Atlantic White Shark Conservancy Concludes Successful 2023 Research Season

34 Individual White Sharks Tagged in Waters off Cape Cod from July to October

The Atlantic White Shark Conservancy (AWSC) has completed its 2023 research season, advancing its mission to support scientific research, improve public safety, and educate the community to inspire white shark conservation.

Dr. Gregory Skomal of the Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries (DMF), working with the Conservancy, successfully tagged 34 white sharks off Cape Cod during 22 research trips conducted from July through late October. Since the DMF began its tagging program, 304 individual white sharks have been tagged off the coast of Cape Cod.

For the second year, the Conservancy has been using drone technology to collect video footage of white sharks in Cape Cod waters. The footage collected is being used to investigate potential relationships between environmental conditions and predatory behavior and to evaluate the potential efficacy of a frequently proposed shark surveillance measure.

Additionally, members of the AWSC team attended the White Sharks Global conference in Port Lincoln, Australia, in November. Megan Winton, AWSC Senior Scientist, presented on her first-of-its-kind population estimate that was published earlier this year, and Kristen Smith, AWSC Community Engagement Manager, presented on the Conservancy’s STEM-based initiative for girls interested in shark science – the Gills Club. 

“The conference provided a valuable opportunity to share information with the international white shark science community about ongoing research and education programs and learn from scientists working at other white shark hotspots around the world,” said Winton. “The last white shark focused conference was held in 2010, just as Cape Cod was emerging as a new hotspot.”