With your mom....
Posted on 03/02/2022 1:44:46 PM PST by Capt. Tom
The shark scientists have a pretty good hunch
Great white shark researchers are hoping to solve the most elusive piece of the Western North Atlantic white shark puzzle: when and where they mate.
Shark scientists with OCEARCH have a pretty good hunch that the white shark mating site is off of the Carolinas, and they’re looking to confirm that in the coming month while researching there.
From OCEARCH’s shark tracking data, it’s clear that the waters off the Southeast are a site for white sharks during the winter. The researchers have tracked both male and female mature sharks coming together off the Carolinas during the winter before the females head offshore to possibly gestate.
“The OCEARCH team is excited to return to the Carolinas, as we approach the end of our journey to complete our understanding of the white shark in the Western North Atlantic, from birth to old age,” OCEARCH Chief Scientist Bob Hueter said.
“A last critical piece of the puzzle — when and where these sharks are mating — is within our grasp,” he added. “All of our science points to the area off the Carolinas in late winter as the place where the adult females and males come together to mate, so that’s where we’re heading. With good weather and good luck, we will discover the remaining piece of the puzzle.”
OCEARCH’s Expedition Carolinas will depart from Charleston, S.C., on Friday before a final docking planned in Savannah, Ga., on March 24.
The Western North Atlantic White Shark study includes a full health assessment of each shark, microbiological studies, movement, temperature and depth studies through the use of three different tags, and more.
Researchers will collect blood samples to measure reproductive hormone levels of these sharks. Also, they will assess ultrasound images of the ovary and testes and semen samples. These samples and diagnostic images will help determine if the adult sharks in the Carolinas region are reproductively active.
Where do baby white sharks spend the winter? Shark researchers have better idea after tagging shark pups in Northeast
“As we wind down the western North Atlantic white shark life history puzzle, the challenge on the water gets even greater,” said OCEARCH Founder and Expedition Leader Chris Fischer. “Our scientists now only require mature animals out of the Southeast United States during the months of March and April. This is to solidify and nail down exactly where and when white sharks are mating.
“If we’re able to do so it will be the first time in history that a white shark mating site will be identified,” he added. “This location will be crucial to monitor into the future as we continue to enjoy our slow and steady white shark population recovery off the eastern seaboard and Atlantic Canada, which will ultimately ensure that our great grandchildren see a thriving ocean system full of fish.”
Great white shark researchers recently learned that baby white sharks spend the winter months off of the Carolinas around the Outer Banks. The scientists tagged the shark pups in Northeast waters during the summer months, and tracked the babies to off the coasts of North Carolina and South Carolina during the winter.
Tom here- Male Sharks have two sex organs called claspers. They use only one at a time, and it gets roughed up, so they can check that out also to see if they were breeding. - Tom
Uh, anywhere they want to.......
Once the Chinese fishing fleets know where great white sharks spawn get ready for a lot more shark fin soup to hit the market.
Ain’t that the truth?
“Tom here- Male Sharks have two sex organs called claspers. They use only one at a time, and it gets roughed up”
No surprise here.
Wherever they want to. 🙂
More wildlife voyerism.
How many millions this time to fund professors, advisors, local specialists, and attractive college students for travel, fun, and adventure
The Sea Bed?
Agreed. An excuse to party and spend grant money.
Sounds like they prefer to meet for a big annual orgy!
That will keep some of the shark experts busy before the sharks return to New England in June. -Tom
Hopefully just off the coast of Martha’s Vineyard, where a former President has a seaside mansion.
Voyeurs.
Can’t they just use the Jawsder app?
Sharks say “Nunya bidness snoops”.
W.C Fields said he never drank water ‘cause that’s the stuff fish f*ck in.
I hope my taxpayer money isn’t funding this. I’m still waiting on free crack pipes. What’s the holdup?
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