The world has lost an ocean hero and inspirational women who dedicated her life to shark research, science and conservation. Dr. Eugenie Clark, a pioneering marine biologist, also known as the “Shark Lady”, passed away on 25 February 2015 at age 92.

For many divers like you and me, she was a legend and an inspiration. A pioneer in marine conservation and the study of shark behaviour, she defied society's expectations about women's roles in science, championed the use of scuba diving for science, and contributed to demystifying the much-feared underwater creatures she studied most of her life.

“When you see a shark underwater, you should say how lucky I am to see this beautiful animal in its environment” she once said.

Many people know of her work with whale sharks, the biggest fish in the sea, but her interest didn’t stop there. She opened our eyes to so many more bizarre sharks, like species from the deep sea and the mysterious megamouth.

“Appreciation for sharks of all shapes and sizes is at the core of my conservation work” commented Sonja Fordham, a former student of Clark's who became the founder and president of the non-profit Shark Advocates International.

Dr. Eugenie Clark pioneered the use of scuba diving as a way to collect scientific data and make observations while on expeditions around the world. Her scuba diving adventures started in the 1940s at a time when the research world was mostly dominated by male scientists and scuba equipment that actually worked was just being created by Jacques Cousteau and engineer Emilie Gagnan. She never lost her passion for diving, making her last dive on her 92nd birthday in the Red Sea.

"Her work in Egypt prompted some of the world’s first shark protection policies.” Says Ania Budziak, Project AWARE Program Director. “That legacy lives on as Egypt emerges as a leading proponent of international shark safeguards, championed by people who still cherish their memories of working with Eugenie Clark long ago."

She was a pioneer not only in shark science, but in communicating scientific findings to the public. Author of hundreds of academic and scientific publications, she also wrote popular books detailing her adventures and love of fish - Lady with a Spear, The Lady and the Sharks, and The Desert Beneath the Sea. She continued to dive, give lectures, and attend scientific symposia until very recently. She remained enormously popular and never stopped delighting admirers and inspiring budding scientists.

She founded and stayed connected to Mote Marine Laboratory in Sarasota, a facility that has since developed a Center for Shark Research, and has inspired countless visitors and launched many a career in shark science and conservation. “Mote has certainly changed the course of my career by serving as a forum for ground-breaking discussion and collaboration on shark research and policy.” Says Sonja Fordham, President of Shark Advocates International.

This International Women’s Day, 8th March, we celebrate Dr. Eugenie Clark’s achievements and reflect on the many ways she has touched our lives during her extraordinary career. Her outstanding achievements, combined with her passion for diving and ability to communicate her message of protection and understanding for our beloved sharks, made her a true ocean hero and a scuba diving legend. 

The messages of tribute to Dr. Eugenie Clark posted on Twitter and compiled by David Shiffman, shark conservation biologist and blogger, truly show how much she was loved, respected and admired. She is deeply missed but her memory continues through her discoveries and legacy.

Blog Photo: Dr. Eugenie Clark with Rosemary Lunn, The Underwater Marketing Company - Meadowland Exhibition Centre, 2013