Ruthlessly persecuted, completely misunderstood and now critically endangered. OCEARCH, is traveling over 4,000 miles across the Atlantic to explore European waters and study the Mediterranean white shark population.
During Expedition Save the Med OCEARCH will collaborate with regional scientists to learn more about the sharks in the waters surrounding Spain, France, and Ireland, and help protect our oceans.
White sharks are classified as critically endangered in the Mediterranean Sea and this region is in desperate need of conservation measures to reduce the effects of overfishing, pollution, and habitat destruction that threaten its future. Our large apex predators create balance and abundance in marine ecosystems; if we can save our sharks, we can save our seas.
“Sharks are keystone species in marine ecosystems. As top predators in the food web they regulate prey populations and through that shape the diversity, abundance, and distribution of other species. This abundance and diversity is key to the health of marine habitats as well as human livelihoods,” explains OCEARCH Chief Scientist & Veterinarian Dr. Harley Newton.
Confirmed sightings of white sharks are a rare occurrence in the eastern North Atlantic, but have been confirmed in the Bay of Biscay along the Spanish and French coasts. Credible accounts of white shark observations have also been made along the southern and northern extents of the United Kingdom. It is believed that the white sharks in this region are part of the Mediterranean population, and leave the Mediterranean Sea to forage in eastern North Atlantic waters on seals and tuna.
Finding white sharks at feeding sites has been a successful strategy for OCEARCH’s work with other populations. For this reason, we will begin our work on the Mediterranean population by seeking white sharks in the eastern North Atlantic off the coasts of Spain, France and Ireland. Just one shark could begin to unlock the secrets of the Mediterranean white shark population and help us protect the marine ecosystems in this region.
“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 fishermen sightings and stories say otherwise. OCEARCH began by bringing together fishermen and scientists to push the knowledge on our oceans further and we will continue to trust the instincts of those that spend their lives on the water. This coupled with our experience with white sharks across the globe brings our research here,” stated OCEARCH Founder and Expedition Leader Chris Fischer.
OCEARCH has a proven track record. Over the past 17 years they have embarked on 46 ocean research expeditions across the globe and studied 437 animals. Data collected on these expeditions has resulted in over 90 peer reviewed publications that have helped better inform policy and conservation measurements.
Expedition Save the Med kicks off this summer across two expeditions. The first leg takes place off the coasts of Spain and France from July 29 – August 27 and the second leg will explore the eastern North Atlantic waters off the coast of Ireland from September 2-23. Explore alongside the team in real time on social media: @OCEARCH.
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