Lisa Crawford and members of the Frisk Lab join Oyster Bay Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino at Tobay Beach. Photos by Meredith Whitten.
Dr. Oliver Shipley
The Lab of Dr. Michael Frisk attended a press conference in front of media on Wednesday August 12 in light of recent shark sightings on beaches of Long Island. The group presented their research and tracking efforts to the public to highlight how the work being completed at Stony Brook University is used monitor efforts to keep our local ecosystems healthy.
Dr. Michael Frisk, technician Michael Fogg, Ph.D. student Lisa Crawford, and Dr. Oliver Shipley joined Oyster Bay Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino at Tobay Beach.
Michael Fogg demonstrated how the lab uses acoustical tags attached to sharks to monitor the traffic in our local waters. Lisa Crawford, Dr. Shipley and Dr. Frisk pointed out that there is limited evidence for increased shark sightings and discussed long-term acoustic tracking of shark and other fish species. They further explained the importance of Long Island ecosystems as critical habitats for sharks, supporting a diverse array of species during the summer months in addition to outlining how chemical tracer techniques are being used to monitor shark feeding and health. Results from long-term tracking in the New York Bight acoustic network and the recently installed acoustic gate to Great South Bay funded by NYSDEC were highlighted.
The press conference was covered by several news agencies:
Michael Fogg with an acoustical receiver.
CBS New York Shark Patrols Increase At Long Island Beaches After Spike In Sightings
Fox 5 NY After series of recent shark sightings, new safety measures in place on Long Island beaches
ABC 7 NY With 20 sharks spotted in 2 weeks, tracking efforts underway on Long Island
News 12 Long Island Stony Brook researchers explain efforts to monitor local marine life amid repeated shark sightings
Pix11 Researchers say Long Island shark sightings are normal for this time of year
