As Shark Week begins, I have some exciting news to share. In just a little over a year, the Gulf Great White Shark Society has officially surpassed 1,000 members!
That milestone means a great deal to me—not because we’re chasing membership numbers, but because every person who signs up represents someone who wants to learn more about sharks, the Gulf of Mexico, and the incredible wildlife that calls these waters home. Reaching 1,000 members in such a short time tells me there’s a real appetite for positive, research-based shark education that celebrates these remarkable animals instead of simply sensationalizing them.
When I launched the Gulf Great White Shark Society, I had a simple vision.
For decades I’ve been fascinated by sharks, particularly great white sharks, and I’ve watched our understanding of them continue to evolve. Through interviews with scientists, commercial fishermen, offshore workers, charter captains, and everyday anglers, along with years of researching historical records and documented encounters, it became increasingly clear that there was an opportunity to tell a different story about sharks in the Gulf of Mexico.
I wanted to build more than a website.
I wanted to build a community.
The Gulf Great White Shark Society was created to use media, social media, documentaries, podcasts, public presentations, educational events, and personal interaction to raise awareness of great white sharks in the Gulf of Mexico, introduce people to the other incredible large shark species that inhabit these waters, and inspire a deeper appreciation for ocean conservation.
Just as importantly, I wanted to do it in a way that reflected my own philosophy.
We’re not a political organization.
We’re not focused on advocating for legislation or public policy. There are many outstanding organizations already doing important work in those areas, and I sincerely appreciate what they contribute.
Our mission is different.
We want to make people excited about sharks.
We want to present research-based information that’s accessible whether you’re a marine biologist, an offshore angler, a diver, or someone who has simply become fascinated with sharks after watching Shark Week. We believe education should be engaging, optimistic, and rooted in good science, while never losing the sense of wonder that draws people to the ocean in the first place.
When I think back to what inspired me, I don’t think about political debates or complicated policy discussions.
I think about sitting down to watch Jaws. While that film certainly created misconceptions about sharks that we’ve spent decades correcting, it also sparked a fascination with great whites that never left me. I think about watching Jacques Cousteau’s ocean specials and later discovering documentaries like Blue Water, White Death. Those productions opened a window into a world I had never seen before. They made me curious. They made me want to learn more. They made me want to spend my life telling wildlife stories.
That’s exactly what I hope the Gulf Great White Shark Society can do for someone else.
Whether someone discovers us through our documentary Gulf Great White Sharks: Return of an Icon, an episode of Dark Outdoors, one of our articles, a social media post, or one of our live presentations, I hope they leave with a greater appreciation for sharks than they had before. If they become interested enough to learn more about the Gulf’s marine ecosystem or even pursue marine biology or conservation, then we’ve accomplished something meaningful.
Over the past year we’ve shared the latest research on great white sharks entering Gulf waters, highlighted tiger sharks, hammerheads, bull sharks, makos, blacktips, and many other species, participated in educational events across Texas, released our award-winning documentary, and continued building a community centered on curiosity, discovery, and respect for one of the ocean’s most misunderstood groups of animals.
Crossing 1,000 members isn’t the finish line.
It’s the beginning.
There’s so much more to do. There are more stories to tell, more research to share, more events to host, and more opportunities to inspire the next generation of shark enthusiasts and conservation-minded outdoorsmen and women.
If you’re already a member, thank you.
Every article you share, every event you attend, every documentary you recommend, and every conversation you have about sharks helps replace misunderstanding with knowledge. That kind of grassroots education is exactly what this organization was built to encourage.
If you’re reading this during Shark Week and haven’t joined us yet, I’d love to invite you to become part of the Gulf Great White Shark Society.
Membership is completely free. Simply sign up with your name and email address, and you’ll become part of a growing community dedicated to learning more about great white sharks, other large sharks of the Gulf, and ocean conservation. Members receive an exclusive members-only article every month, updates on our latest research and projects, first invitations to Gulf Great White Shark Society events, and occasional special offers available only to members.
My hope is that somewhere along the way, a young person reading one of our articles, watching one of our videos, or attending one of our presentations will experience the same excitement that I felt watching those classic shark documentaries years ago.
Because that’s how conservation often begins.
Not with an argument.
But with inspiration, curiosity, and a desire to understand one of God’s most remarkable creations a little better.
Thank you for helping us reach this incredible milestone.
Here’s to the next 1,000 members—and to continuing the adventure together
Chester Moore
Follow Chester Moore and Higher Calling Wildlife® on the following social media platforms
@gulfgreatwhitesharksociety on Instagram
@thechestermoore on Instagram
Higher Calling Wildlife on Facebook
Email Chester at chester@chestermoore.com.
Subscribe to the Dark Outdoors podcast on all major podcasting platforms.
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