Researchers from Stony Brook University’s School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences (SoMAS) recently conducted a shark tagging expedition in the New York Bight, off Fire Island. The work was led by PhD candidates and researchers from the laboratories of Professor Michael Frisk and Assistant Professor Oliver Shipley.
The team focused on studying several shark species native to the Atlantic Ocean near Long Island. According to Michael Fogg, research technician in the Frisk Laboratory, “We’re trying to really understand all of the species that we’re researching and understand, why are they here, why are they utilizing this habitat. We actually really don’t know that much about sharks here in Long Island.”
During the expedition, researchers collected samples from sharks and attached acoustic tags to monitor their movement and activity. The data gathered will help with analysis of their diet and habitat use.
PhD student Ashley Wechsler emphasized the importance of this work: “We’re just learning a lot about them, which is important for not only their management as a species and keeping their populations healthy.”
Further information about ongoing research at SoMAS can be found on the school’s website.
