The SOFO Shark Research and Education Program’s mission is to enhance stewardship of Long Island’s shark community through scientific research, data sharing with marine resource managers, and educating the public about their important ecological roles.
WHAT WE DO
RESEARCH
Our collaborating research team has been studying sharks off Long Island since 2015, and were the first to satellite tag baby White Sharks in the Atlantic Ocean! Our local waters include the only known nursery area for White Sharks in the Atlantic, and this area is the focus of our scientific efforts. We use cutting-edge technologies to better understand and conserve the sharks found off Long Island, and collect data for scientists up and down the coast.
EDUCATION
In addition to our new shark exhibit, SOFO will be hosting a variety of shark-themed educational programs, public lectures, and school outreach. Check here for a list of upcoming programs:
SHARK EXHIBIT
Learn about the ecology and conservation of Long Island’s local shark species! SOFO’s one-of-a-kind exhibit brings visitors virtually face-to-face with these important marine predators. Incorporating scientific data directly from our team of collaborating scientists, the interactive exhibit includes a Virtual Shark Tagging Experience, satellite tracking maps, photos from the field, and all kinds of biological factoids about our local sharks.
Meet Jogi, named after Jürgen Friedrich, the First Ever Spinner Shark Species on the Planet to be Tagged with a CATS Cam Tag.
Tagged July 28, 2021 at 10:39am
Gallery
Additional Information:
Press Release Announcement:
The South Fork Natural History Museum (SoFo) Announces SoFo’s Shark Research and Education Program
Exploring a Great White Shark Nursery in the Shadow of New York City:
New tagging tech for great white shark tracking in New York waters:
WNYC Interview – A White Shark Nursery in the Waters Off New York City May Provide Clues to Oceanic Health:
Research article – First insights into the movements of young-of-the-year white sharks (Carcharodon carcharias) in the western North Atlantic Ocean:
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-018-29180-5
NPR Radio with Greg Metzger – How Marine Life is Changing”
https://www.wshu.org/post/how-marine-life-changing#stream/0
Tagging Juvenile Great White Sharks with OCEARCH:
https://www.onthewater.com/tagging-juvenile-white-sharks-ocearch
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation’s Coastal Sharks webpage:
Published Research:
