Sharks as Oceanic Informants: Aiding Scientists in Predicting Hurricane Strength
Following their groundbreaking accomplishment last year of successfully transmitting ocean data from a shark, scientists are now focusing their attention on harnessing this achievement to predict hurricane intensity. This innovative approach envisions sharks as roving real-time sensors in the Atlantic, a task which, up until now, has been challenging and costly.
The scientific team from the University of Delaware in the United States has equipped sharks with sensors that chart conductivity, temperature, and depth. The scientists initially presented this unique project last summer, emphasizing the potential of sharks to become crucial data gatherers in parts of the Atlantic that are hard to reach and expensive to monitor.
A crucial factor that the researchers are looking into is the heat content of the ocean’s top layer. This not only influences how powerful a hurricane becomes but also impacts its behavior as it makes landfall. Currently, the team relies partly on robotic gliders, akin to mini-submarines, to gather similar measurements. However, these machines have their limitations—they are costly, slow-moving, and can only cover restricted areas.
Contrastingly, sharks can traverse vast distances and have thus become the center of attention. Promising candidates for this oceanic mission include shortfin makos, blue sharks, smooth hammerheads, and juvenile great whites. These species regularly come up to the surface, enabling the sensors attached to their fins to transmit data to satellites.
While this idea is still under testing, the researchers are hopeful. They believe that data acquired from sharks could complement existing monitoring systems and significantly improve forecasts for hurricane intensity.
Principal Investigator, Prof. Aaron Carlisle, expressed his admiration for these oceanic creatures. He stated, “They are amazing animals perfectly adapted to the ocean, and we can learn a huge amount from them. If we can show that sharks can help people, it’s a win-win situation.”
Credit: Image provided by the University of Delaware
