Atlantic Shark Institute celebrates 30th tagged great white shark

WAKEFIELD, R.I. (WLNE) — The Atlantic Shark Institute (ASI) announced Tuesday that they had tagged their 30th great white shark.

The initial goal of the current study by the ASI was to tag 10 great white sharks to add data to better help them understand the species.

“When we started this project, we hoped we would be able to capture and tag ten white sharks to shed more light on white shark activity here in RI and surrounding waters,” said Jon Dodd, Executive Director of the Atlantic Shark Institute.

“To reach 30 white sharks tagged, this quickly, simply increases the likelihood of answering questions about how white sharks use RI waters.”

The great white shark is considered vulnerable to extinction worldwide, according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature and the population continues to decline.

“Even in 2024, there is still a lot we yet to learn about the white shark, particularly in its younger years,” said Dodd.

“Our focus on Young-of-the-Year (YOY) and juvenile white sharks, makes each one we are able to document, assess, tag, and release that much more important. Those sharks are the future of the species.”

The ASI tags great white sharks using conventional tags, acoustic and satellite tags and an array of acoustic receivers.

The team is made up of more than 30 collaborators and research volunteers.

“We are wrapping up data analysis season, and field season is almost here,” said Dodd.

“In one way, it’s like the holidays for shark researchers! We love to be on the water. In another way, it can be the most grueling period of long, salty days waiting to encounter a shark.”