Anastasia E. Lennon|Standard-Times

Shark research groups and government agencies in the United States and Canada announced Tuesday the establishment of anorganization that will unite over a dozen agencies to collaborativelystudy thewhite shark.

The New England White Shark Research Consortium joinsorganizations and universities in Massachusettssuch as the New England Aquarium and University of Massachusetts Dartmouthwith researchers in Maine, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, Arizona and Canada.

The group has two primary goals: advance researchers' current understanding of thewhite shark, and enhance public education and safety within the region.

Gregory Skomal, the senior fisheries scientist for the Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries (which is a consortium member),said the fatal shark attack of a 63-year-old womanoff the coast of Maine this summer prompted the creation of the consortium.

"It really pointed to a need for us to coordinate research here in New England," Skomal said, noting many people were surprised by the location of the attack even though researchers knewwhite sharks are historically found in Maine waters.

In an official statement, the consortium citedgrowing sightings of great white sharks in recent years as the "perfect time"to increase public and scientific understanding of the species, which is currently listed as vulnerableby the International Union for Conservation of Nature.

"Having a better understanding of this shark, the timing of its migration, where does it go, not only along Cape Cod, but along Rhode Island, New Hampshire,Maineand the coast of Canada," Skomal said. "Thats why we established this research consortium so we can all work under the same umbrella, share ideas, share data, share equipment and work collaboratively."

Skomal said the consortium came about somewhat informally through conversations among participating organizations and agencies, many of which have regularly collaborated.

"It was really along the lines of, 'Boy, we should formalize this arrangement under a singular umbrella,'" he said.

According to an official statement, the consortium will be "unparalleled" in its scope, usinghundreds of acoustic receivers to detect white shark movements from Rhode Island to Canada. Researchers will also use acoustic transmitters, satellite-linked tags and tissue analysis to study the shark's life stages.

Researchers will continue to studymigration patterns, habitat use, reproduction, predatory behavior and factors that drive interaction with humans. What's different now is that the consortium will facilitate greater collaboration and sharing of ideas, tools and data among new and old partners.

The University of Massachusetts Dartmouth School of Marine Science and Technology (SMAST) is also a participating member.

Megan Winton, a PhD student at the school and the chief research scientist for the Atlantic Shark Conservancy (another participating member), said she along with other partnering organizations will continue using high-tech equipment to characterize the predatory behavior and habits of the sharks off Cape Cod.

"The results of all of these studies are being used to identify areas and conditions during which white sharks are most likely to overlap with recreational water users in order to provide science-based information to improve public safety practices," Winton said in an email to the Standard-Times.

She has been working with her PhD advisor, Gavin Fay, and usingstatistical modellingto better understand wherewhite sharks go and when. Fay said he didn't have a formal role in the consortium, but that he will continue to collaboratewith Winton and other members.

Steven Cadrin, another SMAST professor, noted the consortium is also a great opportunity for the school's students to apply their educationto real-world problem-solving. The consortium's findings can shape decision-making and address community concerns, such as safety from sharks.

"Weve been applying some advanced technologies and modelling approaches to fisheries resources," Cadrin said. "White sharks giveus an opportunity to apply those advanced technologies and models... with white sharks, human safety is another application."

Other participating bodies include the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management, the Maine Department of Marine Resources, the Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries, the Center for Coastal Studies, Arizona State University, the Atlantic Shark Institute and the NOAA Fisheries Apex Predators Program.

Read the original:
International consortium created to study the white shark - SouthCoastToday.com