Swimming with great white sharks, John Manley is now diving into the waters of The Youth Center as their new director of camps and volunteer coordinator.
The shark biologist, filmmaker, educator and nonprofit administrator for over 25 years, started in November.
Manley, who dives regularly with sharks of all kinds, has encountered great whites on dives without cages and says he’s never felt threatened by them.
Swimming with great white sharks, John Manley is now diving into the waters of The Youth Center as their new director of camps and volunteer coordinator.
The shark biologist, filmmaker, educator and nonprofit administrator for over 25 years, started in November.
Manley, who dives regularly with sharks of all kinds, has encountered great whites on dives without cages and says he’s never felt threatened by them.
“Encountering them is actually the opposite of what people think and how Hollywood portrays them,” he explained. “They are cautious and elegant creatures. It is awe inspiring and humbling to swim with them because you know that they are perfect for their environment in the open ocean.”
As part of his own nonprofit, TeamShark, he would take youth out snorkeling in dive cages to experience sharks up close and personal to dispel common myths, fears and misunderstandings about the creatures. At the Youth Center he is bringing shark related education while adding various marine experiences to their camps.
“I intend to weave very unique marine and shark programming and an educational STEM component to make science relative to kids in today’s world,” Manley said.
“With our field trips, we’re going to get the kids on and out to the ocean.”
Manley who still scuba dives and works on shark conservation efforts, became “hooked” on marine science while earning his undergraduate degree at U.C. Berkley. He conducted a project at the Scripps Institute of Oceanography in San Diego and entered a graduate program where he specialized in shark behavior and movement patterns. He did the first behavioral study on leopard sharks in Catalina Island, and earned his master’s degree in Biology from Cal State University, Long Beach (CSULB).
After graduate school, he divided his career between sharks, teaching and nonprofit management.
He’s worked as an associate director of education at the Maritime Center of Excellence in San Pedro, taught as an adjunct professor at El Camino College in Torrance and at CSULB.
Besides starting and working as executive director his own nonprofit, TeamShark, he’s worked as a science teacher in several private secondary schools. He also has experience working in international marketing management.
While with TeamShark he’s been profiled on TheDiscoveryChannel, MTV, VH1, Reelz Channel, ESPN, Fox News, TNT and FX. Manley has also been featured in National Geographic, Marie Claire, Los Angeles Times and the Orange County Register.
“We’re very excited about bringing John onboard at the Youth Center,” Executive Director Lina Lumme said. “He brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to our organization. We look forward to offering new elements to our summer camps with him at the helm.”
Manley resides in Redondo Beach with his wife, Marianne, and his 15-year-old daughter, Jenna.
When not diving with sharks or scuba diving, he enjoys body boarding and surfing, and biking on the strand.