Experience Ocean Shark Adventures Florida - A Journey to Rem

Founder & Lead Shark Guide

Matthew Evans is the Founder and Lead Shark Guide of Ocean Shark Adventures Florida, combining elite athletic performance, advanced academic achievement, and years of professional shark diving experience. He graduated with a degree in Marine Science in just three years while competing as an NCAA Division I Track & Cross Country athlete, a rare accomplishment that reflects exceptional discipline, focus, and composure — qualities that translate directly to leading safe, professional offshore shark encounters.

Matthew’s connection to the ocean began at a young age through frequent trips to Florida and countless days snorkeling in the Florida Keys, where early experiences with marine life sparked a lifelong fascination with sharks. He spent over four years training and working with One Ocean Diving, learning directly from Ocean Ramsey and Juan Oliphant, and logging thousands of hours in the water. Today, Ocean Shark Adventures Florida reflects his commitment to education, conservation, and raising the standard for shark diving experiences through professionalism, respect for the animals, and responsible interaction.

CORE CONSERVATION MISSION

Our Conservation Mission, Ethical Standards, and Community Commitments

At the core of our operation is a commitment to ethical shark encounters, marine conservation, and community education. Everything we do on the water and beyond is guided by science, responsibility, and respect for sharks and the ocean ecosystems they support.

Ethical & Responsible Shark Encounters

Our shark tours operate using a controlled attractant management approach designed to support predictable, low-stress observation conditions while prioritizing shark welfare, guest safety, and education.

All encounters are conducted under strict operational protocols, including:

Clearly defined spatial boundaries between sharks and participants
Continuous monitoring and assessment of shark behavior and environmental conditions
Intended measures to reduce competition, agitation, and overstimulation

Any use of attractants is limited, carefully managed, and never employed for entertainment or spectacle. Practices are informed by current scientific understanding, professional experience, and established principles of shark behavior, with an emphasis on minimizing disturbance and avoiding conditioning.

The objective of our operations is not to elicit or encourage interaction, but to facilitate responsible, passive observation of sharks within their natural environment, consistent with conservation-focused tourism and applicable regulatory guidance.

Animal Welfare & Safety First

Shark welfare is the foundation of every decision we make. Encounters are structured to reduce stress, avoid behavioral conditioning, and respect sharks’ natural comfort zones.

Guests are trained to:

Maintain appropriate distance
Remain calm and passive in the water
Recognize basic shark communication signals
Understand when sharks require more space

By prioritizing animal welfare, we create safer, more meaningful experiences for animals and participants alike.

Training & Scientific Standards

Our team operates under science-based training standards informed by years of real-world observation and research. These standards guide our approach to safety, ethics, and education.

Our training principles emphasize:

Shark behavior and communication
Ethical provisioning practices
Risk awareness and mitigation
Conservation-focused education

These standards ensure that every encounter reflects best practices in responsible marine tourism.

Our Conservation Mission

Our work extends beyond shark encounters. We aim to foster long-term conservation impact by building understanding, respect, and support for sharks and marine ecosystems.

Our conservation goals include:

Supporting shark conservation efforts through education and advocacy
Growing a shark-respecting community that replaces fear with knowledge
Educating fishermen on depredation mitigation, offering science-based methods to reduce conflict between sharks and fisheries
Protecting sharks from unnecessary and wasteful killing, particularly for sport

By addressing the root causes of misunderstanding and conflict, we help create solutions that benefit both people and sharks.

Community & Environmental Action

Conservation is most effective when it involves the community. We are committed to supporting local environmental initiatives and organizing hands-on action where possible.

Our efforts include:

Reef and beach clean-ups
Community education and outreach
Supporting conservation partnerships and projects

These initiatives strengthen local ecosystems while building a shared sense of responsibility for the ocean we all depend on.

Why This Matters

Sharks play a vital role in maintaining healthy oceans; protecting them safeguards coral reefs, fisheries, and marine biodiversity. By combining ethical tourism, science-based education, and community engagement, we create experiences that inspire respect rather than fear and help build a future where sharks are valued, protected, and understood.