University of Haifa researchers have been granted $100,000 from National Geographic Wayfinder to conduct a groundbreaking study on sharks in the eastern Mediterranean Sea (EMS). The region’s rich and diverse marine ecosystem provides a home for a variety of marine organisms, including sharks. Despite the challenges posed by climate change, sharks thrive in the EMS, and the researchers aim to uncover the reasons behind their resilience.
Led by National Geographic Explorer Dr. Aviad Scheinin from the University of Haifa’s Morris Kahn Marine Research Station, the project involves collaboration with partners across the EMS to combine research and education for long-term conservation efforts. The grant will play a crucial role in tracking the movement and reproduction patterns of sharks and understanding why they return to specific hotspots year after year.
Dr. Scheinin has already tagged over 100 sharks and is leading the first Shark Tagging School in the Mediterranean. The school aims to bridge the knowledge gap regarding the distribution of Israeli-tagged sharks and foster collaborations with fellow researchers in the region. By training others in safe catch-tag-and-release practices, the researchers hope to expand tagging efforts and gain valuable insights into the mysteries of sharks in the EMS.
The study will utilize state-of-the-art tagging methods, including acoustic transmitter tags and satellite tags, to monitor shark distribution. The researchers will also analyze biological data, collect environmental metadata, and deploy a network of fixed acoustic receivers to track the migration and year-round habitats of sharks in the EMS.
The collaborative research network aims to provide science-based evidence to policymakers to support the implementation of national-level protections for shark aggregations across the Mediterranean. Israel currently stands as the sole country to offer full protection to all elasmobranch species within its maritime boundaries. The study focuses specifically on two shark species – the endangered sandbar sharks and data-deficient dusky sharks.
Apart from tracking shark movement, the study will also delve into conservation physiology, focusing on the fecundity and maternal condition of the sharks. With the assistance of Dr. Leigh Livne, hormone and blood biochemical markers will be used to assess the well-being and distribution of the targeted shark species.
The researchers highlight the importance of shifting public perception of sharks from mere threats to essential stabilizing forces within marine ecosystems. Sharks play a critical role in maintaining ecological balance in marine life.
The study in the EMS will not only provide valuable insights into the requirements of shark species amid the impacts of climate change but could also serve as a model for other marine regions. By understanding the evolving dynamics of marine life in response to changing environmental conditions, researchers can contribute to the conservation and management of shark populations.
In summary, the groundbreaking study conducted by University of Haifa researchers in the EMS aims to track the movement and reproduction of sharks. Through international collaboration, the study hopes to unravel the secrets behind the resilience of sharks in the face of climate change. The researchers will utilize advanced tagging methods and physiological analysis to gain a deeper understanding of shark behavior and support conservation efforts in the region. This study has the potential to provide insights into marine ecosystems worldwide while highlighting the importance of protecting sharks for the benefit of future generations.
