Sharks

Maui Shark Behavior Study

The findings of a 2 year long and $186,000 behavioral study of tiger sharks around Maui and Oahu will be released at a conference held in Honolulu this Thursday. The study consisted of tagging and tracking sharks around Maui, sharks were captured and fitted with tracking devices off of Kihei, Olowalu and Kahului shores. Tiger sharks were then tagged and tracked off on Oahu shores for comparative purposes to try and find out if Maui sharks are more “resident,” meaning they make greater use of inshore habitats.

The study was commissioned by the Department of Land and Natural Resources after a large increase in shark attacks off Maui shores between 2012 and 2013. Research has been conducted by the University of Hawaii Marine Biology department. Since the begining of the study a total of 28 tiger sharks have been tagged and tracked including a 14 foot female. The university even made it possible for residents and visitors to track the sharks along with them online and through an app that tells them where these sharks are.

The findings released on Thursday will go into further detail on the behavioral patterns of Maui sharks compared to sharks around other islands.