Unveiling the Mysteries of Rhode Island's Waters with the Atlantic Shark Institute

​Many Rhode Islanders drive by the ocean daily, admiring the vast expanse of water, largely unaware of the bustling world beneath the waves. Jon Dodd, Executive Director of the Atlantic Shark Institute (ASI), is on a mission to change that. Through cutting-edge research and a passion that started in his youth, Dodd and his team are revealing the secrets of our local marine life, one shark at a time.
"It always fascinated me," Dodd shared in a recent interview. "You'd go to the beach and it doesn't look like there's anything going on... But until I put on a snorkel when I was really young... I could literally sit in 6 inches of water with a mask and just move ever so slowly. And there was always something going on."
This childhood curiosity led Dodd to earn a degree in marine biology from the University of Rhode Island and eventually to found the ASI. The institute is a nonprofit, volunteer-run organization dedicated to shark research and conservation. With over 50 committed volunteers and no paid staff, including Dodd himself, every dollar raised goes directly into their vital work.
The ASI's research is crucial, especially as ocean conditions change. Dodd notes a northward shift in shark populations due to rising water temperatures. "We're seeing sharks today, spinner sharks, blacktip sharks, that 10 years ago you would not see here," he explained. This migration raises new questions about competition for food and habitat displacement, reinforcing the idea that research must be ongoing. "As soon as you think you know exactly what a spinner shark is going to do, and where you will find them... suddenly someone catches one further north than they’ve ever been seen before and everybody says, 'What is that?'"
The institute's work often yields surprising results. Just recently, the team tagged a small, five-foot-long great white shark in waters cooler than they typically prefer. "The one we got yesterday was an oddity," Dodd remarked. "If it happens a second time or a fourth or a fifth time, that's when you say what's going on." This data-driven approach is fundamental to their process; they follow the evidence, even when it leads to more questions than answers.
A significant challenge facing marine life is ocean debris. Dodd highlights the danger of plastic strapping, which can entangle sharks and other animals, leading to gruesome injuries. "We've seen some things that would break your heart," he said, urging beachgoers to pick up any trash they see.
To bring their work to a wider audience, the ASI has partnered with filmmaker Tomas Koeck on a four-part docuseries about Rhode Island's marine ecosystem, which will culminate in a feature-length film in 2027. "It's really a love letter to Rhode Island," Dodd said, hoping it will amaze locals with the incredible biodiversity right in their backyard.
The people of Rhode Island have shown tremendous support for the ASI. The institute’s shark-themed license plate has become the most popular charity plate in state history, with all proceeds funding research. "The people of Rhode Island have been really, truly great to us, and it's helped us a lot in terms of the research we do," Dodd gratefully acknowledged.
For those interested in supporting the Atlantic Shark Institute, donations can be made through their website, AtlanticSharkInstitute.org. You can also follow their work and see incredible videos and photos on their Facebook and Instagram pages.