Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

White Shark Research (Maine)
State of Maine Department of Marine Resources ^ | updated on April 20, 2021 | Staff

Posted on 05/20/2021 7:56:23 AM PDT by Capt. Tom

Sharks in New England The Northwest Atlantic Ocean is home to a variety of marine species, and sharks are no exception. From the large filter-feeding basking shark to the small bottom-dwelling spiny dogfish, sharks of all shapes and sizes can be found inhabiting the waters of New England. Perhaps the most notorious and charismatic of these fishes, however, is the white shark.

White sharks are classified as a highly migratory species, traveling large distances in search of optimal foraging and mating opportunities. Their presence in New England is historically documented, and they are most often observed during late spring, summer, and fall months. White sharks are considered an apex predator of their ecosystems, meaning they exist at the top of the food web with few predators. Young white sharks predominantly prey on bony fish, but as they grow and mature, the primary source of food transitions to marine mammals.

Concerning their populations, the management of white sharks in the Northwestern Atlantic could be considered a conservation success story. Research suggests that abundance has increased following the implementation of conservation measures in the 1990’s, and protection of marine mammals in the 1970’s has resulted in recovery of seal populations, which are a major prey of white sharks. However, according to the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN), as of 2019 the white shark remains a globally vulnerable species, threatened by fishing and harvesting in parts of the world.

Ongoing Research and Collaboration In 2020, the Maine Department of Marine Resources, in collaboration with Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries, the Atlantic White Shark Conservancy, and James Sulikowski of Arizona State University, initiated efforts to monitor the presence of white sharks in southern Maine waters. With the placement of acoustic monitoring devices (or “receivers”), which record signals from acoustic transmitters (or “tags”) attached to sharks by researchers outside the DMR, the DMR and its collaborators monitored trends in coastal shark activity. Results from this preliminary survey are being used to expand the survey’s scope in 2021.

To further improve the management and scientific knowledge of white sharks in the Northern Atlantic, Maine DMR has partnered with several regional organizations to form the New England White Shark Research Consortium (NEWSRC). With access to a large variety of resources and knowledge, the DMR and NEWSRC aims to further our understanding of white shark ecology, distribution, and habitat use. Members of the NEWSRC include: Atlantic Shark Institute, Atlantic White Shark Conservancy, Center for Coastal Studies, Canada Fisheries and Oceans, Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries, New England Aquarium, New Hampshire Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Apex Predators Program, Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management and Division of Marine Fisheries, Sulikowski Shark Lab of Arizona State University, University of Maine, Bigelow Laboratory, University of Massachusetts (Amherst and Dartmouth), and University of New Hampshire.

Receiver sites

The department deployed 11 receivers between Wells and Popham Beach State Park.

All sites were chosen to ensure that data supports efforts to protect public safety and to provide important information about migration and habitat use of great white sharks in the Gulf of Maine.

Receivers deployed in 2020 were retrieved in the fall and data was downloaded by DMR Science Bureau staff. It has been shared with Mass DMF which will incorporate it into its ongoing research.

Data from the acoustic receivers has also been provided to the Atlantic White Shark Conservancy which uploaded it to their Sharktivity app. The app provides users with a recap of shark activity detected by receivers, in addition to shark sightings information and alerts. The app also allows users to upload their own photos and locations of sharks they spot. Information and app downloads can be found at https://www.atlanticwhiteshark.org/sharktivity-app.

2020 Acoustic Receiver Array Details

Receivers deployed: 11 Depths range: 27’ to 55’ Total fish detected: 45 Non-shark fish: 29 Total transmitter pings: 20,244 Non-shark pings: 19,000+ Shark Species Observed

White Shark (Carcharodon carcharias): 14 Blue Shark (Prionace glauca): one Sand Tiger Shark (Carcharhinus taurus): one

Detection Highlights

Earliest detection: “Lockjaw” on Jul 25th at Stratton Island Latest detection: “White Shark 2020_07” on Nov 8th at Wells Largest shark: “Gillie” – 15’ female white shark tagged in 2015 Smallest shark: unnamed 4.5’ female white shark tagged in 2017 Sharks detected by two or more receivers: “Joanie”, “Salty”, “White Shark 2020_07”, and one unnamed Most mobile shark: “White Shark 2020_07” - detected at six receivers from Aug 20th (Popham) to Nov 8th (Wells) Most active months: August (seven white sharks) September (five white sharks, one blue shark) Most active receivers: Bailey’s Island (four white sharks) and north Wood Island north (four white sharks, one blue shark) Plans for 2021

Maine DMR plans to deploy 33 acoustic receivers in 2021 in collaboration with partners in the New England White Shark Research Consortium. The receivers will continually log and store data until they are retrieved and data is downloaded. DMR plans to retrieve the receivers and download data at least once during 2021 and again when they are pulled for the winter.

Acknowledgements

Receiver array made possible in 2020 thanks to members of the New England White Shark Research Consortium, with special thanks to Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries, Atlantic White Shark Conservancy, and the Sulikowski lab. Transmitters detected by this array originate from regional collaborators both within and outside the consortium.

About the New England White Shark Research Consortium

Maine DMR, in collaboration with members of the New England White Shark Research Consortium, aims to characterize the presence and habitat use of white sharks in coastal Maine waters. Established in 2020, the consortium continues to expand its monitoring coverage within the northern Gulf of Maine and throughout the region.


TOPICS: Local News; Miscellaneous; Science
KEYWORDS: consortium; hydrophones; maine
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021 next last
Right after Maine had its fist fatality of a white shark killing a swimmer last summer they immediately put out some shark detection buoys and will put out more this coming summer of 2021.

It seems they now know like Massachusetts there is no shortage of white sharks around, since the Feds gave the seals and the white sharks protection.

This coming summer inNew England should be full of white shark news with all of he shark biologists congregating here. We are only a few weeks away from the first sighting or "pings" of white sharks on the hydrophones that have recently put out for the upcoming summer season. -Tom

1 posted on 05/20/2021 7:56:23 AM PDT by Capt. Tom
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: Capt. Tom

I remember seeing a film, many, many years ago, before computers and internet, that showed a shark in a pool that had a tiny current flowing between electrodes in the water.
The shark would not cross that line.

I thought then that it would be a great shark deterrent for beaches and not be very expensive. High voltage not required, so solar panels could be attached to permanent buoys anchored into the sea floor about a hundred yards out and keep a constant current flow that the sharks would not cross, like an electrified fence for livestock................


2 posted on 05/20/2021 8:01:19 AM PDT by Red Badger (Jesus said there is no marriage in Heaven. That's why they call it Heaven.....................)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Capt. Tom

There’s a slew of stupid environmental decisions in Califorrnia. One being saving the white sharks. There’s so many now it’s just dangerous to swim in some areas. Never had such a population of killers.

In other news regarding killed, Newsom keep the Mexican border open to drugs and killers and has opened the jails a few times.

California loves its deadly sharks.


3 posted on 05/20/2021 8:02:52 AM PDT by Karliner (Heb 4:12 Rom 8:28 Rev 3, "...This is the end of the beginning." Churchill)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Red Badger; TMN78247; Makana; 1Old Pro; Roccus; Justa; Faith65; rlmorel; JPJones; mewzilla; ...
I remember seeing a film, many, many years ago, before computers and internet, that showed a shark in a pool that had a tiny current flowing between electrodes in the water. The shark would not cross that line.

This summer on Cape Cod they are going to experiment with that technology for beaches..

Also some individuals have bought electrical devices to put on their surf boards kayacks, flippers etc. - Tom

4 posted on 05/20/2021 8:38:56 AM PDT by Capt. Tom (.It's COVID 2021 - The Events, not us, are still in charge -Tom)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: Capt. Tom
Also some individuals have bought electrical devices to put on their surf boards kayacks, flippers etc. - Tom

That might not work too well. The shark might be repelled, but only AFTER the bite....................

5 posted on 05/20/2021 8:45:33 AM PDT by Red Badger (Jesus said there is no marriage in Heaven. That's why they call it Heaven.....................)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: Red Badger

This is the best new film on the subject IMHO

https://www.pbs.org/video/great-white-shark-new-perspectives-of-an-ancient-predator-zidgxv/


6 posted on 05/20/2021 8:47:59 AM PDT by golux
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: Capt. Tom

7 posted on 05/20/2021 9:09:19 AM PDT by monkeyshine (live and let live is dead)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Capt. Tom

If you wander around in a shark’s kitchen, don’t be surprised when you end up being dinner.


8 posted on 05/20/2021 9:20:37 AM PDT by bgill
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: bgill
If you wander around in a shark’s kitchen, don’t be surprised when you end up being dinner.

Several articles I have written about white sharks and had published, I usually end with the following paragraph:

"And expect the white shark encounters to continue with people, when us humans enter the white shark’s domain, which begins when the saltwater gets above our knees". - Tom ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

9 posted on 05/20/2021 9:33:32 AM PDT by Capt. Tom (.It's COVID 2021 - The Events, not us, are still in charge -Tom)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 8 | View Replies]

To: Capt. Tom; TMN78247; Makana; 1Old Pro; Roccus; Justa; Faith65; rlmorel; Red Badger; JPJones; ...
Well how about this. A few moments ago I was on the telephone with a shark biologist friend who IMHO knows more about the white sharks in New England than any other individual shark biologist.

We will continue our conversation at a later time as he has to have a meeting shortly with other shark biologists.

He gave me permission to tell my fellow freepers that white sharks have already been sighted in Massachusetts recently, without going into detail.
Also he told me there are also plenty of basking sharks here also. So any day now, this white shark information will surface in the news. -Tom

10 posted on 05/20/2021 10:02:21 AM PDT by Capt. Tom (.It's COVID 2021 - The Events, not us, are still in charge -Tom)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Capt. Tom

Here we have Bull sharks that can even tolerate fresh water!...................


11 posted on 05/20/2021 10:17:52 AM PDT by Red Badger (Jesus said there is no marriage in Heaven. That's why they call it Heaven.....................)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 10 | View Replies]

To: Capt. Tom

Heading to the ME coast next week, probably swim at the hotel. Ocean has to be cold still.


12 posted on 05/20/2021 1:18:38 PM PDT by 1Old Pro
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Capt. Tom; TMN78247; Makana; 1Old Pro; Roccus; Justa; Faith65; rlmorel; Red Badger; JPJones; Liz; ..
[A shark biologist] gave me permission to tell my fellow freepers that white sharks have already been sighted in Massachusetts recently, without going into detail.

Also he told me there are also plenty of basking sharks here also.

* * *

Ah, yes. There's nothing quite like basking in the sun of a Cape Cod beach in the summer.


13 posted on 05/21/2021 2:54:09 AM PDT by poconopundit (Hard oak fist in an Irish velvet glove: Kayleigh the Shillelagh we salute your work!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 10 | View Replies]

To: poconopundit
Ah, yes. There's nothing quite like basking in the sun of a Cape Cod beach in the summer.

I see you have the same problem posting a photo that I have. Makes me wonder if FR has changed their photo HTML for posting a photo.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Any day now I expect the news of the the first white shark sighting here in New England to be officially recognized. -Tom

14 posted on 05/21/2021 6:56:33 AM PDT by Capt. Tom (.It's COVID 2021 - The Events, not us, are still in charge -Tom)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 13 | View Replies]

To: poconopundit

Sandy beaches by the sea.

Gawd! how awful. Abhor the seaside. All the grit
and the SUNBURN. Miserable the remainder of ‘vacation’
week.


15 posted on 05/21/2021 9:26:27 AM PDT by V K Lee (Resist, we will! Remember, we must!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 13 | View Replies]

To: V K Lee

It was fun as a kid. Getting in the water to cool down is fun. We would build sand castles in the wet sand.

Some good memories, but alas that was a different time and place.


16 posted on 05/21/2021 11:21:55 AM PDT by poconopundit (Hard oak fist in an Irish velvet glove: Kayleigh the Shillelagh we salute your work!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 15 | View Replies]

To: poconopundit

LOL....shark image. Remember ‘land shark’ once a constant
cry on Saturday Night Live. Smart sharks, they had learned
to knock. :-)

Enjoy fishing, otherwise the water holds no interest, and the sun even less. Remember being so sunburned chills and fever for days on end. Miserable memories.


17 posted on 05/21/2021 5:02:28 PM PDT by V K Lee (Resist, we will! Remember, we must!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 16 | View Replies]

To: V K Lee
Since moving to Georgia, black full-length tee-shirts are mandatory for me in the summer. I had a pre-cancerous mile removed from my back a couple years ago.

The Mrs. meanwhile is out in the sun almost everyday playing pickleball. And her arms, legs, and shoulders have become very dark. Fortunately for her, she has Asian skin which is far more resistant to the sun's harm.

The university library fully opened up to "no masks required" if you have a vaccine (but nobody's checking). So that means I'll be working more often there to enjoy their air conditioning and the splendid walks in the morning through the North Campus with many huge Live Oak trees.

Supremely blessed, the poet in his Muse.

18 posted on 05/21/2021 10:04:40 PM PDT by poconopundit (Hard oak fist in an Irish velvet glove: Kayleigh the Shillelagh we salute your work!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 17 | View Replies]

To: poconopundit

Freedom at last! Our Gov. has dropped any mask
mandate.
Not allowed in government buildings, schools.
Visit this week to the heart clinic, forgetting
to put on mask when leaving the car.
Checked in, they immediately asked if I had a mask.
Oh, it is in the car. I’ll be right back.
No, we have one here for you. Gave me the mask.
Attempted to wear the darn thing and adjust it
properly. One of the nurses said leave it
in place. They were adamant in that their rules be followed. Still taking temperatures before
entering the building.
Dr. asked DH if he had been vaxed. ‘You need to get the jab’. DH still undecided. It would be foolish to do so but it must be HIS decision only. Personally, The Covid is nothing but figure manipulation and a big farce. Don’t plan on any needle. Have seen too many in the last few years which is more than enough, thank you.

AC - the inventor of AC What would Texans have done without this smart individual? If homes had no AC, might even consider moving north for a few months every year. LOL or camp out in a theater, book store, library. Those 115+ degrees are few and far between but we always have a few every summer. But seldom do we ever see below zero temps...until THIS year!


19 posted on 05/21/2021 10:40:50 PM PDT by V K Lee (Resist, we will! Remember, we must!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 18 | View Replies]

To: V K Lee

Can’t stand the masks as well. I’m pretty sure that keeping the A/C on U of Georgia’s massive library is essential to keeping the books free from mold in the hot Georgia summertime.

So why not allow citizens access to these magnificent buildings and the coolness! Even the Environmental Wackos can’t complain about sharing the coolness.

Besides, UGA is a STATE owned facility so I have a right of access to it as a taxpayer.

Take care.


20 posted on 05/21/2021 11:24:02 PM PDT by poconopundit (Hard oak fist in an Irish velvet glove: Kayleigh the Shillelagh we salute your work!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 19 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson