OCEARCH. Lowcountry Expedition Education Packet. Educate. Inspire. Enable. 1

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1 OCEARCH Lowcountry Expedition Education Packet Educate. Inspire. Enable. 1

2 OCEARCH Lowcountry Expedition Education Packet You can follow along as OCEARCH goes on Lowcountry Expedition. Replace fear with facts as you learn more about Great White Sharks, explore the Pelagic Sargassum Habitat, and track the pings of your favorite sharks. You will also see how tagging technology works and how to use the OCEARCH Global Shark Tracker to gather near real-time data to complete the S.T.E.M. activities! There are several ways that you can be a part of the OCEARCH Education global community during the Low country Expedition and beyond. You can: Download the free OCEARCH S.T.E.M. Learning Curriculum for grades K-8 Host a Change 4 FINS fundraising event at your school. Follow and engage with us on our social media platforms. (Twitter, Facebook, Instagram) Sign up to receive the OCEARCH Education Newsletter at education@ocearch.org for updates and upcoming events. Register for an OCEARCH Education Google Hangout lesson or Teacher Workshop with one of our OCEARCH Education Ambassadors. Schedule a Skype Session with an OCEARCH team member and get your questions answered. Kick Plastic by reducing the use of single use plastic bottles and bags in your classroom and home. Together we can educate, inspire, and enable the next generation of scientists, explorers, and stewards of the ocean. Educate. Inspire. Enable. 2

3 OCEARCH Lowcountry Expedition North Atlantic White Shark Research Goals During Lowcountry Expedition, researchers will collaborate on board the OCEARCH vessel, to do multiple white shark research projects. They will use a variety of methods to obtain samples and tag sharks with multiple tags (3) to gather data in order to gain understanding about white sharks in the North Atlantic. Research projects include; white shark movements in the North Atlantic, to look at their fine and broad scale movements, their habitat use, residency, and feeding behavior, aspects of white shark reproduction, impacts of white sharks on the marine food web of the western North Atlantic, DNA sequence variation of white sharks within and among ocean basins, nutritional markers, bite force in sharks, and contaminates of emerging concern from U.S. Atlantic waters. Some of these researchers will take biological samples from white sharks, like blood, muscle plugs, reproductive fluids, fin clips, or parasites off of the shark. Some researchers will then use the results from the tests performed on the samples can then used along with the pings from white shark movements on the OCEARCH Global Shark Tracker to complete their data sets. Others will use only the biological samples for their research. Research using biological samples : Nutrition, Ectoparasites, and White Shark Reproduction. Example of white shark research that use both: DNA analysis, Physiological effects of capture stress, sensory physiology, and trophic ecology of white sharks in the western North Atlantic. Other research projects will solely rely on tracking data from active (like SPOT and PSAT tags) and/or passive (acoustic tags) tracking data. Example : Movements of White Sharks in the North Atlantic Little is known about white shark biology, ecology, reproduction, and behavior. The ability to conduct research experiments on the hydraulic lift, with live white sharks, gives scientists unprecedented access to these apex predators, in order to continue their vital work that could lead to conservation efforts to manage this IUCN listed vulnerable species toward abundance. Educate. Inspire. Enable. 3

4 Expedition Mission: Lowcountry Shark Research Name Watch the OCEARCH Science Team talk at the PRSF Maritime Center about the research they are conducting during the Lowcountry Expedition, live on Periscope or Facebook. Participate in the chat by submitting your questions in the comments section and follow along as we hear about the shark research conducted and samples collected on this expedition. 1. How does studying about shark Community have potential benefits for humans? 2. Can we tell if white sharks tagged are related by analyzing their DNA? 3. What does Dr. Brian Frazier study? 4. What kinds of data can be gathered from the blood taken by OCEARCH scientists? 5. How do researchers assess the reproductive health, cycle, and gestation of sharks? 6. Why do sharks have low rates of infection? How does a shark s immune system compare to humans? 7. How do white sharks impact the marine food web of the Atlantic Ocean? 8. What do the fine and broad scale movements of white sharks in the Atlantic tell researchers an us about this species when blood work from a pregnant female is paired with an ultrasound? 9. What does Dr. Christine Bedore study? 10. When a shark has a large eye, how does that correlate with how well they see? Educate. Inspire. Enable. 4

5 Shark Species of the Lowcountry The Lowcountry has marine ecosystems that are used by apex predators like Great White sharks, Tiger sharks, Bull sharks, and Sandbar sharks. These species of sharks are keeping the Atlantic Ocean in balance. More data is needed about these species of sharks and how they use the waters in North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia. By tracking and gathering data on Great White Sharks like Hilton and Savannah, scientists and researchers gain insight on the migratory patterns, life cycle, reproduction, and overall health of this vulnerable species. This research is used to conserve them, so they can have a healthy and abundant future, and help keep the marine food chain in balance. Educate. Inspire. Enable. 5

6 Great White Shark Hilton Cacharadon Carcharias Sex: Male Life Stage: Mature Size: 12 feet 5 inches Habitat: Great White Sharks can be found in the ocean, all over the world, preferring water with temperatures between degrees. Prey Mature White Shark diet: Mature White Sharks eat marine mammals, such as seals, dolphins, and whales, they have ben seen feeding on dead whale carcasses. They will also feed on large fish, such as red drum, tuna, striped bass, and dogfish. Life Cycle Reproduction: Researchers think that male white sharks in the Atlantic Ocean may have a oneyear migration cycle, where they return to the meeting site every year. The tagging data collected from mature male white sharks like Hilton and George, are critical for establishing mating sites for these apex predators. Fun Fact: Hilton was named after Hilton Head, South Carolina and was tagged on white shark Lydia s tagging anniversary! Follow him on Educate. Inspire. Enable. 6

7 Great White Shark Savannah Cacharadon Carcharias Sex: Female Life Stage: Immature Size: 8 feet 6 inches Habitat: Great White Sharks can be found in the ocean, all over the world, preferring water with temperatures between degrees. Prey Immature White Shark diet: At this life stage, white sharks mostly eat fish and rays. Their teeth are more pointed and narrow than mature white sharks. Life Cycle Reproduction: Great White Sharks reach maturity at 20 years old. They are viviparous: They have a gestation period ranging from 18 to 24 months. White sharks have a live birth to 2-12 pups that are 5-7 ft. long. White Shark Savannah, will help researchers to understand the track for the immature female white shark track of the North Atlantic. Fun Fact: Great White Sharks can swim in bursts of 25 mph and travel long distances during their migrations. Lydia traveled 35,000 miles in the first year after she was tagged! Follow her on Educate. Inspire. Enable. 7

8 Tiger Shark Weimar Galeocerdo cuvier Sex: Male Life Stage: Mature Length: 9 feet 4 inches (2.8 meters) Prey: Mature Tiger Sharks are known to eat just about anything they come across in the ocean. Their teeth strong and are able to open up sea turtle shells, and have been known to eat sea turtles, fish, and birds. Life Cycle and Reproduction : Matura tiger sharks are oviviparous. This means that female tiger sharks have egg casings inside their rooms that then hatch and give birth to live young pups. The tiger shark is the only one and it s family that reproduces in this way. Fun Fact: Tiger Shark Weimar was named after Ruth way Mara who so generously hosted OCEARCH in Savannah, during Lowcountry Expedition. Follow him on Educate. Inspire. Enable. 8

9 Tiger Shark Beaufort Galeocerdo cuvier Sex: Male Life Stage : Immature Weight: 107 pounds Prey: Immature Tiger sharks eat prey like small bony fish, crustaceans, rays, and just about anything else it can find. Life Cycle and Reproduction Tiger shark males reach maturity at about 2.3 meters. When it is Young it is known for its beautiful striped markings giving it its name. As they mature, tiger sharks begin to lose their markings. Fun Fact: Tiger sharks will even eat things that are not considered food like license plates and tires! Follow him on Educate. Inspire. Enable. 9

10 Lowcountry Marine Ecosystems Pelagic Sargassum Habitat Restricted Area Beneath the Weedline: Exploring Sargassum Habitat Center for Sport fish Science and Conservation Pelagic Sargassum Habitat Restricted Area The Pelagic Sargassum Habitat Restricted Area is a designated area in the Atlantic Ocean ranging from North Carolina to Florida. It is named for the kind of brown seaweed that is found floating through the Gulf Stream called sargassum. As a seaweed travels through the Gulf Stream it provides a floating ecosystem as part of the Atlantic marine food chain. The sargassum itself is food for many juvenile fishes, as well as protection from, larger fishes, who are preyed on by apex predators, like great white sharks in the ocean. Pelagic Sargassum Marine Food Web According to NOAA, the Pelagic Sargassum Habitat Restricted Area is home 81 different fish species. North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia have fishes like, Sargassum Fish, Planehead fish, Dolphin fishes, and Triggerfish. Other fish species that use the sargassum habitat include Amberjacks and Tuna; even sea turtles have been seen using the sargassum. Great White Shark Mary Lee has pinged in several times in this area. This is a sign of a healthy, thriving, ecosystem. Use the OCEARCH Global Shark Tracker to see which other sharks have visited the Pelagic Sargassum Habitat Restricted Area. Juvenile Loggerhead Sea Turtles also take refuge in the sargassum and use it as a food source. Other marine life that use the Sargassum Habitat Restricted include; dolphins, juvenile Jacks and Pufferfish, and filefish. Educate. Inspire. Enable. 10

11 Pelagic Sargassum Habitat Restricted Area Food Web Activity Name What is the marine food web for the Pelagic Sargassum Habitat Restricted Area? Write the name of the marine species on the Word Box Great White Shark Juvenile Jacks Sargassum Fish Sea turtles Yellowfin Tuna Dolphin Fish Sargassum Planehead Fish Apex Predators Second Tier Third Tier Plants Photograph by: South Atlantic Fishery Management Council Educate. Inspire. Enable. 11

12 Lowcountry Expedition Map Name Practice geography skills as you add the pings from sharks tagged during the Lowcountry Expedition and your favorite sharks opinion on the OCEARCH Global Shark Tracker. Beaufort Hilton Weimar Savannah Educate. Inspire. Enable. 12

13 Tracking Technology When you see a shark ping in on the OCEARCH Global Shark Tracker, the pings is the result of the shark s SPOT tag sending a signal to a satellite, telling where a shark is located. That information is used to track the migration patterns of the shark and see where it is and when it s been there. We can learn all kinds of different things about sharks from the tags that are on them. Each tag gives a different set of data or is put on a shark for different reasons. Let s look at the tags that OCEARCH scientists and researchers use to learn more about Great White Sharks! PSAT tag: The Pop-off Satellite Archival Tag can record data and take measurements of water temperature, salinity, depths, and location. This tag stays on the shark for a certain amount of time and then the battery dissolves the tag attachment, and the tag releases and pops-up on the waters surface and transmits it s location to a satellite for retrieval. This tag is usually placed at the bottom of the dorsal fin. S.P.O.T tag: Smart Position Or Temperature transmitting tags are used to track apex predator sharks in real time. They are the most advanced tag and records database on salinity, temperature, depth and location. When the SPOT tag is out of the water for 90 seconds, it sends a signal to a satellite and transmits the data. This tag is placed toward the top of the dorsal fin. The ping is then uploaded onto the OCEARCH Global Shark Tracker. Internal Acoustic tag: Internal Acoustic Tags are surgically placed in the space near the stomach of the shark and closed up with a couple of stitches. It is a very small cut and the shark heals very quickly. The tag will send sounds that are picked up by a receiver and the tag number is recorded. Educate. Inspire. Enable. 13

14 Tagging and Tracking Great White Sharks Name Use the information about the tags above, to label places on the shark where researchers put the tags, when they re on expedition with OCEARCH. Then and then cut out the tags and paste them in the squares or on the shark. P.S.A.T. tag S.P.O.T tag Internal Acoustic tag Educate. Inspire. Enable. 14

15 Tagging and Tracking Trivia Name Use the information about tags from page 4 to answer the tagging and tracking trivia questions below. 1. Which kind of tag needs to be out of the water for 90 seconds to send a signal to a satellite for real-time tracking data? A. P.S.A.T. tag B. S.P.O.T tag C. Internal Acoustic tag 2. Which kind of tag in placed in cavity near the stomach of the shark? A. P.S.A.T. tag B. S.P.O.T. Tag C. Internal Acoustic tag 3. Label the tags. Educate. Inspire. Enable. 15

16 OCEARCH Ship Tour Name Take a tour of the MV OCEARCH to answer the questions below. Match the name of the place on the ship to its description. 1. It is the place where the crew eats their meals. A. Bow 2. Where Captain Brett McBride drives the ship. B. Galley 3. The area where gear an tackle is kept. C. Bridge 4. The name of the place where the crew sleeps. D. Stern 5. The large outside area of the ship where the safe boat is kept. E. Deck 6. The name of the area with 8 bunks. It used to be a crab pot. F. Starboard 7. The place where a breeze can be felt as you head to the back of the ship. G. Port 8. This is the term for the front part of the ship. H. Breeze Way 9. This is the term for the back of the ship. I. Tackle Room 10. This is the term for the left side of the ship. J. The Ocho 11. This is the term for the right side of the ship. K. Bunk Room Educate. Inspire. Enable. 16

17 Engineer like a Fishing Master! Grades 6 and up N.G.S.S. : Engineering Design: MS ETS1-1-4 and HS-ETS1-1-4 Introduction Captain Brett McBride is an expert waterman, fisherman, boat captain, and fishing engineer. Each expedition presents its own set of challenges and obstacles on and off the water. Little is known about white sharks in the North Atlantic Ocean. Therefore, scientists need safe access to these apex predators in order to gather telemetry data and biological samples. To do this, they look to Captain McBride and the fishing team, to safely find, capture, and release these sharks. Finding, tagging, and releasing white sharks that can reach 16 feet and weigh 3,500 pound sharks isn t easy. It requires intuition, experience, and mental toughness. It can be hard on gear, and be physically straining on the crew. This collaboration though, is providing unprecedented access and data that is used to help manage these and other species of sharks toward abundance for a healthy ocean. Captain McBride has to use ingenuity, leadership, and critical thinking skills to serve the ocean, help scientists, and care for each shark that comes on the lift. You can use these skills to solve problems, create new inventions, and show leadership too! Activity Watch the OCEARCH Lowcountry Fishing Brief and OCEARCH at PRSF Maritime Center to see how Captain McBride uses these skills. There are 2 scenarios as part of this activity; one is a problem to solve, and one is in need of an invention. Go through the steps on the pages below, and conquer your own set of obstacles! These scenarios can be solved as individuals or in a group. You can also share and discuss your ideas, applications, and conclusions at the end of class! The Steps To work through these scenarios, here are some steps you can follow to help guide you. 1. Identify the need or the problem. 2. Research and brainstorm ideas 3. Create or Design 4. Budget materials 5. Construction 6. Implement Your Plan 7. Need to Redesign? 8. Conclusions Educate. Inspire. Enable. 17

18 Engineering like a Fishing Master! Grades 6 and up N.G.S.S. : Engineering Design: MS ETS1-1-4 and HS-ETS1-1-4 Scenario 1: We re going to need a better rope. Researchers are looking to gather data on a large, mature, female white shark. The data gathered about her may give researchers the answers they need about female white shark reproduction. They are hoping to be able to get the first pregnant white shark ultrasound and hormone levels. You are assigned to the OCEARCH fishing team and to find, tag, and release the safely. While fishing, you see a 16 foot, 3500 pound female white shark, like Mary Lee, investigating the tuna head you have on the end of a large circle hook and that hook is attached to a 4 ply poly rope. The shark swallows the tuna and the hook is placed on the side in the corner of her mouth. However, when the shark bites down on the tuna and hook, it also bites through the rope. The shark swims away and spits out the circle hook, getting a free meal. The rope wasn t strong enough to withstand the force of her bite, nor the her sharp, serrated teeth. We re going to need a better rope. We can t use cable alone, because it could cut into the shark or the hands of the crew member holding the cable. The material of the rope is great because it is able to float and doesn t corrode. What would you do? What could design and create to solve the problem? Educate. Inspire. Enable. 18

19 Engineering like a Fishing Master! Grades 6 and up N.G.S.S. : Engineering Design: MS ETS1-1-4 and HS-ETS1-1-4 Scenario 2: Design A Decoy Scientists and researchers need more telemetry data and biological samples from immature male white sharks in the North Atlantic Ocean. Little is known about the diet of young, immature white sharks though, and you are asked to lead the OCEARCH fishing team in an area that you haven t been before. The tracking data, and time of year, indicates that these immature white sharks use this area frequently. You decide to bring the white sharks closer to the boat, by making a decoy. A decoy will get the shark s attention, causing it to investigate it with its mouth. When it opens its mouth, you can then bait the shark with the fish and place the circle hook in the corner of its mouth. The bait and switch technique. Baiting the shark in this way keeps stress at a minimum. Since you are unsure what the shark s interest would be in a decoy, what shape decoy would you use? Why? What material or materials would you make it out of? How will you get it to float? Would you add any modifications to a traditional decoy? Plan and design a decoy for an immature white shark to help the science team collect the samples and gather the data thy need to help manage white sharks toward abundance. Educate. Inspire. Enable. 19

20 Engineering A Plan! Grades 6 and up N.G.S.S. : Engineering Design: MS ETS1-1-4 and HS-ETS1-1-4 Name Use the steps below to complete the task and solve the problem or identify the need in the above scenarios. Step 1: Identify the need or the problem. Step 2: Research and brainstorm ideas Step 3: Create or Design Educate. Inspire. Enable. 20

21 Engineering A Plan! Grades 6 and up N.G.S.S. : Engineering Design: MS ETS1-1-4 and HS-ETS1-1-4 Use the steps below to complete the task and solve the problem or identify the need in the above scenarios. Step 4: Materials needed Step 5: Construction Step 6: Implement your plan. Hypothesize what would happen best and worse case scenario. Step 7: Need to Redesign? Why or Why not? Step 8: Reflection and Conclusions Educate. Inspire. Enable. 21

22 Am I in Balance with the Ocean? Essay and Reflection Name No matter what path we choose in life, we have opportunities to serve, and leave this world a better place than how we found it. Everyone at OCEARCH believes they are meant to serve, help, and protect, sharks and the ocean. Chris Fischer encouraged everyone on Lowcountry Expedition to stop from time to time and think, Am I in balance with the ocean? Am I taking more from it, than I give back? Reflect on this and write an essay about where you are in the balance. Do you take more from the ocean than you give? Do you leave trash behind when you go to the beach? Use a lot of single use plastic bags and bottles? Recycle? Do you go on beach or park clean ups? What areas could you improve on? Educate. Inspire. Enable. 22

23 Tagging Sharks with OCEARCH on Lowcountry Expedition Name Date Watch the tagging videos or Periscopes of sharks tagged during Lowcountry Expedition by OCEARCH to answer the questions below. You may want to see the video two times. The first time watch and listen to the entire video to hear about the exciting science and data being collected on Great White Sharks during their expedition. The second time watching, try to listen for the answers as you fill in the blanks. 1. Where is OCEARCH on expedition? 2. What size range are the great white sharks that OCEARCH has been seeing? 3. What other species of shark did they tag during Expedition Lowcountry? 4. How many female white sharks has OCEARCH tagged in the North Atlantic previous to this expedition? How many sharks have they tagged now? 5. Who is the chief scientist on this expedition? 6. Name one of the research institutions or aquariums mentioned on expedition. 7. What are the life stages and sexes of the sharks on this expedition? 8. Name one of the tests that scientists perform when a shark is on the lift. 9. What are they hoping to learn from the sharks tagged during the Lowcountry Expedition? 10. What s the most interesting thing you learned from the OCEARCH video? Educate. Inspire. Enable. 23