In February researchers from WA University, led by Jonathan Mitchell, were on the Island to carry out the first detailed study of the Galapagos whaler shark here. This is the most common shark in Lord Howe Island waters, and this is the only Australian location for this species, which is also found on other oceanic islands across the Pacific.
Thirty sharks were caught and a small transponder device inserted into the body cavity. These transponders emit a signal that can be picked up by a receiving station deployed on the sea floor. Eleven receiving stations have been installed around the island waters. Whenever a shark with a transponder swims within about one kilometre of the receiver, the signal is logged.
In February 2019 the team will be back to lift the receivers and analyse the data on them. It is hoped to gain some insight into movements of the sharks.
