| Sea Stories>Research>Shark Bay Project |
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Sharks: the first research in the wild in the Mediterranean Sea.
 A team of journalists and researchers has discovered the only known nursery area of sandbar sharks in the Mediterranean - and the only place in this sea where it is possible to regularly see and swim with sharks.
Eleonora de Sabata, marine journalist, Luigina Aggio, underwater camera-woman, with Simona Clò and Milena Modena, marine biologists and researchers at Icram (the Italian Central Institute per Marine Research) are conducting a scientific research in Turkish waters.
The research begun in 2002 and proved to be an extraordinary scientific discovery which was announced to the scientific community at the European Elasmobranch Association meeting in Cardiff, UK.
The crew has left on May 15th to meet the sharks, the first of four campagins scheduled for 2003. The primary objective is to identify the sharks, mark them with satellite tags to follow their migration routes throughout the Mediterranean, and to understand the physical characteristics that make this Turkish bay so special to the sharks.
Read the expedition logbook!
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Research conducted by
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Eleonora de Sabata, Simona Clò, Milena Modena (ICRAM, Italy's Central Marine Research Institute), Luigina Aggio |
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Project title
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The last 'Shark Bay' in the Mediterranean sea |
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Project summary
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A preliminary campaign carried out last year confirmed the presence of sandbar sharks (Carcharhinus plumbeus) in one bay in Turkey. Over 50 sharks were photo-identified. The presence of gravid females, of mature species of both sexes and of unmistakeable signs of mating on mature females indicate that this bay is the only known nursery area of sandbar sharks in the whole Mediterranean sea, one of the few known for the whole world. The results of this preliminary research were presented at the 6th European Elasmobranch Association meeting, held in Cardiff, UK, in 2002.
The équipe will be back in Turkey in 2003 to confirm the (seasonal?) presence of the sharks in the bay; to expand the photo-ID database and to try to follow with satellite tags the migration routes of these sharks around the Mediterranean Sea. |
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Specific environmental benefit
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IUCN declared Carcharhinus plumbeus a 'vulnerable species'. In the last ten years the Atlantic population showed a dramatic decline (only 10-15% survives). No data is available for the Mediterranean, but captures which were once very frequent are now rare. Little is known about the current extent and ecology of the coastal nursery habitats of the sandbar shark; there is presently no information regarding the Mediterranean sea. This Turkish bay is the only known nursery area in the Mediterranean. Nurseries are extremely sensitive areas to sandbars, both for the perpetuation of species, and because in these places they come closest to Man's influence and are therefore extremely vulnerable. Gathering information on these animals, their behaviour, identifying and protecting their nursery (-ies?) is critically important for the protection of the species. |
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Project goals
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a. Identification and movements of the sharks
Adult sharks swim in the bay only two months a year, or so we have learnt. Where do they go after that? Newborns should remain in the bay for several months, until they are big enough to face the hazard of life in the open sea. But does this apply to this Turkish bay? In order to find an answer to these questions we will carry out:
- A pluriennal programme of photo-identification of the sharks which swim in the bay, in order to verify the frequency of their visits and to build a database of individuals, to confront with specimen caught in other areas.
- Taggings of males and females with permanent and satellite tags in order to gain information on their migratory routes through the Mediterranean sea.
b. What makes this bay so special?
Finding out the peculiarities of this bay (in terms of temperature, salinity etc) may show us why this bay is so special to the sharks. That in turn could give us a hint on where to find other nursery areas as yet unknown. Identifying and protecting such areas is or primary importance for the protection of the species in such a vulnerable moment of their lives.
c. Survey of other bays
Are sharks found in neighbouring bays? We will interview fishermen and conduct direct research trying to identify other possible nursery areas for sandbars or other species of sharks. Informal talks last year refer to the possibility of other species of sharks, possibly grey nurse sharks (a species which is extremely rare in the Med)
d. Dissemination of the results
The protection and conservation of this species can be assured also through education. We plan to start an important education campaign, to inform the public about these sharks and the problems they face in the Mediterranean sea. |
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Significance of the project
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This project is the only research on sharks carried out in the wild in the Mediterranean sea,a. on the only known breeding ground b. on a vulnerable species, c. in a sensitive moment in its life (mating and pupping), d. when it comes closest to Man's influence. |
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Timeframe
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The project begins: April 15th 2003 and will last 3 years, which may be prolonged.
Four expeditions are scheduled for each year, to assess any seasonality in the presence of adults and pups
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Sponsors
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We are grateful to the following for their assistance in this project:
- Tecnoprene, supplier of the oxygen rebreather which will allow us to observe the sharks underwater without disturbing them;
- Andrea Ghisotti, for teaching us how to use it
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Funding
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Additional sources of funding are still being sought from:
- private sponsors
- the local government
- sponsorships from companiess
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Sponsorship opportunities
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In addition to its scientific interest, this campaign has a great communication potential. People all over the world are fascinated by sharks; their presence in the mediterranean is almost unknown and represents an element of surprise. The visual impact of photos and videos of men and sharks swimming peacefully side by side is certainly very high
The crystal clear waters of this Turkey bay make up an ideal "set" both for the research and for video and photos.
For these reasons this campaign has been the object of several national and International TV documentaries and programmes, among which the Discovery Channel, and the most important nature and news magazine.
We will launch this summer a wide information campaign both on TVs, magazines, newspapers and a series of lectures. Please see the "Communication" section in this website.
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