Shark Audio Piece

A scientific crew has been studying salmon sharks in Prince William Sound, Alaska since the summer of 2000. Writer and sound recording artist Kathy Turco joins them for an up-close look at salmon sharks. The salmon shark's scientific name, Lamna ditropis, is from the Greek, "lamna", meaning horrifying monster of man-eating tendencies. Powerful yet vulnerable on deck, the scientists have only 3 minutes to gather critical data before the shark must be returned to water. Recently, there has been a marked increase in the number of salmon sharks in Prince William Sound. Scientists are focusing their research on learning more about what salmon sharks eat and where they live seasonally. They insert a small data logger into each captured shark in order to measure body temperature and diving depth. The scientists also attach a satellite transmitter to the dorsal fin in order to track the shark's travels. Sharks have for centuries evoked not only fear, but reverence amongst sea- faring cultures worldwide. Yet there is surprisingly little traditional knowledge about sharks among native Alaskans, despite the large numbers of salmon sharks in some parts of coastal Alaska today. The recent increase in human contacts with salmon sharks in Prince William Sound is indisputable. To learn more about why salmon sharks might be increasing, the cultural importance of sharks, and our relationship to these fascinating marine creatures, listen to the audio (Total time 14:05).