Biography:
Cristina Zenato, an Italian-born shark diver and conservationist, has dedicated her life to studying and protecting sharks, particularly Caribbean reef sharks in The Bahamas. Her passion for these majestic creatures has led to remarkable achievements and contributions to the field of marine conservation.
Born in 1971 in Italy, Zenato’s love for the ocean was instilled in her from a young age. Her father, a special forces military diver, influenced her early connection with the underwater world. When Zenato was just 15, her family moved to the Congo, where she spent her formative years. It was in this diverse and vibrant environment that her fascination with marine life grew.
After completing high school in Italy, Zenato embarked on her diving journey in 1994. The Bahamas became her home and diving became her life. She not only mastered the art of diving but also became a renowned shark handler. Zenato developed the ability to induce a state of tonic immobility in sharks through a gentle touch, earning her the title of shark whisperer.
Throughout her career, Zenato has worn many hats. She manages a team of eighteen divers and teaches hundreds of students, ranging from Open Water to Full cave divers. Her expertise lies in shark handling, and she imparts her knowledge as a TDI and NSS-CDS Technical and full cave instructor and cave explorer. In fact, she has been the first woman to connect a land cave with an ocean blue hole, conducting groundbreaking explorations and mapping cave systems for their protection.
Zenato is not only a pioneer in the field but also an advocate for shark conservation. She consults with organizations to create marine parks with a strong emphasis on the protection of sharks. Believing in the power of education, Zenato volunteers her time to host foreign students and teach local Bahamian school children to dive, sharing her vision for the preservation of marine ecosystems.
In recognition of her significant contributions, Zenato was inducted into the Women Divers Hall of Fame in 2011. Her relentless dedication to promoting shark conservation and her unique approach of diving with and removing fish hooks from Caribbean reef sharks around Grand Bahama Island have earned her the title of shark whisperer. Through her work, Zenato has become a symbol of inspiration and empowerment for women in the field of marine conservation.
Zenato’s impact extends beyond her hands-on work with sharks. She has been featured in numerous films and television programs, including Shark Week’s Sharktacular, Against the Current, and Save This Shark. Her experiences and expertise have been shared with audiences worldwide, raising awareness about the importance of shark conservation.
In the late 2010s, Zenato founded the non-profit organization People of the Water, further solidifying her commitment to marine conservation. Through this platform, she continues to advocate for the protection of sharks and marine ecosystems, inspiring a new generation of conservationists.
Awards:
– Inducted into the Women Divers Hall of Fame in 2011