PROJECT PARATA
Studying the oceanic whitetip shark, Carcharhinus longimanus, in French Poylnesia.
photo identification
Using imagery to document individual oceanic white tip sharks using the facial countershade line, dorsal ridge and white pigmentation pattern, along with any distinct features can help us better understand a population baseline for this region (how many individuals migrate through the area). Photo identification programs also allow us to observe growth rates, pregnancies, male to female ratio, wound healing timelines, behavioral change, species association (often observed with pilot whales) and more by observing the same individual multiple times or a large number of unique individuals over a length of time.
We invite all ecotourism operators in French Polynesia to submit any photos or video of their oceanic white tip shark encounters to be added to the database.
2022 SATELLITE TAGGING
Under partnership with the DIREN, the implementation of satellite telemetry for a movement ecology study is the exciting expansion for Project Parata.
This is the first study to investigate movement of the oceanic whitetip shark in the South Pacific.
All research carried out under the Mao Mana Foundation research permit issued by the DIREN for handling of a category B protected species within the marine sanctuary of French Polynesia: PERMIT NO. 06793/MCE/DIREN
Stay tuned for more updates on Project Parata!