Lemon Shark in black and white

Sharks

social sharks
Research has begun to challenge the long-standing perception of sharks as solitary hunters, revealing instead a complex social structure that requires a high level of cognitive function.

Sharks as social and sentient beings

Recent scientific research has begun to challenge the long-standing perception of sharks as solitary hunters. Rather, it reveals their complex social structure that is borne out of a high level of cognitive function.

In fact, these studies suggest that sharks possess a level of social intelligence, problem-solving skills and even emotional intelligence that far surpass previous beliefs, offering a fresh perspective on their behaviour and potential sentience.

Great white shark
Great white shark

Not all great white sharks journey alone

Two male great white sharks, named "Jekyll" and "Simon", tagged off Georgia's coast in December, displayed a groundbreaking migration pattern.

From April, Jekyll and Simon's joint journey saw them traverse the Atlantic Coast, passing places like Ocracoke and Virginia Beach in a synchronised manner. While sharks sometimes gather for mating or feeding, their migrations are usually solitary.

University of Florida biologist Karly Cohen operating the ROV from a pier in Seattle
University of Florida biologist Karly Cohen operating the ROV from a pier in Seattle

Shedding light on the mysterious ghost shark

In a bid to learn more about ghost sharks, researchers from the University of Florida (UF) and the Seattle Aquarium are using remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) to explore the oceanic depths 100 meters below the surface of the Pacific Northwest.

In particular, they want to find the nesting grounds of the Pacific spotted ratfish, as currently very little is known about their spawning habits and embryonic development.

Netflix camera boat attacked by sharks

The team had been gathering material for the David Attenborough documentary Our Planet II. They were operating an inflatable boat around the Laysan area of Northwestern Hawaiian Islands in order to capture footage of tiger sharks consuming young albatross fledglings.

"This 'v' of water came streaming towards us and this tiger shark leapt at the boat and bit huge holes in it. The whole boat exploded," Toby Nowlan, director and producer, reported. Fortunately, the boat was just about 330 feet from the closest beach and had enough air to safely transport the crew ashore.

Fresh shark fins drying on sidewalk at Hong Kong
File photo of Fresh shark fins drying on sidewalk at Hong Kong

Brazil seizes record haul of illegal shark fins

Brazil's environmental protection agency, Ibama, estimated that approximately 11,000 blue sharks and shortfin mako sharks, which Brazil listed as endangered last month, were killed.

The fins, which were destined for Asia, where shark fin soup is considered a delicacy, were found in two locations.

Announcing Shark Angels 2023 World Oceans Day Auction

Featuring some unbelievable dive expeditions around the globe, items are up for bid until June 17th and can be viewed here:  auction.sharkangels.org

“This year’s auction is bigger & better than ever,” says Executive Director, Jamie Pollack. “We’re thrilled with the support we’ve received from many of our regular donors and excited about our partnerships with new donors.

The new species of catshark has shiny white irises, which is unusual of a deep-sea species
The new species of catshark has shiny white irises, which is unusual of a deep-sea species

New shark species discovered off Australia

Most sharks give birth to live young, but a few species, known as oviparous sharks, lay eggs. The new species could be identified because researchers noticed something interesting about its egg cases, pouches that attach to a surface in the ocean and hold onto a fertilized shark eggs as it develops.

Rui Matsumoto taking an ultrasound reading on a whale shark. Photo by Simon Pierce
Rui Matsumoto taking an ultrasound reading on a whale shark. Photo by Dr Simon Pierce

Studying wild whale sharks in the Galapagos with underwater ultrasound and blood sampling

(VIDEO: Researcher Al Dove collecting a blood sample. Video by Dr Simon Pierce)

DS: What were some of the challenges encountered when doing underwater ultrasounds? How did the team overcome them?

White sharks shed genetic material (skin and feces) into their environment which can be traced in water samples.
White sharks shed genetic material (skin and feces) into their environment which can be traced in water samples.

Tracing Mediterranean Great White Sharks With DNA

As fans of crime series will know, every living creature sheds DNA through skin cells, hair, scales and other bodily secretions as they move. This leaves behind a trace in whatever environment they were in, thus becoming environmental DNA (eDNA).

An emerging molecular technique called eDNA analysis enables researchers to scan samples of water, air, or soil for tiny remnants of DNA and identify organisms it came from.

Great hammerhead shark off Bimini
Great hammerhead shark off Bimini

Great hammerhead has low genetic variation

Genomic data reveals historical population declines and high levels of inbreeding in great hammerhead.

In a recent report by the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, 31 percent of all shark species are threatened (Critically Endangered, Endangered or Vulnerable).  In 1980, only 9 species of oceanic sharks and rays were listed as threatened.