Jena Edwards
–
In cooperation with
RTV North
—-
NOS News•yesterday, 21:22
—
In the past week, four newborn tope sharks were fished by researchers around Terschelling and Ameland. The Waddenvereniging is enthusiastic about the find, because it shows that the Wadden Sea serves as the birthplace for the tope shark.
–
The tope shark is a shark species that can grow to almost two meters in length and travel great distances. They are not dangerous to humans and mainly eat fish.
–
The tope shark is doing badly worldwide and that is why the Waddenvereniging thinks it is hopeful news that they seem to reproduce around the Wadden Islands.
–
Young pups
Shrimp fishermen fishing in the Wadden area have recently found females and young tope sharks in their nets, reports RTV North. For the researchers of the Swimway Wadden Sea project, in which various fish species in the Wadden Sea are studied, these reports were reason for further investigation. This has now shown that there are more young sharks swimming around in the area.
–
Initially, the researchers wanted to capture large females themselves and provide them with a transmitter so that they could be tracked. But it failed to find the female sharks.
–
“Four newborn shark pups of 28 to 37 centimeters were found, but they are not big enough to provide a transmitter,” according to the association.
–
More research later
The researchers want to sail to the Wadden area again at a later time to catch adult specimens and to provide them with a transmitter. Within Swimway Waddenzee, the Waddenvereniging, the Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research (NIOZ) and Wageningen Marine Research work together.
—
