Shark Tracker
Background
Digital Dimensions/Australasian Natural History Unit is producing a thirteen part TV series ‘Shark Tracker’. The series is presented by Australian shark researcher Richard Fitzpatrick and venom expert Jamie Seymour. Each episode will focus on a different species of shark and will introduce relevant researchers to learn more about the sharks found in Australian waters. The show will highlight the current conservation status of each species and illustrate various techniques and tracking methods which are used to study sharks. One of the main aims of the program is to demonstrate cutting edge science in action. As part of this program a number of telemetry tags and tracking equipment is required.
Aims & objectives
The aims of Shark Tracker TV series are: To increase public understanding and awareness of the sharks inhabiting Australian waters. To provide a way for the public to get involved in shark conservation and research. To provide a platform to educate the public about the progress that has been made in shark science and profile cutting edge research. To enable increased shark research efforts to take place through funding from the series, and ultimately have the research used as the basis for better conservation management.
In Australia there are numerous conservation concerns over sharks and the general health of the oceans. The series will highlight the vulnerability of shark stocks in the Coral Sea and raise awareness amongst the general public and the various management agencies. It will also draw attention to ways of protecting sharks and current projects currently underway that aim to do this. Several species of conservation concern will be featured, including: Tiger sharks – numbers and size ranges Reef sharks – numbers are decreasing within the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Sawfish – numbers are regarded as critical in many northern rivers Grey Nurse – current marine parks are to small and many sharks are still hooked when moving between marine reserves Great White – declining numbers Wobbegong – declining numbers Whale sharks – the numbers and size range of sharks spotted at Ningaloo reef are still on the decline.
In Australia there are numerous conservation concerns over sharks and the general health of the oceans. The series will highlight the vulnerability of shark stocks in the Coral Sea and raise awareness amongst the general public and the various management agencies. It will also draw attention to ways of protecting sharks and current projects currently underway that aim to do this. Several species of conservation concern will be featured, including: Tiger sharks – numbers and size ranges Reef sharks – numbers are decreasing within the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Sawfish – numbers are regarded as critical in many northern rivers Grey Nurse – current marine parks are to small and many sharks are still hooked when moving between marine reserves Great White – declining numbers Wobbegong – declining numbers Whale sharks – the numbers and size range of sharks spotted at Ningaloo reef are still on the decline.