Science and Research

Tanya Griffin Houppermans is an American Academy of Underwater Sciences (AAUS) certified Scientific Diver who is at the forefront of shark research working with some of the world's most well-respected shark scientists and conservationists. Here is a sample of the projects Tanya has been involved in.

North Carolina Shark Research Expedition

In early 2022 Tanya co-led a research expedition off the coast of North Carolina with Dr. James Sulikowski of the Sulikowski Shark and Fish Conservation Lab at Arizona State University to study shark reproduction where sharks were safely caught and ultrasounds conducted on female sharks.  If a shark was found to be pregnant she was outfitted with a state-of-the-art birth tag which would notify researchers when and where she gave birth . The expedition was a huge success, as the team was the first ever to successfully birth tag a pregnant sand tiger shark. This groundbreaking discovery of when and where the sand tiger shark gave birth was highlighted during a segment on NBC's Today Show! (That segment can be viewed in its entirety on the Blue Elements Imaging and Exploration homepage)

The team caught an incredible variety of shark species off North Carolina, including this 10.5 ft scalloped hammerhead! This shark was a male, so instead of conducting an ultrasound a satellite tag was connected to his fin so that his movements can be tracked after he was released. This information will then help us to learn more about shark migratory patterns off of North Carolina and the entire Atlantic coast. (A special thank you to Instigator Fishing and Diving Charters for their critical support of this research!)

Sand Tiger Sharks

After partnering with the North Carolina Aquariums to develop the citizen science program Spot A Shark USA back in 2017 (see the Spot A Shark USA page on this website for more information), Tanya continues to work closely with Dr. Carol Seals Price, the project manager and lead scientists for Spot A Shark USA, to further our knowledge of western Atlantic sand tiger populations. One of the ways she does this is to use a technique called Paired Laser Photogrammetry (or PLP) to measure sand tigers during her dives off the coast of North Carolina. When Tanya attaches the PLP rig to her underwater camera housing, two green laser dots show up on the side of the shark she has photographed. Since the distance between the lasers on the PLP rig is known, an accurate length of the shark can then be calculated from the image itself without ever touching the shark. And let's face it, it's just cool to say that your job involves sharks and laser beams!

Shark Reproduction

Working with Dr. Neil Hammerschlag of the Shark Research and Conservation Program at the University of Miami and Dr. James Sulikowski of the Sulikowski Shark and Fish Conservation Lab at Arizona State University, Tanya was part of a research expedition off the coast of Grand Bahama studying shark reproduction, particularly tiger sharks. The sharks were caught and safely secured to the side of the boat, at which point an ultrasound was conducted. If the shark was pregnant, then it was fitted with a tag. After tagging, each shark was quickly released unharmed. The information gathered from this research will help scientists learn more about where and when sharks give birth! (Cue Baby Shark song....).

Sharks of Winyah Bay

Tanya worked with Dr. Daniel Abel of Coastal Carolina University to catch, tag, and release sharks in Winyah Bay, South Carolina as part of the CCU Shark Project. The goals of this project are to identify sharks inhabiting Winyah Bay, Murrell’s Inlet, and North Inlet; describe shark population structure, distribution, and migrations and their environmental influences; determine whether these systems serve as nurseries; and identify human impacts. Several species of sharks have been identified in these areas, including lemon sharks, bull sharks, Atlantic sharpnose sharks, and sandbar sharks as seen in these images. Dr. Abel also uses these research cruises to teach his students about safe and proper shark handling and tagging techniques. For those interested in an informative, interesting, and comprehensive book about sharks, be sure to check out Dr. Abel's book that he co-authored with Dr. Dean Grubbs, Shark Biology and Conservation: Essentials for Educators, Students, and Enthusiasts.