DEEP SEA SHARK RESEARCH PROJECT
ފުން ކަނޑު މިޔަރު ރީސާރޗް ޕްރޮޖެކްޓ
The Miyaru Programme has been selected for a collaboration with the National Geographic Exploration Technology Lab to study deep sea shark in the Maldives together with the National Geographic Deep Sea Project’s Chief Scientist Dr Jonatha Giddens.
Through this project, the Miyaru Programme team will be expanding its data collection capabilities to the mesopelagic (200-1000m) and bathypelagic zone (1000m-3000m) through the deployment of National Geographic’s deep-sea camera systems.
With a firm commitment to advancing our knowledge of the shark species inhabiting Maldivian waters, the Miyaru Programme team will be joining a community of scientists collaboratively acceleration global understanding and exploration of deep-sea ecosystems using breakthrough technologies the National Geographic Exploration Technology Lab.
From 200m - 3000M
The bluntnose sixgill shark (Hexancheus griseus) is the largest hexanchoid shark, growing to 20 ft in length. Very little is known about this species population structure, abundance and distribution in the Maldives beyond limited data from deep sea fisheries prior to the ban on shark fishing in 2010.
The National Geographic Deep Sea Camera Systems
Given the need for greater understanding of deep-sea biodiversity, the National Geographic Society’s Exploration Technology Lab engineered an autonomous deep-sea camera system to collect environmental data and 4k video data of deep-sea life and habitats. Data collected via ther deep-sea camera systems is analyzed through National Geographic’s custom, web-based video annotation software Tator. These deep-sea camera system have been deployed over 500 times across the world.
The gulper shark (Centrophorus granulosus) is classified as “Endangered” by the IUCN Red List. These deep sea sharks reach maturity at around age 12 to 16 years for females, and age 7 to 8 years for males and typically only have between 2 and 10 pups in their lifetime. Prior to the ban on shark fishing in the Maldives in 2010 they were actively fished for the production of liver oil.
PROJECT OBJECTIVES
Using the National Geographic deep sea cameras and in collaboration with Dr Jonatha Giddens the Miyaru Programme team seeks to:
Characterise deep sea shark biodiversity around Fuvahmulah between 200m to 3000m
Observe the abundance of deep sea shark species that were actively targeted prior to the ban on shark fishing in 2010, e.g. Bluntnose sixgill sharks (Hexancheus griseus) and gulper sharks (Centrophorus granulosus)
Observe the vertical habitat use and range distribution of deep-diving large predatory sharks (e.g. tiger sharks and scalloped hammerhead sharks) between 200m-1500m
The frilled shark (Chlamydoselachus anguineus is considered a living fossil, because of its primitive, anguilliform (eel-like) physical traits. Due to the inaccessibility of the deep sea, many research gaps relating to the distribution of these sharks within the Indian Ocean remain.
IMPORTANCE OF THE
DEEP SEA FOR SHARKS
Habitat:
Many species of sharks are adapted to living in deeper waters (500-2000m), and studying their habitats can give us a better understanding of the environmental factors that influence their behavior and distribution.
Migration:
Some shark species undertake long-distance migrations between shallow and deep waters, and studying these movements can help us to identify important areas for conservation and management.
Prey availability:
Deep-sea ecosystems are home to a variety of prey species, and understanding the distribution and abundance of these prey can help us to understand the feeding habits of sharks.
Evolutionary history:
Some deep-sea shark species are believed to be some of the most ancient shark lineages, and studying their biology and genetics can provide insights into the evolutionary history of sharks as a whole.
PAID RESEARCH ASSISTANT POSITION
We are seeking a highly motivated and technologically curious research assistant to join our team for our deep sea shark research project in collaboration with the National Geographic Exploration Technology Lab. As a research assistant, you will work closely with our team of scientists to conduct groundbreaking research in the deep sea environment. No prior experience is required.
Research assistants will receive training and actively take part in the camera deployments during a field mission in May, followed by two months of collaborative data analysis.
More information about the opportunity can be found on our Application Portal.
