What is the focus of shark research at VIMS?
The Virginia Institute of Marine Science is one of four members of the National Shark Research Consortium. The VIMS Shark Research Program, established by Dr. Jack Musick, has been monitoring shark populations in the Chesapeake Bight using standardized, fishery-independent longline surveys since 1973. This long-term data set represents the longest running fishery-independent shark-monitoring program in the world. The scientists and students at VIMS provide detailed analyses of habitat use, age, growth, reproduction, trophic dynamics, and demographics of commercially, recreationally, and ecologically important shark species.
