Scientists Attach Improved Sensors to White Sharks in Massachusetts’ Cape Cod Waters

Key Highlights :

1. White sharks are returning to the Cape Cod area in greater numbers to feed on the region's abundant seals.

2. The Fisheries Division and the nonprofit Atlantic White Shark Conservancy are using improved sensors, including cameras, to track the sharks.

3. The technology allows scientists to monitor the sharks on a second-by-second basis.

4. If a shark has not been tagged, it won't be detected.

5. The goal of the program is to provide information to the public so they can make informed decisions while at the beach.

     As the summer season approaches and tourists flock to the beaches of Massachusetts’ Cape Cod, the waters are also filling up with white sharks. To help protect beachgoers and to keep track of the predators’ whereabouts, researchers have been attaching improved sensors, including cameras, to the white sharks in the area.

     The Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries and the nonprofit Atlantic White Shark Conservancy have been tagging the sharks for more than a decade. The tags emit a high-frequency sound to an array of receivers along the coast, and public safety officials and lifeguards are notified when a shark swims within range of an acoustic receiver.

     This year, researchers are taking monitoring a step further by attaching camera sensors to the predators. The cameras capture more than just video, as they also detect a shark’s depth, direction, surrounding water temperature, and whether it’s accelerating or slowing down. The technology allows scientists to monitor the sharks on a second-by-second basis, providing them with valuable insight into the creatures’ behavior.

     The data is also made available to the public via a free app, so beachgoers can make informed decisions before entering the water. In addition to the camera sensors, researchers are also using drones to spot sharks from above, a method that has been employed in other parts of the world.

     Interactions between white sharks and humans are rare, but the risk is still there. Since 2012, there have been five white shark encounters in Massachusetts, three of which were classified as bites, one of which was fatal.

     The improved sensors and camera tags are giving scientists the opportunity to better understand white sharks and their habits, which will help to ensure the safety of beachgoers. With the help of the technology, researchers can monitor the predators on a second-by-second basis, giving them a better understanding of the creatures and their environment.

Continue Reading at Source : phys