Unique Experiences

Item Description

Meet Clay Creswell, case investigator for the Global Shark Attack File, for lunch or dinner in Rocky Point, North Carolina

On July 27, 1870, Giles Gordon was bathing in the ocean in Southport when a shark swam up and bit his foot. Gordon lost a toe but survived the attack. His story remained buried in historical records for more than a hundred years – until Clay Creswell dug it up.

Clay hunts down details about shark attacks in North and South Carolina as a case investigator for the Global Shark Attack File (www.sharkattackfile.net). When he investigates an incident, he examines a variety of conditions, ranging from water temperature and fish activity to whether the person was wearing jewelry. The data allows researchers to establish patterns among shark attacks.

During more than a decade of data gathering, Creswell investigated many shark attacks. As as lead investigator for the GSAF on the tragic shark attacks at Oak Island, Clay interviewed witnesses and medical personnel, gathered environmental data, and worked closely with the local authorities, submitting recommendations to reduce the risk of future occurrences.

The vast majority of cases usually result in minor injuries that require stitches, most commonly noted in the database as “lacerations to foot”.  In most cases reported as ‘shark attacks’, injuries are minor. “Yet there's this fear of sharks, ever since 'Jaws.' It's a fear of the unknown, of animals that people don't understand”, he says.

Clay appeared on the NatGeo Wildseries "When Sharks Attack", and has been featured on local news programs concerning sharks in North Carolina. He has been interviewed by a variety of news sources for articles discussing shark bites and is currently working on a book about shark attacks in the Carolinas.

Item Special Note

The objective of this auction is to spotlight individuals and organizations working effectively for ocean conservation, and raise funds for field research, conservation and outreach projects.

 Being auctioned is a dinner or lunch with one of the world's foremost shark experts or celebrities. This is a unique opportunity to "talk shark" face-to-face, one-on-one, with a real authority on sharks.

How this auction works

1. Bid on a celebrity you would like to get to know personally (shark scientist, educator, explorer filmmaker, shark photographer, television host, conservationist) who works or lives nearby, unless you are willing to drive or fly to meet them in their area.

2. We will introduce the winning bidder to the celebrity. The two of you then set a mutually agreeable date, time and place to meet within one year of the close of the auction.

3. The winning bidder pays for lunch or dinner and may bring guests.

NOTE: The winning bid is 100% deductible from US Federal 2018 income taxes as a Charitable Donation.  A tax receipt will be issued to the winning bidder.