Great White Mystery.

Why it is important to support this project:

Danger of ignorance

In the period 2019 to 2023, there were three fatal accidents involving scallop fishermen in the region. After these accidents, more large, pregnant great white sharks were fished in "retaliation". Pictures of it reached Dr. Hoyos. The fatal accidents and the great white sharks caught have prompted him to start an extensive educational program for the fishermen.

The training courses are designed to help professional fishermen survive an encounter with the large sharks underwater through proper behavior and to develop a better understanding of the habitat and behavior of the great white sharks.

The role of SHARKPROJECT

SHARKPROJECT has been supporting Dr. Hoyos' work for years to not only protect the great white sharks, but also to use the knowledge gained to exert political and legal influence on governments and officials.

Tagging of Great White Sharks

Dr. Hoyos takes tissue samples to determine whether the female great white sharks are identifiable and to prove their origin from Guadalupe. An ultrasound is used to examine whether pregnancy is present. If this is the case, a so-called birth TAG is inserted into the animal’s uterus. This is completely harmless to both the mother and the unborn shark babies. When the birth occurs, the TAG is the first to leave the uterus and send the location of the birth to Dr. Hoyos from the surface of the water.

This data can be used to establish new protection zones (MPAs) to protect the juvenile great white sharks.

Protection through more knowledge

The educational work for the local fishermen is coordinated by Dr. Hoyos and the government of the state of Sonora. The training courses are intended to educate fishermen about great white sharks, their behaviour, their worldwide protection and their importance in the ecosystem. The work has already had a positive effect. In the meantime, two fishermen have been able to survive the shark encounters unharmed by correct behavior under water.

Cooperation

The fishermen of the region are informed that great white sharks are not allowed to be fished because they are protected worldwide. They are also asked to report sightings to Dr. Hoyos. This is to help track down great white sharks in the region so that scientific work can be carried out on them.