Grate White Sharks: south Carolina fishermen Aid in Crucial Research
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Off the coast of Hilton head Island, South Carolina, a unique partnership between fishermen adn scientists is shedding light on the mysterious migration patterns of great white sharks.Captain Chip Michalove and his crew from Outcast Sport Fishing are playing a pivotal role in this research, using their expertise to tag and track these grand creatures.
For the past decade, michalove and his team have spent the months of December through April targeting great white sharks. Their initial goal was to be the first to catch a great white in South Carolina waters. Though, their efforts have evolved into a crucial contribution to scientific understanding of these apex predators.
“We love to be a part of it because not only does it help in the science community, but it also makes me a better fisherman because I can see where they go, what they’re doing. It also gives you the ability to know whether they made it. Because I think there’s always that little thing in the back of your mind of, ‘I hope it lived.’ We’ve never had a fatality in 10 years,” Michalove explained.
These majestic creatures embark on a long journey south as the northern Atlantic waters cool.michalove notes that the majority of these sharks winter along the coast between Myrtle Beach and Daytona Beach. He describes their diet, stating, “They’re looking for possible dead dolphins, turtles, dead whales. They’ll hunt bottlenose dolphins as well. Our turtle population is blowing up, so they’ve taken advantage of that a few times as well. It truly seems like maybe 10% are going south and go around the Florida Keys and go to the Gulf of Mexico. but the majority of them, I think, hang out all winter between Myrtle Beach and Daytona.”
Michalove’s team employs a sophisticated tagging process. “Once you put the brakes on one, we get it to the side of the boat. We grab the dorsal fin. We put four holes in the top of the fin. We put a satellite tag on it and bolt it through it. And it doesn’t stay on permanently. They’re pretty small.They’re much smaller than they used to be. And then we also put a piece tag that monitors how deep it goes on a daily basis. And then just starting last year, we started putting cameras on the dorsal fin. So if we get one, the next one we catch, if we get one here in the next couple of days, it’ll have a camera put on its top fin,” he detailed.
The process of attracting these sharks involves a importent chumming effort, creating the illusion of a dead whale. Michalove describes the experiance of encountering a great white: “When you have a tiger shark or a bull or anything like that, it’s not nearly the size, typically. So, the great white’s a completely different shape, pointy nose, huge eyeballs—the hair sticks up on your neck and you get ready for craziness.”
Despite extensive research, much remains unknown about great white shark behavior. The data collected through Michalove’s tagging efforts is invaluable, providing crucial insights into their movements and habits. He emphasizes the broader significance of this work, stating, “Putting tags on sharks allows us to know more about our ocean and marine life, adding that there are so many benefits to learning what happens post-release. I think it’s always good we learn.”
This collaboration between experienced fishermen and marine scientists highlights the importance of citizen science in advancing our understanding of the ocean’s ecosystems and protecting its inhabitants. The data gathered from these tagged sharks will contribute to conservation efforts and a deeper recognition for these magnificent creatures.
Giant Great White Sharks Spotted Off South Carolina Coast
The South Carolina coast is making headlines, not for its beaches, but for its unexpected visitors: two colossal great white sharks. These massive predators, tracked by the non-profit research institution OCEARCH, have captivated scientists and the public alike, offering a rare glimpse into the lives of these elusive creatures.
One of these ocean giants, a 13-foot-long male named Bob, weighing over 1,300 pounds, was last pinged Sunday morning near Myrtle Beach. His journey appears to be heading towards Charleston. ”This isn’t like a rattlesnake where we got a million of them – we know where they’re going. We certainly know nothing about the great whites. I mean, these are just the first ones caught ever in the history of the state,” said local fisherman and researcher, Chris Michalove, highlighting the rarity of these encounters.
The second shark, a 12-foot male named Scot, tipping the scales at over 1,600 pounds, was last detected on December 5th near North Myrtle Beach before moving south. Michalove, a key collaborator in the research, emphasizes the growing importance of understanding these sharks’ behavior as their population increases. “So,as this population goes up,I think it’s best to know what we’re dealing with,how many. Originally, I thought we where just dealing with two or three in South Carolina. Now that I’ve been doing this for 10 years, we have thousands of them in South Carolina in the wintertime,” he explained.
Michalove describes the possibility to work with these magnificent creatures as a “dream come true.” He’s notably excited about the future of the research: “This year we’re really going to push putting cameras on these sharks. So, I think it’d be so cool to see one go after a dolphin or a turtle. So, I think putting cameras on the dorsal fins and having a feed of what’s going on, I think, is going to be the new thing. that’s probably the latest technology,” he shared, expressing his enthusiasm for the advancements in tracking technology.
The data collected by OCEARCH provides invaluable insights into the migration patterns and behaviors of these apex predators. This research not only enhances our understanding of great white sharks but also contributes to broader marine conservation efforts. The ongoing collaboration between scientists and local fishermen like Michalove promises to yield further exciting discoveries in the years to come.
While the sightings have generated excitement, michalove assures that the research prioritizes the well-being of the sharks. “So, we learn a little bit and they get a free meal. So,it’s a good trade-off,” he stated,emphasizing the non-invasive nature of the research.
The finding of these massive great white sharks underscores the importance of continued research and conservation efforts to protect these magnificent creatures and the delicate balance of our ocean ecosystems.
Great White Sharks: South Carolina fishermen Aid in Vital Research
Off the coast of hilton Head Island, South Carolina, an exceptional partnership between seasoned fishermen and dedicated scientists is shedding light on the remarkable migratory patterns of great white sharks. Captain Chip Michalove and his team from Outcast Sport Fishing are playing a crucial role in this research, leveraging their expertise to tag and track these awe-inspiring creatures.
A Decade of Finding
For the past decade, Michalove and his crew have dedicated the months of December through April to targeting great white sharks. Their initial goal was to be the frist to hook a great white in South Carolina waters, but their efforts have evolved into a vital contribution to scientific understanding of these apex predators.
“We love to be a part of it becuase not only does it help in the science community,but it also makes me a better fisherman because I can see where they go,what they’re doing. It also gives you the ability to know whether they made it. Because I think there’s always that little thing in the back of your mind of, ‘I hope it lived.’ We’ve never had a fatality in 10 years,” michalove explained.
Unraveling Migratory Patterns
These majestic creatures embark on a long journey southward as the northern Atlantic waters cool. Michalove notes that the majority of these sharks winter along the coast between Myrtle Beach and Daytona Beach. He describes their diet, stating, “They’re looking for possible dead dolphins, turtles, dead whales. They’ll hunt bottlenose dolphins as well. Our turtle population is blowing up, so they’ve taken advantage of that a few times as well. It truly seems like maybe 10% are going south and go around the florida Keys and go to the Gulf of Mexico. But the majority of them, I think, hang out all winter between Myrtle Beach and Daytona.”
Sophisticated Tagging process
Michalove’s team employs a meticulous tagging process. “Once you put the brakes on one, we get it to the side of the boat. we grab the dorsal fin. We put four holes in the top of the fin. We put a satellite tag on it and bolt it through it. And it doesn’t stay on permanently. they’re pretty small. They’re much smaller than they used to be. and then we also put a piece tag that monitors how deep it goes on a daily basis. And then just starting last year, we started putting cameras on the dorsal fin. So if we get one, the next one we catch, if we get one here in the next couple of days, it’ll have a camera put on its top fin,” he detailed.
Encountering a Giant
The process of attracting these sharks involves a strategic chumming effort, creating the illusion of a dead whale. Michalove describes the experience: “When you have a tiger shark or a bull or anything like that, it’s not nearly the size, typically. So, the great white’s a completely different shape, pointy nose, huge eyeballs—the hair sticks up on your neck and you get ready for craziness.”
Crucial Insights
Despite extensive research, much remains unknown about great white shark behavior. The data gleaned through Michalove’s tagging efforts provides crucial insights into their movements and habits. He emphasizes the broader significance of this work, stating, “Putting tags on sharks allows us to know more about our ocean and marine life. There are so many benefits to learning what happens post-release. I think it’s always good we learn.”
Citizen Science for Conservation
This collaboration between experienced fishermen and marine scientists highlights the importance of citizen science in advancing our understanding of the ocean’s ecosystems and protecting its inhabitants. The data gathered from these tagged sharks will contribute to conservation efforts and a deeper recognition for these majestic creatures.
World-Today-News Senior Editor Interview
World-Today-News: Captain Michalove, thanks for taking the time to speak with us today.
Chip Michalove: My pleasure. It’s always great to talk about these incredible animals.
World Today-News: You’ve been tagging great white sharks off the coast of South Carolina for ten years now. What initially inspired you to get involved in this project?
Chip Michalove: Well, we were the first to catch a great white shark in South Carolina waters about a decade ago. After that, we realized what a rare prospect we had to learn about these creatures and their behavior. We knew we had to do more.
World-Today-News: You’ve witnessed firsthand the awe-inspiring power and grace of these sharks. What are some of the most memorable encounters you’ve had?
Chip Michalove: Every time we encounter a great white is memorable. It’s a humbling experience. They’re massive creatures, and you realy feel their strength and power. One encounter that sticks out is when we came face-to-face with a female that was estimated to be over 15 feet long. It was incredible.
World-Today-News: Your tagging efforts provide valuable data to researchers. What are some of the key insights you’ve gained about great white shark migration patterns through this research?
chip michalove: We’ve learned that these sharks travel vast distances, migrating southward along the coast as the water cools. We’ve also discovered that they have distinct feeding habits, often targeting seals, dolphins, and other marine mammals.
World-Today-News: How important is this research for conservation efforts?
Chip Michalove: Absolutely essential. By understanding their movements and behavior, we can better protect these animals and their habitats.
World-Today-News: What advice would you give to people who are interested in learning more about great white sharks?
Chip Michalove: Educate yourselves! There are many reputable sources of details available online and in libraries. Support organizations that are dedicated to their conservation.
World-Today-News: Captain Michalove, thank you so much for sharing your expertise and passion with us today.