Our Stories

Jeremy & Wanda's

Our founder and CEO, Jeremy "Sharkie" Perdue, established this organization fueled by an unwavering passion for animal life, particularly marine creatures. This fervor was inherited from his late paternal grandmother, Margaret Lee Adams Perdue, his mother, Amy Suzette Goodwin Perdue, and his father, Robert Leon Perdue. Margaret instilled in Jeremy the importance of cherishing even the smallest organisms, teaching him that every creature, no matter how seemingly insignificant, plays a vital role in our ecosystem.

Robert, with his long career as an animal control officer for the sheriff's department in Rockingham County, NC, educated Jeremy about the potential dangers posed by certain animals and the ways human activity can often terribly impact local animals, both wild and domesticated. Although Amy harbors a phobia of sharks due to the 1975 film Jaws, which ironically sparked Jeremy's fascination with these creatures, she has been a steadfast supporter of his mission from the very start. Through thoughtful gifts and shared memories of beach outings and aquarium visits, she nurtured his love for marine life. 

Both Amy and Margaret shared a deep affection for the beach and its inhabitants, a passion that has certainly influenced Jeremy since childhood. Following Margaret's passing in early September 2020, he inherited her 2004 Honda CR-V, which he transformed into a heartfelt tribute to their mutual passion for ocean life. Adorned with shark-themed decor and treasures, the vehicle serves as both a celebration of their shared love and a memorial to Margaret. This vehicle, which Jeremy has cherished since 2005, has become his most prized possession. He affectionately named it "Wanda the Great White Honda" due to its white exterior and its similarity in length to an adult great white shark.

Since then, Jeremy and Wanda have traveled together, advocating for shark conservation and awareness within their local community in the Cape Fear region of North Carolina, building lasting friendships and support along the way. Inspired by this growing community, Jeremy decided to assemble a team of individuals who share his commitment to understanding and protecting sharks, aiming to influence state laws on shark culling and fishing practices to safeguard these magnificent predators.