HYANNIS – Researchers from the University of Massachusetts Amherst are seeking input from saltwater anglers to better understand their interactions with sharks.
The study, “Recreational Angling and Shark Encounters,” is being conducted by UMass PhD candidate Grace Casselberry, Dr. Andy Danylchuk and Dr. Ezra Markowitz.
The research study looks to understand recreational fishermen’s perceptions of sharks through their experiences on the water.
“This is really a great opportunity for recreational fishermen to connect with us and share their stories and tell us about their experiences,” Casselberry said.
“That doesn’t necessarily happen every day, but it is really important.”
A lot of Casselberry’s PhD research has focused on shark movements in the Florida Keys and St. Croix. Through her research in the Florida Keys she has worked with recreational tarpon fishermen who are reporting a lot of interactions with great hammerhead sharks.
“I’m trying to get at questions about movements of tarpon and the great hammerhead sharks and how they align and how we can maybe mitigate these interactions with the recreational fishery,” she said.
The current survey being conducted grew from her research in Florida as shark interactions with fishermen happen all over the world, including on Cape Cod.
Reports of white sharks taking fish off the lines of anglers in Cape Cod waters has been increasing over the last few years.
These interactions has caused Division of Marine Fisheries and Atlantic White Shark Conservancy researchers to move a portion of their research into Cape Cod Bay this summer. New studies began this year seek to get a better understanding of the predatory behavior of great white sharks.
Earlier this month, the crew of a charter fishing boat caught dramatic video footage of a white shark leaping at a fish that was being reeled in on Cape Cod Bay.
A post from Captain Marc Costa of Columbia Sportfishing on Instagram show the shark jumping out of the water just seconds before the fish was going to be pulled in overboard.
Incredible footage today from Doug Nelson of Franklin, MA fishing aboard the Columbia out of Rock Harbor in Orleans. @MA_Sharks pic.twitter.com/rK3yk5j6SG
— Atlantic White Shark Conservancy (@A_WhiteShark) July 20, 2019
“It really made the most sense to not constrain this survey to just one specific area,” Casselberry said. “We are hoping to hear from people throughout North America and it will be really great to hear from anglers in Massachusetts and off Cape Cod.”
Casselberry said the study will also allow her to conduct some local research being a UMass student.
“What we really want to do is hear from recreational fishermen about their experiences on the water, whether they have seen sharks or not,” Casselberry said. “And if they have, how they have felt about that experience.”
Casselberry said the goal is use the data to potentially work with different recreational fishing communities and different groups targeting specific species to mitigate how often these shark interactions are occurring.
The researchers want to make sure that shark populations and recreational fish populations are staying health so that recreational fishing can remain a fun activity for people.
They also will use the input gathered to learn if shark interactions are more prevalent in certain regions or fisheries.
The survey, which can be found here, is open to all saltwater recreational fishermen in North America who are 18 or older.
“There are no restrictions in terms of what species you target or how often you fish,’ Casselberry said. “We’d love to hear from everybody from the person who maybe just goes out once or twice a year with a group of friends to charter recreational fishing guides.”
The researchers are hoping to get between 2,000 and 3,000 respondents.
“If we get more than that that is amazing,” Casselberry said.
She expects to have the survey open for at least six months, but individuals are encouraged to participate soon.
The survey takes about ten minutes.
“It will be very valuable information for us going forward,” Casselberry said.
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