Current Shark Research
Sharks still provoke fear into many people due to their bad representation in popular movies, fictional literature and fishermen’s tales, but as a leader in Global Shark Research Program we are constantly working to change that and promote a more positive image for these misunderstood fascinating marine predators.
We use forefront scientific research and the monitoring of sharks in their natural habitat to be able to generate solid biological information on sharks and produce high quality peer reviewed literature, educational material and hold public outreach events with the community to raise awareness on the conservation issues of these magnificent animals.
As an organization we work with a full spectrum of shark species from pelagic environments to coastal zones, allowing us to obtain as much valuable and diverse information on all aspects of shark biology and ecology, as well as evaluate modern shark tourism interactions to ensure there sustainability.
Our current research projects cover a range of scientific approaches and includes studies focused on the movements of shark using technological instruments, population studies for demographics, behavioral and toxicology work, anthropogenic impacts from tourism activities and morphological assessments for species ecology.
Research Objectives for the species under our investigation:
1) Understand the population demographics and distribution of all shark species in the Gulf of California.
2) Generate a robust database of pelagic sharks in our region and determine their seasonality, residency, movements and influence from environmental factors.
3) Use modern data logging instruments on sharks and other migratory species to determine specific energy conservation strategies and swimming characteristics, as well as the effect of tourism activities on the natural behaviours of these species.
4) Use extensive photo Identification techniques to catalogue and evaluate seasonal aggregations of whale sharks, manta rays and other protected species in our region, and provide biological information to support governing agencies to improve the management strategies and the sustainability of tourism activities.
5) Evaluate trace elements in commonly consumed sharks in our region and surrounding areas to generate a baseline of information to investigate any potential danger for human consumption and sale of these products in our community.
6) Investigate antibiotic susceptibilities of bacteria Isolated from the teeth of shark species used for tourism activities and commercially fished as a way to quantify the extent of antibiotic resistance in order to provide definitive microbiologically based guidance for appropriate therapy for respective victims in cases of shark bites.
7) Investigate the effects of social media content on the conservation and protection of sharks in our area.
8) Investigate the human impact on shark related tourism activities in Mexican waters and generate protocols for beneficial shark ecotourism and improve management of these resources
9) Use unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to obtain photogrammetry measurements and behavioral information of sharks for a range of scientific studies adopting non invasive approaches to survey sharks biology and ecology.
10) Generate a baseline of information on the stress response of sharks to capture form blood biomarkers to improve the ethical capture and release protocols used in shark research
Shark Research Mexico - Animal ethics and Procedures:
Shark Research Mexico works tirelessly to ensure that our research and field protocols comply with national animal welfare laws, guidelines and policies and our research is authorized by Mexican wildlife authorities under specific permits in collaboration with marine institutes in our region.
Where we are
The Gulf of California is a highly productive area, characterized by having some of the highest surface nutrient concentrations of any ocean of the world and provides refuge for resident sharks as well as transit species who use its waters for migration, foraging, reproduction and pupping. Furthermore, the Gulf of California is considered one of the most diverse seas of the world, inhabiting endemic and endangered or protected species, such as a variety of whales, dolphins, rays and even stable populations of whale sharks.
With abundant sea mounts hosting pelagic sharks, such as Mako sharks, blue sharks, silky sharks and hammerhead sharks, to coastal waters offer nursery areas in rich mangrove estuaries, sandy bottom flats and coral reef environments, our region offers a incredible diverse environment to study sharks.
La Paz Bay were our research center is based is the largest coastal water body in the Gulf of California and lies on the geographical coordinates 24°08′32.1 N 110°18′39.3 W. The bay, its surrounding islands and coastal zones are a hotspot for shark diversity and are home to whale sharks, manta and mobula rays, whales and a wide variety of other sharks from smaller commercially caught species to larger pelagic roaming sharks all taking refuge throughout the year.
Study with us
Want to make a university or school thesis on sharks. We have a number of placement options throughout the year for both undergraduate and graduate students to join our program and conduct their own research under the supervision of our team.