SOUTH KINGSTOWN, R.I. (WPRI) — The Atlantic Shark Institute (ASI) has now tagged 50 great white sharks in an ongoing study that aims to learn more about the species.
In a press release Wednesday, ASI announced the milestone and noted that all of the sharks tagged in the study have been juveniles.
ASI Executive Director Jon Dodd told 12 News that researchers tagged the first great white shark in the study back in 2020. That shark was a small young-of-the-year, meaning it was likely in its first year of life.
“With litters that range from 2-12 pups, and females needing 30 years or more to reach sexual maturity, these young sharks are critical to the long-term health of the species,” Dodd explained. “Using acoustic telemetry and satellite tags to track where these young sharks are spending their time, and for how long, this study can be a valuable addition to science and their long-term health.”
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According to Dodd, a “vast majority” of the 50 sharks were tagged in Rhode Island waters, but the institute has also tagged some off the coast of North and South Carolina for comparative purposes…