HUNTINGTON BEACH, CALIF., Nov. 27, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Satellite tracking tags have opened new doors for shark researchers. Before this technology became available, scientists only had a vague idea of where large mako sharks roamed. The satellite tags, which are mounted to the fish's dorsal fin, shoot out a location and other data every time the shark's fin pierces the surface of the water, usually a daily occurrence.
However, satellite tags don't come cheap. The cost of the tags and satellite time quickly adds up into the thousands, but thanks to a new partnership between Fishtrack.com and Salt Life, a lifestyle apparel brand, and the work of the NOAA Southwest Fisheries Science Center, there are now two more mako sharks swimming in the Pacific Ocean with satellite tags.
Dr. Heidi Dewar, who specializes in studying large sharks and her staff tagged two mako sharks off the coast of Southern California earlier this year. The tags were purchased by Salt Life and the movements of the sharks will be updated daily on Fishtrack's Live Shark Tracking page. Fishtrack and Dewar have been working together for more than a year now, tracking mako sharks in the Pacific.
To help spread awareness about mako sharks and the need to understand these apex predators, Salt Life and Fishtrack are launching a contest to name these two sharks. Starting on November 18th, users can suggest names for the two sharks. The person who submits the winning names will take home a $350 Salt Life gift card.
"We're strong supporters of the ocean and we're excited to be involved with this Shark Tracking program," said Salt Life's Chris Wagaman. "Mako sharks are some of the coolest predators in the ocean, but their populations have been severely diminished over the past decades. By tracking them, and knowing where they go, we can help protect these creatures."
While the information gathered from this Live Shark Tracking has helped gain a sense of where these big sharks go, there is still much more to find out.
"We really don't have a clue where the big females go," Dewar says. "The information gathered from the satellite tags used to track the big mako sharks is vital to understanding mako migration patterns, and protecting their nursing grounds."
To find out more about Fishtrack's Live Shark Tracking, visit fishtrack.com/live-track.
To find out more about Salt Life, visit www.saltlife.com