.jpg)
This summer I was fortunate enough to take part in a school trip aboard the motor vessel, Ocearch. The plan was to spend six days on the water learning from the scientists and crew members aboard the ship, and hopefully catching the elusive North Atlantic White Shark off the south shore of Long Island. Ocearch is a nonprofit organization that provides a vehicle for marine biologists to collect data on some of the world’s largest and most elusive apex predators.
The Ocearch crew has completed 26 expeditions worldwide including South Africa, Australia, and the Galapagos. The purpose of the expeditions is to allow scientists in the area to gather data on the sharks in their local waters. As apex predators, they need to be studied and understood in order to protect the ecosystem they hold together. The Ocearch team believes in the principle of "Ocean First.” What this entails is open sourcing the data they collect to expedite the process of protecting marine life.
Although researchers have been tagging sharks for years, a juvenile white shark had yet to be found. The data collected from Shark Mary Lee's tags and studies conducted by lead scientist Toby Curtis (@MojoShark) led the Ocearch team to believe they had found a Great White Shark nursery on the South Shore of Long Island. The theory is that mature white sharks mate in the waters around Cape Cod and Nantucket, then move down the coast to Long Island to give birth. Expedition New York was launched with the purpose of catching and tagging the first ever juvenile White Sharks and identifying a juvenile shark nursery and birthing site. This historic achievement would provide the data necessary to protect Long Island waters from long line fishermen and poachers.
Many people think that during an expedition the Ocearch crew just pull shark after shark out of the water. Our expectations of fast paced action and delusions of grandeur were quickly put to rest. Most of our time on the water was spent waiting. This allowed our group the opportunity to pick the brains of each scientist aboard the boat. The wealth of information available to us and the liberal exchange of ideas and knowledge made for a very friendly and educational environment. The scientists from New York Aquarium and Mote Marine Labs were happy to share their stories with us.
It is a common misconception that Great White Sharks pose a significant danger to humans. Only 4.2 fatal shark attacks take place each year around the globe. To put it in perspective, you are more likely to be struck by lightning than stare down a Great White. Part of the Ocearch mission is dispel the myth of the predacious Great White Shark promoted by movies like Jaws and Sharknado one, two, and three. Aside from learning about sharks, there was also a lot to learn about the ocean. The crew taught us the importance of getting rid of plastic by using recyclable water bottles. Simple things like recycling plastic and cutting up soda can rings can make a huge difference in the quality and safety of the earth’s oceans.
Over the course of the expedition the Ocearch crew caught and tagged nine juvenile white sharks. My classmates and I were fortunate enough to be on board during the capture and tagging of the first ever juvenile White Shark named Montauk. It was truly an honor to witness such a historical moment.
My experience aboard the motor vessel Ocearch was truly eye opening. Seeing how much love each person aboard the boat had for their research was inspiring in many ways. One scientist had been studying sharks for sixteen years, and we were able to be with her when she saw her first Great White Shark.
Chris Fischer (@ChrisOearch) and the Ocearch team are true professionals. They were very welcoming to our group and treated us like we were a part of their tight knit family. I cannot wait for another opportunity to spend time with the Ocearch team, and I can say without a doubt that this was the highlight of my summer.
This summer I was fortunate enough to take part in a school trip aboard the motor vessel, Ocearch. The plan was to spend six days on the water learning from the scientists and crew members aboard the ship, and hopefully catching the elusive North Atlantic White Shark off the south shore of Long Island. Ocearch is a nonprofit organization that provides a vehicle for marine biologists to collect data on some of the world’s largest and most elusive apex predators.
The Ocearch crew has completed 26 expeditions worldwide including South Africa, Australia, and the Galapagos. The purpose of the expeditions is to allow scientists in the area to gather data on the sharks in their local waters. As apex predators, they need to be studied and understood in order to protect the ecosystem they hold together. The Ocearch team believes in the principle of "Ocean First.” What this entails is open sourcing the data they collect to expedite the process of protecting marine life.
Although researchers have been tagging sharks for years, a juvenile white shark had yet to be found. The data collected from Shark Mary Lee's tags and studies conducted by lead scientist Toby Curtis (@MojoShark) led the Ocearch team to believe they had found a Great White Shark nursery on the South Shore of Long Island. The theory is that mature white sharks mate in the waters around Cape Cod and Nantucket, then move down the coast to Long Island to give birth. Expedition New York was launched with the purpose of catching and tagging the first ever juvenile White Sharks and identifying a juvenile shark nursery and birthing site. This historic achievement would provide the data necessary to protect Long Island waters from long line fishermen and poachers.
Many people think that during an expedition the Ocearch crew just pull shark after shark out of the water. Our expectations of fast paced action and delusions of grandeur were quickly put to rest. Most of our time on the water was spent waiting. This allowed our group the opportunity to pick the brains of each scientist aboard the boat. The wealth of information available to us and the liberal exchange of ideas and knowledge made for a very friendly and educational environment. The scientists from New York Aquarium and Mote Marine Labs were happy to share their stories with us.
It is a common misconception that Great White Sharks pose a significant danger to humans. Only 4.2 fatal shark attacks take place each year around the globe. To put it in perspective, you are more likely to be struck by lightning than stare down a Great White. Part of the Ocearch mission is dispel the myth of the predacious Great White Shark promoted by movies like Jaws and Sharknado one, two, and three. Aside from learning about sharks, there was also a lot to learn about the ocean. The crew taught us the importance of getting rid of plastic by using recyclable water bottles. Simple things like recycling plastic and cutting up soda can rings can make a huge difference in the quality and safety of the earth’s oceans.
Over the course of the expedition the Ocearch crew caught and tagged nine juvenile white sharks. My classmates and I were fortunate enough to be on board during the capture and tagging of the first ever juvenile White Shark named Montauk. It was truly an honor to witness such a historical moment.
My experience aboard the motor vessel Ocearch was truly eye opening. Seeing how much love each person aboard the boat had for their research was inspiring in many ways. One scientist had been studying sharks for sixteen years, and we were able to be with her when she saw her first Great White Shark.
Chris Fischer (@ChrisOearch) and the Ocearch team are true professionals. They were very welcoming to our group and treated us like we were a part of their tight knit family. I cannot wait for another opportunity to spend time with the Ocearch team, and I can say without a doubt that this was the highlight of my summer.
