Exploring the Depths of Shark Week: UNC-Chapel Hill’s Shark Experts Share Insights and Conservation Challenges

Shark Week is set to return on July 7, 2024, and UNC-Chapel Hill’s esteemed shark experts are eager to share their knowledge and discoveries about these fascinating creatures.

Joel Fodrie, an expert at UNC-Chapel Hill, specializes in the diversity and dynamics of shark populations along the Carolina coast. He can explain the most common shark species, their size range, habitats, and how these populations have evolved over time. Fodrie can also address the threats faced by sharks due to overfishing, habitat destruction, and climate change.

Salomé Jaramillo Gil focuses on hammerhead sharks and how their movements correlate with external factors such as depth, temperature gradients, and chlorophyll levels. She can elaborate on the importance of hammerhead sharks in the ecosystem and the conservation challenges they currently face.

Savannah Ryburn’s expertise lies in the diets of sharks and how their feeding habits can reveal migration patterns and habitat preferences. Through a non-invasive technique called metabarcoding, Ryburn can analyze the DNA of shark prey to gain valuable insights without harming the animals. She can also explain the vital roles sharks play in the ecosystem and discuss ways to protect them by preserving their food sources.

John Bruno is a leading expert who can provide valuable insights into how shark populations can serve as indicators of the overall ecosystem’s health. He also has expertise in discussing issues surrounding mislabeling seafood products including fish and shark meat. Bruno will detail how climate change influences shark behavior distribution impacts on marine ecology.

For interviews with any of these experts please contact mediarelations@unc.edu or call 919-445-8555