Shark Tracker (Study Guide)

Sharks are creatures of mystery. Although they are familiar to everyone, they are almost universally both feared and admired. Compared to dolphins and many other sea animals, however, very little is known about them. Shark Tracker is a documentary that takes us on a voyage of discovery.

Shark Tracker follows Richard Fitzpatrick, a passionate marine biologist, paleo-biologist and underwater-cameraman who has spent over 8,000 hours underwater. Richard caught his first shark when he was twelve years old. He is obviously quite fascinated by them.

In Shark Tracker, Richard and his team begin by catching two whitetip reef sharks (affectionately known as Lefty and Jezebel) who need new batteries for their tracking tags. After their transmitters are inserted, these sharks will be monitored by satellite tracking. This will allow Richard to study the animals' social behaviour, movements and predating.

Richard goes to find Lefty, Jezebel and the other whitetip sharks in the area. They tag new sharks and change the batteries of those which have already been fitted with audio transmitters. Jezebel however has disappeared and there is a scene onboard the Undersea Explorer where Richard says, 'I really miss Jezebel, she was a lovely shark'. It is after this 'gentle' introduction, that Richard and his team seek more dangerous sharks.

Shark Tracker contains information relevant to Biology, Science and SOSE. Some key terms and concepts that could be introduced and explored using the video include:

• structural, behavioural (territorial, hunting, reproductive) characteristics of sharks
• food chains, food webs
• classification, binomial nomenclature
• ecological issues
• fishing – why and how to control
  overfishing?
• vulnerable, threatened or endangered
  species, extinction
• habitat, habitat destruction and
  protection
• reasons why a species may become
  endangered or extinct
• conservation and conservation
  groups