New Bedford Guide Your Guide to New Bedford and South Coast, MA
New Bedford and Umass Dartmouth are at the center of groundbreaking scientific research that finds Cape Cod as one of the world’s largest hotspots for great white sharks.
In a scientific article named, “An open spatial capture−recapture framework for estimating the abundance and seasonal dynamics of white sharks at aggregation sites“ all 3 scientists are either working out of a New Bedford-based facility and/or affiliated with Umass Dartmouth.
The 3 cited scientists are:
Photo credit: Atlantic White Shark Conservancy’ Megan V. Winton.
Megan V. Winton who is a ’23, PhD candidate at UMass Dartmouth’s School for Marine Science and Technology (SMAST) in New Bedford, MA 02744, USA and staff scientist at the Atlantic White Shark Conservancy (AWSC) in North Chatham, MA 02650, USA.
Photo Credit: Boston University.
Gregory B. Skomal PhD, is a leading Massachusetts shark researcher and an experienced aquarist and Marine Fisheries Biologist conducting this research out of Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries, New Bedford, MA 02744, USA.
Photo Credit: The University of Washington.
Gavin Fay who is a professor at the Department of Fisheries Oceanography, School for Marine Science and Technology, University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, New Bedford, MA 02744, USA.
This study has deservedly made national headlines with researchers collecting nearly 3,000 videos of shark sightings from 137 trips to Cape Cod beaches which determined about 800 white sharks paid a visit to Cape waters between 2015 to 2018.
Sometimes we forget how truly lucky we are in the south coast to be surrounded by so many amazing scientific programs and world renown researchers.
Lets all tip the cap to these hard working individuals and look forward to all of the exciting research to come!
