The Secret Life of Sharks: the Global Race to Protect One of the Ocean’s Most Important Creatures
Sharks are among the most mysterious and feared animals on the planet. Yet many shark species face their own deadly predator: humans. Faced with rising overfishing, shark populations around the world are suffering dramatic declines. Sharks play an important role in maintaining healthy oceans by keeping fish populations in check and removing weak and sick fish form the sea. Efforts to research and conserve sharks are complicated by the technical challenges of studying creatures who live below the ocean surface. Learn about the cutting-edge work of University of Miami Rosenstiel School research professor and shark scientist Neil Hammershlag and the team at UM’s Shark Research and Conservation Program to save the world’s sharks.
Dr. Neil Hammerschlag is a marine ecologist and Research Associate Professor at the University of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine & Atmospheric Science and Abess Center for Ecosystem Science & Policy. He also serves as Director of the Shark Research & Conservation Program at the University of Miami. Neil’s research centers broadly on the behavioral ecology, conservation biology, and movement ecology of marine predators, particularly sharks. His current research has three core themes: (1) understanding the ecological and evolutionary effects of sharks; (2) determining the biological drivers and conservation consequences of shark movement patterns; and (3) examining how urbanization affects the behavior and health of coastal sharks.
