In order to better understand and protect the sharks of the St. Lawrence, the Greenland Shark and Elasmobranch Education and Research Group [GEERG] is seeking funding to set-up the world’s first visual shark monitoring system near Baie-Comeau, Quebec. This webcam system would allow GEERG to visually study individual sharks at the only known location in the world where the Greenland shark can be observed at shallow depths.
The underwater webcams would also allow GEERG to study the shark’s habitat and how it interacts with other species in the area. The online images would be accessible at all times to the general public, schools and other institutions in Baie-Comeau and all over the world in order to promote environmental awareness, shark conservation, and to showcase Canada’s little-known underwater heritage.
Financial and physical constraints prevent GEERG from spending much time in the water. Diving operations are expensive and require much preparation so they are limited to no more than three hours underwater per day. Disturbances caused by divers have an effect on the shark’s activities and thus prevent GEERG from observing its natural behavior. The webcams would allow GEERG to monitor the shark and its environment 24 hours a day for most of the year. Anyone with a computer could also log on and help.
Millions of sharks are killed for their fins every year. Because many other shark species have already been decimated, the Greenland shark has recently been targeted as a new source of fins. And yet so little is known about this species, including its population, range and biology. GEERG‘s webcam system would allow them to learn more about this shark, and the new knowledge would be shared with other scientists, regulatory agencies and the fishing community in order to protect this key northern species and its environment. All GEERG scientists and divers are volunteers so every penny of the funding would go to the project.
GEERG was the first group to conduct pelagic shark dives on the East Coast and they were the first ever to film the Greenland shark under natural conditions anywhere in the world. Their work has been documented in scientific publications, documentaries, articles and news stories. They have also been active in schools to educate youth on the need to better understand and appreciate sharks in Canada.
GEERG is a not-for-profit registered charity that requires financial assistance to conduct field operations. Donations are tax deductible in Canada (Canada Revenue: 834462913RR0001) and also in the U.S. through the Shark Research Institute, a non-profit 501(c)(3) research organization. GEERG is also a member of the Canadian Association for Underwater Science.
The results of their work, as well as educational materials are available on their website (http://www.geerg.ca), in English and in French.
Several corporations, institutions and universities have become GEERG affiliates. Their support has enabled them to conduct ground-breaking research on the Greenland shark. However, their project in Baie-Comeau requires the acquisition of more expensive equipment and services, and they need your help.
Please vote for GEERG’s project and help them study and protect the elusive Greenland shark in Baie-Comeau here: http://www.avivacommunityfund.org/ideas/acf11019