They are the feared stars of films like “Jaws” or “Sharknado”, but this year sharks could be celebrated as heroes. Scientists have begun equipping these marine predators with sensors to collect valuable data for predicting hurricanes.
Sensors on sharks: Data hunters in the ocean
Researchers from the University of Delaware and the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) have fitted blue and mako sharks with sensor tags. These measure the temperature and salinity of the Atlantic, two critical factors in the formation and intensity of hurricanes. Normally, expensive underwater gliders provide this information, slowly and with high effort. The mobile and widely roaming sharks, however, can cover large ocean areas and deliver data that was previously largely inaccessible.
“By attaching these sensors to sharks that travel long distances, we can observe a much larger part of the ocean that would otherwise go unnoticed.”
– explains marine ecologist Aaron Carlisle from the University of Delaware.
Why water temperature drives hurricanes
Hurricanes derive their energy from warm water. Once surface temperatures rise above 27 degrees Celsius (80 Fahrenheit), water evaporates and releases large amounts of heat. This heat is transported into the atmosphere and fuels the formation and intensification of storms. These data are crucial for early prediction of dangerous weather developments.
Proven technology, new helpers
NOAA has been using underwater gliders since 2014; they can reach depths of over 900 metres and take detailed measurements. However, their range is limited. Sharks, on the other hand, dive and roam across vast ocean regions, making them flexible data providers. Similar approaches have been used for some time: In the Arctic and Antarctic, seals and narwhals are equipped with measuring devices, while dolphins and whales have even been used militarily in the past.
Looking to the future
The current number of sensors deployed is still limited, partly due to the impact of the coronavirus pandemic, which delayed the project. However, researchers are convinced that sharks could play a key role in weather forecasting in the future. What was once a nightmare figure in pop culture could thus become an indispensable ally in the fight against natural disasters.
