Jump directly to the content
ONCE BITTEN

Amazing shark tracker you NEED to check before heading to the beach

IF you're planning a trip to the beach this summer and are worried about shark attacks, then this app is an absolute must.

Built by marine conservation group Ocearch, the tracking system shows the locations of finned predators across the globe.

This shark tracker shows the locations of dozens of the toothy predators
3
This shark tracker shows the locations of dozens of the toothy predatorsCredit: OCEARCH
Tapping on a shark opens a pop-up with some of the fish's stats
3
Tapping on a shark opens a pop-up with some of the fish's statsCredit: OCEARCH

Dozens of the toothy man-eaters are tracked by the organisation as part of its research efforts.

Once you've opened the , you can tap on a shark to look at its weight and length, as well as where it's travelled since it was tagged.

The beast's name, estimated age and the date it was tagged are also shown.

Deadly tiger sharks and great whites are among the species traced by the Ocearch, which is based in the United States.

As well as sharks, the tracker keeps an eye on other marine wildlife, including turtles and dolphins.

Ocearch says its scientists have tagged 416 animals in total.

They attach GPS trackers during expeditions aboard the research ship called the "M/V OCEARCH", which serves as an at-sea laboratory.

The vessel contains a hydraulic platform designed to safely lift marine animals out of the ocean for access by a research team.

"Animals are caught from tenders, using handlines, and are guided by hand in the water on and off the lift," Ocearch writes on its website.

"The animals are then brought to the submerged platform of the M/V OCEARCH vessel and the platform is raised.

"Once the animals are restrained and hoses of water have been set to enable a continuous flow of fresh seawater over the gills, the science team, made up of researchers and veterinarians, begins its process.

"Tags such as SPOT, acoustic, and accelerometer are attached, morphometrics are recorded, and samples, such as blood and tissue, are collected."

Dozens of the toothy man-eaters are tracked by the organisation as part of its research efforts
3
Dozens of the toothy man-eaters are tracked by the organisation as part of its research effortsCredit: Getty

Science facts

Want to know more about the weird and wonderful world of science? From space and astronomy to the human body, we have you covered...

 

Terrifying moment huge shark circles tiny fisherman's boat off the coast of Cornwall

In other news, the remains of the oldest known shark victim have revealed that he died 3,000 years ago after his leg was bitten off.

Terrifying megalodon sharks that roamed our oceans millions of years ago could grow to over 50 feet, according to a new study.

A sunken ship has been found in almost perfect condition despite spending 400 years underwater.

And, Ancient Egyptian coffins sealed for thousands of years have been found down a burial shaft.


We pay for your stories! Do you have a story for The Sun Online Tech & Science team? Email us at [email protected]


Topics