In the News
UofH marine researchers conduct longest shark “catch and release” program in the Mediterranean Sea
Since 2016, researchers from the Leon Charney School of Marine Sciences led by Dr. Aviad Scheinin (Apax Marine Predator Lab at the Morris Kahn Marine Research Station) have caught, sampled, and successfully released over 80 sharks (the dusky and sandbar species), around Hadera’s electric power plant. When a shark is caught, the team collects biological, morphometric, and passive acoustic data to estimate its health and distribution patterns. This is the only lab in the Mediterranean Sea with a dedicated long-term catch and release program. In the upcoming year, the lab will set up a training school for scientists studying apex predator populations from other research institutes in the Mediterranean.