Azores Shark Research Expedition 2013

Introduction

This expedition was undertaken between July 1 – 13 to carry out the work we should have done last September when our previous expedition was all but wiped out by Hurricane Nadine.

Expedition Report July 7 - 13

Personnel and Acknowledgements

Organisers - Shark Conservation Society.

Expedition leader - Richard Peirce.

Catering, shorebase, first aid - Jacqui Peirce.

Videographers - Richard Peirce, Karen Savage

Scientific advisor - Data being gathered for Heather McMillan, Aberdeen University.

Volunteer researchers - Emma Dobinson, Lesley Guinn, Dr. Ken Neal, Karen Savage and Andy Sweeney

The Society would like to thank

• Gary Fell
• Twin Peaks Diving
• Dive the Azores
• The staff at Twin Peaks Diving
• Skipper Eugenio

Objectives

The objectives of the expedition were threefold:

• To catch, (take DNA samples for Heather McMillan at Aberdeen University) and release 50 blue sharks.
• Return tag each of the above.
• Free diving with blues and makos so that the volunteers could have some fun, film and photograph these amazing sharks.

Preparation and Planning

Gary Fell of Twin Peaks Diving offered to help the Society by providing all the local requirements of shorebase, workboat, chumming materials, and vehicles, etc.

The Society was able to plan work sites based on well known locations where local eco-tourist operators find blue sharks.

Clearly an RIB was not the correct craft for shark catch and release operations and for this reason it was decided to inboard sharks and if possible only catch specimens between 0.8m and 1.2m.

Sites/Work Plan

The Azores Bank (1 and 1/2 hours steam) was the first site selected and large numbers of blue sharks responded to chumming.  For ease of operation another site three miles off Pico's north eastern tip was tried but no sharks were seen so we reverted to the Azores Bank.

It was planned that the first and last days would be spent snorkelling/free diving with the sharks, while the middle five days would be work days.

Boats

The 8 metre dive boat (RIB) was ideal for diving/free diving/and snorkelling operations but was not a suitable vessel for catching and releasing sharks.  However with most of the seats removed enough working space was created, and the intention was to only catch small sharks which would be quick and easy to inboard, process and release.

Daily Report

Sunday July 7

Prior to starting the catch, sampling and release work we decided to have a “play day” and went to the Azores Bank which is about half way between Pico and the well known Princess Alice dive site.  The steam from Pico is usually about 1 and 1/2 hours.  We left Pico at 1020 and were on site and chumming by 1210.  The first blue sharks arrived at 1300 and we all had a wonderful time snorkelling and free-diving with probably as many as 10 blue sharks.

Location - N 38’12.192 W 28’55.644

Time chummed - 3 hours 45 minutes

Species sighted - Blue sharks, Common dolphins, Loggerhead turtle, Atlantic spotted dolphin

Conditions - Sunny, little wind, flat seas

Results - None

Monday July 8

Gary at Twin Peaks Diving had reports that blue sharks were being caught only 2/3 miles off Pico’s north eastern tip.  If we could find sharks there we could leave the boat in a local harbour and only have a very short steam to work each day, rather than the 1 and 1/2 hours to the Azores Bank.  It was certainly worth investigating.

We chummed for 4 hours from 1215 – 1615 and failed to attract any sharks.  Having ceased chumming operations we started our steam back and spotted the spout of a whale.  We got close up to one animal and most of those on board had their first sighting of a sperm whale.  We stopped about 40 metres from one animal and had another about 300 metres away.

We had nearly arrived back into Sao Roque (on Pico) when we came across a hammerhead cruising on the surface.  It was impossible to accurately determine the species but it would almost certainly have been either a smooth or scalloped hammerhead.

Location - N 38’23.452    W 27’56.353

Time chummed - 4 hours

Species sighted - None due to chumming. On our return, sperm whales and a hammerhead

Conditions - Cloudless day

Results - None

Tuesday July 9 

We decided the Azores Bank would be our work location for the week and returned there.  We started chumming at 1200 and stopped at 1500.  Due to our unsuitable craft we had to try to only catch small sharks (+/- 1 metre) which was difficult because they were all larger than this, and some were much larger.

We caught, DNA sampled, measured, tagged and released two specimens – male 1.4m and a male 1.7m

Location - N 38’12.451   W 28’55.391

Time chummed - 3 hours

Species sighted - 5/6 Blue sharks

Conditions - Wind 4/5 mph, sea flat, partly cloudy

Results - 2 Blue sharks, DNA sampled, and released.

Thursday July 11

Back to the Azores bank.  1 blue (Male 1.2m) shark caught, sampled and released.  Probably 8/10 sharks round the boat but all too large.  1 probable small mako.

Location - N38’12.400   W28’55.368

Time chummed - 4 and 1/2 hours

Species sighted - Blues, probable Mako, Leatherback and Loggerhead turtles

Conditions - Wind 5/6 mph, largely blue skies

Results - 1 Blue shark DNA sampled

Friday July 12

1 Blue shark caught, measured, tagged and released (Male 1.7m).  Shark bite incident when handling shark.  We probably had 8/10 individuals round the boat with females reaching nearly 4m and males 3m.

That only 4 sharks were able to be caught, DNA sampled, tagged, and released was entirely due to our only being able to catch small sharks because of the limitations of the craft we were using – AND there were very few small sharks!! Large nearly 4 metre females and 3 metre males were plentiful, and SCS believes the Azores will soon establish itself as a major shark eco-tourism destination.

It is hoped that eco-tourism will develop responsibly, using best practical principles, and providing an education opportunity for people to better understand these amazing creatures.