AWSC Announces Removal of Detector Buoys, Holiday Events

The Atlantic White Shark Conservancy (AWSC) announced today that all real-time white shark detector buoys have been removed from the water and will no longer transmit detections of tagged white sharks via the Sharktivity app. As the water temperatures drop and white sharks migrate south for the winter, the detector buoys are removed to protect them from damaging winter storms and to prepare them for use next summer.

“As we conclude another season of successfully researching and tagging white sharks in collaboration with the MA DMF, we’re thankful for another season of safe coexistence between sharks and people on and around Cape Cod,” said Cynthia Wigren, Chief Executive Officer of the Atlantic White Shark Conservancy. “However, even as the temperatures drop, there’s never a guarantee our waters are shark-free, and anyone continuing to use our waters in colder weather should keep taking shark-smart precautions.”

In addition to researching white sharks, the Atlantic White Shark Conservancy delivers a range of educational services for Cape Cod residents and visitors. AWSC’s Chatham and Provincetown Shark Centers greeted over 21,000 visitors, provided educational programs and outreach to over 7,000 students, and welcomed nearly 300 guests aboard its charter boats, including 23 veterans provided with complimentary trips through AWSC’s partnership with Heroes In Transition.

“Thanks to the incredible generosity of the Atlantic White Shark Conservancy and their partners, our veterans and service members get to take part in this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to observe and learn about these magnificent creatures up close and in their natural habitat,” said John Alexander, Veterans Coordinator, Heroes in Transition, Inc.

Donations to support future trips for Heroes in Transition veterans and service members can be made here: http://igfn.us/form/ApQdIw

AWSC’s Shark Center Chatham remains active, hosting a range of holiday events:

·       Holiday Story Time - 11/30, 12/7, 12/14

·       Walking in a Great White Wonderland Holiday Light Exhibit - 11/30, 12/6, 12/7, 12/13, and 12/14

·       Book Signing with Dr. Greg Skomal - 12/7, 12-3pm

·       Shark-uterie Night with the Chatham Cheese Company - 12/12, 6-8pm

Over the winter, AWSC researchers will compile this year’s findings, download data from the detector buoys, and update the AWSC White Shark Catalog. AWSC has identified over 700 individual white sharks since it began monitoring the population in 2014. The Sharktivity app will continue to be updated over the winter with reported sightings and detections of sharks tagged with satellite trackers.