Dine with a Shark Expert

Dun-Dun-Dun-Dun, Dun-Dun-Dun-Dun.

That’s right, it’s Shark Week 2011.

And this week, a foremost “shark celebrity” from Princeton is putting herself on the eBay auction block to raise money for the Shark Research Institute’s conservation program.

Marie Levine, the institute’s founder and executive director, is one of dozens of the world’s shark experts who will offer bidders a chance to "talk shark" face- to-face, one-on-one, with a true authority about why they love these animals and why sharks need protection.

Up for auction are dinners (or lunches).

Winning bidders will meet with their experts within 365 days of the auction’s close. The winners will pay for the celebrity’s meal and may bring guests.

Levine has dived with sharks in 42 countries during the past 30 years.

In the 1980’s, while studying sharks in South Africa, she re- opened the South African Shark Attack File, interviewing more than 1,200 victims, witness and medical personnel.

She is a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society and the Explorers Club, has led four club Flag Expeditions, is in the Women Divers Hall of Fame and archivist of the Global Shark Attack File.

The auction will close on August 10.  The easiest way to enter is through www.sharks.org.

In New Jersey, the experts (besides Levine) are:

• Dr. Debra Canabal, Belleville, ashark behaviorist and conservationist who works with oceanic whitetip sharks
• David Dunleavy, Cape May, marine artist and muralist
• Dr. Richard Fernicola, Allenhurst, author of Twelve Days of Terror, the Matawan Creek Shark Attacks
• Dean Fessler, Lawrenceville, white shark field researcher and educator
• Maureen Langevin, Laurence Harbor, filmmaker
• Captain Steve Nagiewicz, Brick, shark conservationist and educator
• Matt Potenski, New Brunswick, a whale shark field researcher