Tuesday, February 17, 2009

Shark Research in Action CICIMAR

Since 2004 shark researcher Mauricio Hoyos has been doing battle with wind, rain, unstable fishermen, and a critter infested "love shack" on the north end of Isla Guadalupe, Mexico.

He also makes do with a tiny seasonal budget, Mexican politics, and rampant equipment failures.

Why, you may well ask, would anyone put themselves though this kind of privation all in the name of shark research?

Because it is important. It's important that a Mexican lead program spearheads efforts at what has become the most robust and accessible white shark site on the planet. It's important that several of the local shark operators support this effort, and they have, to the tune of thousands of dollars in materials and conservation websites like the Isla Guadalupe Fund.

It is important because the second phase of any successful commercial shark site is, stewardship. Without ongoing research and data these sharks remain at the whim of politicos and shark fishing agendas. Proof of migration, proof of feeding patterns, proof of behavior patterns all feed into the larger plan for site stewardship.

Maurico Hoyos is doing his part to ensure these magnificent animals, at this rare and pristine shark site, remain for generations to come.

As rare as this site is to white sharks, Mauricio and his ongoing efforts are to the world of shark research. Kudos.

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