, in our society, we are pigeonholed into one role, title, action, and something we are identified with. For me, the struggle has been to show that despite my deep love for sharks and my work towards their conservation, I am also fully invested in other parts of diving, caves in particular, that conservation goes beyond saving sharks as we need to understand the complexity of ecosystems to produce an effective change in policies. Going days without seeing the sharks won't change who l am or how I feel about them. Combining these two unique fields has been of incredible value to the overall conservation picture. Image by @kewinlorenzen after our exploration dive in one of our newly discovered caves. Wearing dry suit from @waterproofinternational, @kissrebreathers Sidewinder sidemount rebreather, @fourthelementdive undergarments, @diveshearwater computers With @peopleofthewater

690 Likes – Cristina Zenato Instagram

Caption : Not only sharks: As a tech diving instructor, I specialize in cave diving and sidemount gear configuration in both open circuit and rebreather, and I spend a lot of my free time completing cave exploration. Unfortunately, in our society, we are pigeonholed into one role, title, action, and something we are identified with. For me, the struggle has been to show that despite my deep love for sharks and my work towards their conservation, I am also fully invested in other parts of diving, caves in particular, that conservation goes beyond saving sharks as we need to understand the complexity of ecosystems to produce an effective change in policies. Going days without seeing the sharks won’t change who l am or how I feel about them. Combining these two unique fields has been of incredible value to the overall conservation picture. Image by @kewinlorenzen after our exploration dive in one of our newly discovered caves. Wearing dry suit from @waterproofinternational, @kissrebreathers Sidewinder sidemount rebreather, @fourthelementdive undergarments, @diveshearwater computers With @peopleofthewater
Likes : 690Cristina Zenato - 681 Likes - It's sharks, sharks, and more sharks. It's also about exploring the Bahamas, enjoying the hideaway spots and the immeasurable beauty of the place, and discovering what's above and below the water. We promise a comprehensive experience of dives, exploration, education, and understanding. We love our encounters with sharks, but we want you to dive with us, see the different creatures in our waters, and experience the beauty of the land, the ocean blue holes, and the hidden gems of The Bahamas. Cruising around on our catamaran, we complete different itineraries during the high season of each shark species to guarantee unique encounters. It is all under the direct supervision of a highly experienced crew. I will provide presentations about sharks, oceans, conservation, and more. Bring home memories through the talent of Kewin Lorenzen, who captures videos and images of the experience above and below the water. We now have dates for 2027 and 2028 with our Shark Experience Bahamas, a 10-night-9-day trip through the Northern Bahamas (the Main species are Tigers, Great Hammerheads, Caribbean Reef, Lemon, Bull, and Nurse). Our 2027 memorable Cat Island trip (the Main species are Tigers, Lemon, Caribbean Reef, and Oceanic White tip) takes us sailing through the Exumas to experience some of the most incredible places. In 2028, we offer our unique Trifecta, a once-in-a-lifetime trip covering the northern and southern Bahamas, including the Exumas, and diving with all the main species in one trip, 14 nights -13 days (Tigers, Lemons, Caribbean Reef, Great Hammerheads, Nurses, Oceanic White Tip). Information available at www.cristinazenato.com Link in Bio or by sending a message directly to info@cristinazenato.com Videos by @kewinlorenzen and myself @isotta_underwater_housings @neptunic_com @waterproofinternational

681 Likes – Cristina Zenato Instagram

Caption : It’s sharks, sharks, and more sharks. It’s also about exploring the Bahamas, enjoying the hideaway spots and the immeasurable beauty of the place, and discovering what’s above and below the water. We promise a comprehensive experience of dives, exploration, education, and understanding. We love our encounters with sharks, but we want you to dive with us, see the different creatures in our waters, and experience the beauty of the land, the ocean blue holes, and the hidden gems of The Bahamas. Cruising around on our catamaran, we complete different itineraries during the high season of each shark species to guarantee unique encounters. It is all under the direct supervision of a highly experienced crew. I will provide presentations about sharks, oceans, conservation, and more. Bring home memories through the talent of Kewin Lorenzen, who captures videos and images of the experience above and below the water. We now have dates for 2027 and 2028 with our Shark Experience Bahamas, a 10-night-9-day trip through the Northern Bahamas (the Main species are Tigers, Great Hammerheads, Caribbean Reef, Lemon, Bull, and Nurse). Our 2027 memorable Cat Island trip (the Main species are Tigers, Lemon, Caribbean Reef, and Oceanic White tip) takes us sailing through the Exumas to experience some of the most incredible places. In 2028, we offer our unique Trifecta, a once-in-a-lifetime trip covering the northern and southern Bahamas, including the Exumas, and diving with all the main species in one trip, 14 nights -13 days (Tigers, Lemons, Caribbean Reef, Great Hammerheads, Nurses, Oceanic White Tip). Information available at www.cristinazenato.com Link in Bio or by sending a message directly to [email protected] Videos by @kewinlorenzen and myself @isotta_underwater_housings @neptunic_com @waterproofinternational
Likes : 681
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