17.10.2010
GEERG TAGS A GREENLAND SHARK IN THE ST. LAWRENCE ESTUARY
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A GEERG team successfully searched for and tagged a Greenland shark in the St. Lawrence Estuary on October 14. The team composed of Jeffrey Gallant, Jean-Yves Forest, and Blaise Barrette (Underwater Observers Network), took advantage of a brief interlude between storm systems to dive in the area of Baie-Comeau, Québec. A shark was located at dusk on the second dive of the day during this final attempt to tag a Greenland shark in 2010. A VEMCO V16 transmitter was quickly deployed by Jean-Yves Forest. The operation lasted less than a minute from the time the shark was first spotted to when it bolted into the dark, icy depths with the tag in tow.

The acoustic transmitter is programmed to send electronic data over an 8-year period, thus enabling GEERG researchers to potentially relocate and track this particular specimen till 2018. A VEMCO VR2W acoustic receiver located in the same area should also allow the scientists to track the shark's movements under ice throughout the entire winter, a world first for this species. Preliminary results will be posted in 2011.



Tagging a Greenland shark in the St-Lawrence Estuary
Produced by: Jeffrey Gallant (GEERG)