Select a ping to view more details about each shark, or apply specific filters to the map.
Love the OCEARCH
Global Shark Tracker?
Help us track more sharks by making a tax deductible donation to OCEARCH today! Go to rally.org/OCEARCH to donate!
Filters
Locations
Pings
Less than 72 hours
Less than 30 days
More than 30 days
About
Welcome to OCEARCH's Global Shark Tracker where you can observe the navigational pattern of sharks that have been tagged with satellite tracking technology all for the purpose of shark conservation.
OCEARCH facilitates unprecedented research by supporting leading researchers and institutions seeking to attain groundbreaking data on the biology and health of sharks, in conjunction with basic research on shark life history and migration.
Sharks play a crucial role of maintaining balance in the delicate oceanic ecosystem as they have an effect on all levels in the food web below them. Unfortunately sharks are being slaughtered every day putting the shark at risk for survival. The navigational and migratory data being collected from OCEARCH will be used to support and devise successful conservation and management strategies which will affect policy for global change.
Frequently Asked Questions
Select on a question for more information.
-
Why did the shark ping on land?
When the shark's fin breaks the surface, sometimes it is for a very short time which effects the accuracy of the ping. There is a classification system that rates the quality of the ping as follows:
- Class 3: better than 250 m radius
- Class 2: better than 500 m radius
- Class 1: better than 1500 m radius
- Class 0: over 1500 m radius
- Class A,B,Z = no accuracy could be calculated
For example, when you see a ping on land that is close to the shore, the shark is more than likely swimming along that shore.
-
Why does it look like the shark traveled over land?
The tracking system simply connects the last ping to the next ping and does not account for the fact the animal being tracked is a shark and clearly does not travel on land.
-
Do the sharks really swim in straight lines?
No. The lines connect between the pings as the shark has come up to the surface and are used to help determine the shark's path.
-
How does a shark "ping" in?
This occurs when the shark's fin (fitted with a SPOT) tag breaks the surface and a satellite is over head. The longer the shark's fin is above water, the more accurate the ping. It can detect the radius to within 250 meters.
-
What is the time span between pings?
Time span between points vary. We only get a position when the shark surfaces for a long enough period of time, thus it is totally dependent on the shark's behavior. Sometimes we get 4-5 per day, sometimes a week or two can go by without a ping. You can also check the date of each ping to see the time span of each individual shark.
-
What is a SPOT tag?
A SPOT tag is what is attached to the dorsal fin of the shark. It stands for Smart Position and Temperature Tag. It can record various types of information such as temperature, salinity and depth. The tag has a high powered transmitter that sends data to satellites on a regular basis. The large battery used to power the tag has a switch that turns it on when it breaks the surface, and off when it is submerged to save the battery life.
-
How fast do sharks swim?
It depends on the type of shark. Great Whites can reach speeds of anywhere from 20-35 mph when they are hunting, but typically cruise around the ocean at speeds of just 5mph.
-
Where are the sharks when they aren't pinging?
The sharks are swimming around down below the surface where their SPOT tags are unable to communicate with the satellites.
-
What areas have the sharks been tagged in?
Our OCEARCH team tagged Great Whites in Mossel Bay, Gansbaai, Struisbaai, Algoa Bay and False Bay.
-
What is the difference between an immature shark and a mature shark?
A mature shark is considered sexually mature and able to reproduce, whereas an immature shark cannot.
-
Are the shark pings in my timezone?
All shark pings are reported in Greenwich Mean Time (GMT).
Terms of Use
Ownership of Copyright
The copyright in this website and the material on this website (including without limitation the text, computer code, artwork, photographs, images, material, video material and audio-visual material on this website) is owned by OCEARCH.
Copyright License
OCEARCH grants to you a worldwide non-exclusive royalty-free revocable license to:
- View this website and the material on this website on the web or a mobile device
- Copy and store this website and the material on this website through your iTunes account or on an iPhone/iPad
OCEARCH does not grant you any other rights in relation to this website or the material on this website. In other words, all other rights are reserved. For the avoidance of doubt, you must not adapt, edit, change, transform, publish, republish, distribute, redistribute, broadcast, rebroadcast or show or play in public this website or the material on this website (in any form or media).
Data Mining
The automated and/or systematic collection of data from this website is prohibited.
Enforcement of Copyright
OCEARCH takes the protection of its copyright very seriously. OCEARCH discovers that you have used its copyright materials in contravention of the license above, OCEARCH may bring legal proceedings against you seeking monetary damages and an injunction to stop you using those materials, resulting in substantial legal costs awarded against the offending entity/entities.
OCEARCH is a federally registered trademark and its unauthorized use is a violation of applicable federal trademark law.
www.ocearch.org
Shark Name:
Species:
Gender:
Stage of Life:
Length:
Weight:
Tag Date:
Tag Location:
Description:
Photos
Videos
