News

What brought the respected Mote Center for Shark Research and the energetic tandem known as the “Shark Brothers” together in the Gulf of Mexico a few weeks ago? Sean and Brooks Paxton, who describe their relationship with sharks as a “respectful fear,” joined members of the Mote Marine Laboratory research team several weeks ago to aid in their assessment of the effect of the Deepwater Horizon spill on the local sharks.

Spending five days aboard the research vessel, the “Shark Brothers” and the research team examined Silkies, Scalloped Hammerheads, Makos, and even a ten-foot tiger shark in an attempt to assess the health of shark populations. Bob Hueter –director of the Center- commented on the complications of the spill on a marine animal whose liver already sustains a delicate balance of oil to control buoyancy: “Yes, the fish look healthy, but inside the liver, inside the blood, reproductive organs…we find residues of the contaminants of the oil,” going on to explain his fear of behavior changes as well; but the experts remain optimistic hoping that there aren’t any “terrible, long-lasting, effects from it.”

For more information check out this informative article as initially reported by “Tampa Bay Online”