Marine CSI

Guadalupe Island White Shark Field Guide

The Guadalupe Island White Shark photo-ID books are now available! Team up with MCSI to support white shark research and conservation efforts: Donate to MCSI in support of Northeastern Pacific white shark research and conservation efforts and receive the most recent edition of the Guadalupe Island, Mexico white shark photo-ID book. The 2019 edition is spiral bound with color photos of the 312 identified white sharks currently in the Guadalupe Island photo-ID database. A great field guide for identifying sharks while out at Guadalupe Island as well as a great photo book for admiring the amazing white sharks of Guadalupe Island! Available here.
 

Expedition White Shark app

MCSI has now updated the Expedition White Shark app and it is available for both Android and Apple! This app shows tracks for all of our tagged sharks and provides real time tracking data for white sharks tagged at both Guadalupe Island and central California, as well as large shortfin mako sharks tagged in southern California.

 

Joshua’s amazing journey

Joshua, a 15 foot male Guadalupe Island white shark was SPOT tagged in December of 2016. Since then he has made a surprising trek offshore and then up along the coast of northern California and then traveling back down south! You can follow his amazing journey with the app Expedition White Shark! The app is currently available for Apple products.

Gill Rakers’ amazing journey

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Guadalupe Island female white shark Gill Rakers was SPOT tagged in December of 2012. Since then she has made an amazing journey up along the coasts of California and Oregon, back offshore and then into the Sea of Cortez during the known pupping season where it is presumed she went to give birth!

 

New publication reveals the 2-year migration for adult female white sharks in the northeastern Pacific

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MCSI has published a new scientific paper that reveals the multi-year migratory patterns of four tagged female white sharks Amy, Kimel, Annika and Tailscratch. These sharks spent about 15 months in the middle of the Pacific ocean before traveling to the coast of Baja Mexico during the known pupping season. Amy and Kimel traveled into the Sea of Cortez while Annika and Tailscratch went to the Pacific coast of Baja. For more information see “Two-year migration of adult female white sharks (Carcharodon carcharias) reveals widely separated nursery areas and conservation concerns”

MCSI develops new methods for tagging adult white sharks

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Scientists at MCSI have been working to improve methods for SPOT tagging adult great white sharks. New methods developed, tested and implemented by MCSI involve a device to prevent gut hooking, soft fishing gear to prevent skin abrasions and constant forward movement to fully irrigate the gills. Sharks tagged in this manner, including the largest white shark to ever be SPOT tagged, were far more vigorous upon release than our previous method that lifted the sharks from the water. We strive to constantly improve our methods to do what is best for the sharks and the scientific community.

The Marine Conservation Science Institute (MCSI) is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization. MCSI is founded on the belief that focused research can make a difference in how we view and manage our marine resources. We are committed to working towards the goal of sustainable fisheries and a healthy marine environment for future generations to enjoy.