A Caribbean reef shark, a prolific predator in these waters, patrols the algae-covered rocks.

9:32am, March 29, onboard the Research Vessel SEWARD JOHNSON (RVSJ) -- This morning, three weeks of adventurous shark research officially came to an end. Our efforts involved a lot of sweat, and a bit of blood, but the research team will go home with all of the limbs and digits they had when they arrived. The last, weary longlining team hauled themselves onto the deck of the RVSJ after a hard night at sea. Their all-night lemon sharking run met with little success. There were adult lemons in these waters -- we saw them yesterday, but the longliners only managed to catch a few stingrays, some jacks, and LOTS of Caribbean reef sharks.

The Carribean reef shark is stonger and faster than the lemon shark. But, they don't have the extreme flexibility that the lemon does -- good news for shark handlers because the reef shark cannot turn around and bite as easily. Nevertheless, the researchers are still vigilant around the animals, knowing their powerful capabilites.

Most of the largest sharks captured on this expedition were Caribbean reef sharks. They tend to patrol reefs around islands. Although they can reach over 8-feet long, the largest one we captured was about six-and-a-half feet.

"The Caribbean reef shark is a stereotypical shark," said longliner Dean Grubbs after his return from a hectic night at sea. "It's the kind of animal you think about when people say 'shark'. It just glides through the water like a plane. Beautiful!"

7:20pm, onboard the RVSJ -- As the RVSJ prepared to leave Fernando de Noronha, we said goodbye to many of the Brazilian crew. Most of them had plans to stay in F.N. for a few more days (who could blame them), then return to their homes on the mainland. With hugs, smiles and waves, the Brazilians departed while the remainder of the team hoisted anchor and began the long 36-hour trip to Natal -- back to the port where this expedition began.

10:00am, March 30, onboard the RVSJ -- The long voyage home is providing the crew with plenty of time to clean and store their salt-encrusted gear, checking off progress on detailed checklists, and lists of lists. The ship's lab is a staging area with gear spilling across counters and onto the floor. Some of the equipment will find its way into the hands of locals, some back to Gruber's shark lab in Bimini, Bahamas and some to the R/V Sea Diver, another of the Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution's world-class research vessels, where it will remain readied for future shark research.

The crew seems preoccupied by the future. I think we are all ready for our arrival in Natal -- still 23 hours away -- anxious to return to the mainland, and to get a step closer to home. For now, the team continues to pack and put the finishing touches on their field work, with obvious pride in their accomplishments of the last three weeks.