GPS Tracking of Sharks to Predict Hurricanes
12 Aug 2014Shark Week 2014 started Sunday, August 10th on the Discover Channel, so we thought our loyal readers would enjoy a story on GPS tracking and sharks.
Researchers off the Gulf of Mexico are using GPS tracking devices to follow sharks (and other marine life), and to possibly predict future weather events.
Scientists at the University of Miami wanted to figure out a way to examine future weather trends, particularly in terms of hurricanes, as they are the biggest natural disaster issue on the east coast. To do so, they decided to take advantage of modern technology, specifically through the use of global positioning systems (GPS).
A variety of sea creatures have been tagged with GPS trackers near the Gulf of Mexico, including sharks, billfish, tarpon, and tuna. They each have an individual tag that is linked to a satellite dish. This allows the researchers to track the water temperatures and other changes as the sharks and fish swim through the ocean.
There are a total of 750 animals being tracked over the last ten years in the ocean in order to see the water temperature, as well as the salinity of different depths of the ocean.
When the researchers first started tracking fish several years ago, they didn’t intend to use the data for weather forecasting. Their goal was to provide additional helpful information to their biologists, offering data like the behavior of the fish and at what depths they typically swim. It wasn’t until a few months ago when scientists realized this same information could be used to help predict hurricanes, or at the very least, provide an advanced warning system.
Scientists believe this research will be effective because they consider the fish to be biological sensors. Typically during hurricane season, the ocean temperatures are at their warmest. Scientists believe the change of the water temperature could help weather forecasters know more about the upcoming hurricane season, simply by seeing how hot the water is.
Jerald Ault, a marine biologist, had this to say:
“The fish act as biological sensors. The fish dive, so they create a vertical picture of what the water temperature looks like.”
The tracked sharks have tags clipped to their fin. Data already collected shows the sharks go into water that measures approximately 79 degrees.
Currently, meteorologists determine the isotherms by using satellite data or from dropping sensors into a storm. Now by tracking these fish, they are able to pinpoint information more thoroughly and have some advanced warning when water temperatures begin to rise. Ault believes they will get higher resolution data from tracking the fish and it will help meteorologists have more information about upcoming storms.
As far as the fish being tracked, it is not a painful experience for them. Their first dorsal fin gets tagged because there are less blood cells there and barely any nerve tissue. By the time they are released into the ocean, they don’t feel a thing and barely notice the trackers. In the near future, researchers plan to track even more fish, such as makos, bull sharks, tiger sharks, and hammerheads.
Interested in reading more about how GPS trackers are used with sharks? Here are a few other blog posts we’ve shared throughout the years:
GPS Tracking Enables Sharks to Send Out Warning Alert Tweets on Twitter
GPS Tracking Device Alerts of Great White 5 Miles Offshore
Great White Sharks Behavior and Location Monitored with GPS Trackers
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