The Aqua Times
AN EXPEDITION WAS LAUNCHED GREAT BLASKET ISLAND IN COUNTY KERRY TO FIND GREAT WHITE SHARKS IN IRISH WATERS
OCEARCH (Shark Tracker), a global non-profit organization, announced that it will work closely with Irish scientists to carry out the expedition by travelling over 4000 miles across the Atlantic waters to study the Mediterranean White Shark population.
TAT Newsdesk
9 Sept 2024
OCEARCH is collaborating with regional scientists from Ireland, Spain and France to investigate the presence of Great White Shark in Irish, Spanish and French waters, kicking off at the Great Blasket Island in County Kerry of Ireland.
It is estimated that more than forty species of sharks inhabit the Irish waters, although there has been no sighting or confirmation of the Great White Shark. The Blasket Island has a large population of grey seals, which are the most favoured in Great White Shark’s food chain.
OCEARCH Chief Scientist and Veterinarian Dr. Harley Newton said sharks were ‘keystone species in marine ecosystems.’ Dr Newton further added: “As top predators in the food web they regulate prey populations and through that shape the diversity, abundance and distribution of other species.”
Although confirmed sightings of the massive predator of the sea are uncommon, they have occurred in the Bay of Biscay near the shores of France and Spain.
OCEARCH announced the collaboration in July stating that ‘just one shark could begin to unlock the secrets of the Mediterranean white shark population.’
According to OCEARCH Founder and Expedition Leader Chris Fischer, “Many think this is an impossible task and that white sharks aren’t located in the eastern North Atlantic waters off Ireland, France and Spain, but dozens of fisherman sightings and stories say otherwise.”
The organization also assured aid to local communities in protecting the marine ecosystems within the region. In the past 17 years, OCEARCH has embarked on 46 ocean research expeditions worldwide and studied 437 animals which has resulted in better-informed policy and conservation measurements.
is collaborating with regional scientists from Ireland, Spainand France to investigate the presence of Great White Shark in Irish, Spanish and French waters, kicking off at the Great Blasket Island in County Kerry of Ireland.
It is estimated that more than forty species of sharks inhabit the Irish waters, although there has been no sighting or confirmation of the Great White Shark. The Blasket Island has a large population of grey seals, which are the most favoured in Great White Shark’s food chain.
OCEARCH Chief Scientist and Veterinarian Dr. Harley Newton said sharks were ‘keystone species in marine ecosystems.’ Dr Newton further added: “As top predators in the food web they regulate prey populations and through that shape the diversity, abundance and distribution of other species.”
Although confirmed sightings of the massive predator of the sea are uncommon, they have occurred in the Bay of Biscay near the shores of France and Spain.
OCEARCH announced the collaboration in July stating that ‘just one shark could begin to unlock the secrets of the Mediterranean white shark population.’
According to OCEARCH Founder and Expedition Leader Chris Fischer, “Many think this is an impossible task and that white sharks aren’t located in the eastern North Atlantic waters off Ireland, France and Spain, but dozens of fisherman sightings and stories say otherwise.”
The organization also assured aid local communities in protecting the marine ecosystems within the region. In past 17 years, OCEARCH has embarked on 46 ocean research expeditions worldwide and studied 437 animals which has resulted in better-informed policy and conservation measurements.