New technology, designed and
developed in Townsville, will take a huge bite out of the risks of
shark research.
Townsville-based shark researcher and filmmaker Richard Fitzpatrick
of Digital Dimensions has been placing satellite tags on tiger
sharks to track their movements in and around the north coast of
Queensland.In the past
Fitzpatrick relied on barbless hooks to pull the shark close to the
boat, then enter the water with the shark and tail rope it. The new
technology involves a tail clamp that is deployed from a small boat
and is quicker and far less stressful on both the shark and
researchers.
The tail clamp known as the 'Shark Claw' was designed by Fitzpatrick
and built by Townsville engineer Gavin Maughan.
'Shark Claw will definitely redefine the type of shark research that
can be achieved. It will also have implications for research on
other large oceanic animals. I have already been approached by
overseas researchers to help tag other species of large sharks,'
Fitzpatrick said.
A female tiger shark
has been captured and tagged using the Shark Claw during a recent
expedition on the eco-tourism vessel Undersea Explorer. She was
tagged at Raine Island in the Far Northern Section of the Great
Barrier Reef. Raine Island is the world's largest Green Turtle
rookery and Fitzpatrick is conducting research into possible
migration patterns of Tiger sharks that may coincide with the summer
nesting of green turtles.
CLICK HERE FOR SHARK CLAW IN ACTION
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