James Sulikowski takes ‘WCSH’ on a shark research trip

There has been a lot of attention focused on sharks lately, with more of them being spotted off the coast of New England.

New data picked up by acoustic receivers set up off the Maine coast by James Sulikowski, Ph.D., professor of marine sciences, indicate an increased presence of white sharks in the area. 

A television crew from WCSH  wanted to learn more about research Sulikowski and his students are conducting.

Sulikowski told WCSH the data gathered is used for better management and conservation efforts.

“Working with other management entities, like the National Marine Fisheries Service, it’s geared towards better management of the species and conserving it," said Sulikowski. "It allows our commercial fisherman to fish and the sharks can still live in their habitat.”

Sulikowski, two UNE graduate students and the WCSH crew recently boarded the research vessel Sharkology and traveled about 15 miles off the coast of Biddeford.

The goal of the researchers is to attach satellite tracking devices on the sharks to trace their movements.

“It’s part of what the university is all about, learning and teaching," Sulikowski explained.

Sulikowski's shark research was also recently featured on WMTW and WCSH’s 207.

“Every year we’re seeing more and more sightings,” he told 207. “We think a lot of it is food sources. Cape Cod has a large seal population and there’s a lot of white sharks down there. We have a lot of seals up here too and it looks like we have everything those white sharks want.”

Sulikowski says he will continue making research trips into December, before starting them up again the spring.