Shark Project Oman April and May Newsletter
Sunday, June 26, 2011 at 11:50AM We're beginning to forget what it is like to work outside! The Shark Project has very much moved from the field to the lab. Whilst going out to the field occasionally our primary focus is to analyse the data and tissue samples taken over the past year.
Parasites
Over the past year we have been collecting parasites found on the skin of the sharks we have sampled in the markets and whilst fishing. Now we are working with Dr Danny Tang of Hiroshima University, Japan to identify what species we have collected. Check out the pictures of the parasites in the gallery here.
By learning which species are present we will gain insight into where the pelagic species of sharks have visited and also whether they are from different populations. Results to fillow!
Market Surveys
During the course of our market visits we have visited Muttrah 5 times measuring and taking tissue samples from 39 sharks (representing 12 different species). We also got our first record of an oceanic whitetip (Carcharhinus longimanus) caught in the Gulf of Oman (previously we had only recorded them from the Arabian Sea).
Fishing
We also went out fishing 3 times out of Muscat. During this time we caught 3 animals representing 3 species and deployed our second satellite tag on a bignose shark (Carcharhinus altimus). Check out the pictures here.
DNA extraction and amplification
One of the goals of the shark project is to investigate the population structure of the commercially important shark species found in Oman. With a good understanding of whether a species population is homogenous across the length of the coastline or broken down into smaller units it will be possible to suggest rational, sustainable management measures to ensure the preservation of the animals as well as the fishing industry.
We are achieving this goal, in part, by using molecular techniques. Consequently the first months of this year has been spent perfecting our techniques of extracting and amplifying the DNA from the tissue samples we have taken over the course of the year. Results should hopefully follow in the forthcoming months!
How you can help
We would really like to here of any shark, ray and guitarfish sightings you have – so any time you see a shark whilst diving, from the side of a boat or from the beach we would be very interested to hear from you. You can drop us a line from the contact page on the website.
If you would like us to come into your school or club to talk about Oman’s sharks please drop us a line through the website contact page or call Al on 97791930.
