eShark

eShark provides a simple way for divers, snorkelers and recreational fishers to report the sharks, rays and sawfish they see, and don’t see (zero’s are just as important!), in a way that is used to assess and monitor populations, communities and ecosystems. Most importantly, we use this data to assess the need for, and success of marine management initiatives, including sanctuaries.

eShark surveys have been rigorously developed through collaborations with divers, statisticians, biologists and experts in the field of citizen science. eShark depends on collaborations with interested parties around the world to facilitate data collection.

If you would like to obtain a snapshot picture or an ongoing monitoring program in your area, please contact eshark.org .

1. Historical Sightings Survey

For divers that have dived A LOT in a few areas.

Please summarize your shark sightings, even if you saw NONE, for each location and decade you have been diving.

English	Italiano	Español
Deutsch	Português

2. Current Sightings Survey

For all divers and snorkellers.

Please report the number of sharks, rays and skates you see after every dive, even if you saw NONE at all!

English

Join Shark Facebook Group

Printable word document versions for dive shops and divers in areas with limited internet access.
Current Survey DOC Historical Survey DOC

About Christine Ward-Paige

I am broadly interested in the effect of human disturbances and marine protection efforts on marine animal populations. I am particularly interested in using and developing non-extractive techniques for monitoring when possible. My current research uses recreational scuba divers as citizen scientists to describe and monitor shark and ray populations.

I have been a diving since 1993 and have >500 dives in cold and tropical water. I’ve worked on a variety of underwater projects, including: benthic diversity in Jamaica, sea urchin behaviour in Louisiana, and sea turtle grazing and sedimentation rates in the Bahamas. I developed and implemented a rapid bioerosion protocol (using boring sponges) for coral reef monitoring projects and used chemistry to identify sources of nutrients on reefs in Florida, Mexico, and Belize.

If you would like to know more about shark and marine science then join my Facebook group “Shark”.

You will receive reports and brief summaries of what’s new.

Education:

PhD
“Monitoring elasmobranch populations using scuba divers: Patterns, trends and potential biases”
Ransom A. Myers and Heike K. Lotze
Dalhousie University, Canada
2010

MSc
“Extent and history of nutrient loading in the Florida Keys”
Michael J. Risk
McMaster University, Canada
2003

BSc
Geoscience
McMaster University, Canada
2001

Throughout the months of April and November every year, you have the opportunity to help celebrate and record Fiji’s amazing coral reef biodiversity, show you care about our world’s delicate coral reef systems, and have fun, by taking part in the FIJI-WIDE SHARK COUNT!

Easy to do, this is suitable for visitors and locals alike, whether you like to fish, snorkel, or SCUBA dive. We hope that tourists, school children, scientists and all people with an interest in the marine environment will take to the reefs with us to search for the Sharks of Fiji!

The Great Fiji Shark Count will be held across Fiji every April and November every year.

You can do a single count, or take part as many times as you like during that month, so that you cover different reefs. All data will be gratefully accepted!

So, see your resort, watersports operator or travel agent, get your Shark identification materials and dive into the beautiful blue waters of Fiji, to be a part of history!