NOAA Fisheries Tags Two More Basking Sharks in the Pacific Ocean
Basking sharks (Cetorhinus maximus) have shown up once again off the coast of Southern California and sportfishermen and private boaters are reporting sightings from Carlsbad to the U.S./Mexico border. On Sunday, May 15, 2011, Dr. John Hyde and Owyn Snodgrass, both members of the FRD Large Pelagics Program, successfully tagged a 20-foot long basking shark four miles off Torrey Pines State beach. The Mk10-AF Transmitting Fast-GPS Tag made by Wildlife Computers is designed to record depth, temperature, and location data. This was the second basking shark tagged in the Pacific Ocean. Unfortunately the tag popped off prematurely and was found on the beach by a surfer in Mission Bay. Regardless of the premature release, the tag still recorded lots of valuable data giving scientists an opportunity to learn more about these mysterious sharks and why they are being seen off the coast of San Diego. Sightings have continued into the month of June and a third tag was deployed by John Hyde and Owyn Snodgrass on June 7th, 2011, five miles off Point Loma. NOAA biologists hope this third tag will stay on the shark for up to 8 months recording its movements and habits.
Learn more about the project here...
Watch a video of the second tagging effort.
Photo credit: Gregory B. Skomal
How you can help!
If you see a basking shark while you are on the water and can call from your vessel, please call:
John Hyde at (760) 408-7726 or Heidi Dewar at (858) 546-7023.
If you wish to report a sighting after you have returned to land please provide the date, time and location of the sighting, as well as any comments to (858) 334-2884 or send an email to Heidi.Dewar@noaa.gov.
Any photos or video would also be appreciated and can be sent to: Heidi Dewar NOAA Fisheries, SWFSC 8604 La Jolla Shore Dr. La Jolla, CA 92037
NOAA Fisheries Tags the First Basking Shark in the Pacific Ocean
On Sunday, June 6th, 2010, eight miles offshore from San Diego, California, Dr. John Hyde, the supervisor of FRD's Molecular Genetics program, and Owyn Snodgrass, a member of the FRD Large Pelagics Program, successfully tagged a basking shark, the first time this has been done in the Pacific Ocean. Satellite technology will be used to track the movements of basking sharks and determine how oceanography influences where they go and what they do. The tags will record temperature and depth throughout the track allowing us to look at habitat use. To determine the shark’s locations the tag will both link to GPS satellites when it is at the surface and record light levels which will allow us to estimate latitude and longitude.
Watch a video of the frist tagging effort.
Photo credit: Gregory B. Skomal
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