10. Great White Sharks: Understanding Their Behavior & Genome with Dr. Chris Lowe

In this episode, we interview Dr. Chris Lowe, a Professor of Marine Biology at California State University Long Beach. Dr. Lowe’s goal is to help expand our knowledge of marine organisms so that we can better manage and protect their ecosystems. He enjoys developing and using new technology and techniques to answer questions about shark and game fish behavior. He applies his knowledge to help train the next generation of biologists on how to use these tools to move the field forward. 

The California State University Long Beach Shark Lab has a long and rich history in elasmobranch (a subclass of rays, sharks, skates, and sawfish) research. The Shark Lab was established in 1966 when Dr. Donald Nelson joined the faculty at CSULB as part of the Marine Biology program. Dr. Nelson’s commitment to the study of sensory biology and the behavior of sharks was instrumental in furthering our understanding of these animals. In 1998, Dr. Chris Lowe, a former Master's student under Dr. Nelson, was hired as his replacement after his passing. Dr. Lowe took over the CSULB Shark Lab and continues to maintain its legacy.

Throughout this conversation, Dr. Lowe shares the types of tools that he and his students deploy to monitor white shark populations along our Southern California coastlines. The CSU lab uses different types of transmitters to tag great white sharks to monitor their movement patterns and physiological processes to better understand their behavior and migration in response to threats and warming ocean temperatures. We learn about current threats like climate change that impact prey availability and also about bycatch as a cause for concern in shark populations. 

Additionally, we dive into learning about the Shark Lab's benefit in working collaboratively with local groups, like lifeguards and fishermen, to ensure that community-based conservation provides valuable solutions for people and the planet. Dr. Lowe informs us about the positive effects of social ecology when humans value the environment for their own benefit. This is important because when we balance stakeholder interests, like fisheries management and lifeguard duties, we can create a sustainable and safe beach environment for sharks and people. 

 

Shark Facts:

Females are larger than males. 

Sharks use their gills to filter oxygen from the water.

Sharks do not have bones but rather cartilaginous skeletons, which are much lighter than true bone. Their large livers are full of low-density oils, both of which help them to be buoyant. 

Based on fossil scales found in Australia and the United States, scientists hypothesize sharks first appeared in the ocean around 455 million years ago.

Sharks are older than trees. 

Great Whites have self-healing properties. 

Episode Resources: 

The CSU Shark Lab needs your help! Due to a smaller state budget this year, the Shark Lab is under threat of losing this funding. State grants have supported all the research efforts we discussed in this episode, which include, tagging and monitoring white sharks, providing educational safety measures to beachgoers, and employing several employees and students. The lack of funding needed to maintain the research and studies would cut conservation efforts and staff employees in half. If you can or know of anyone that would be willing to help support the CSU Shark Lab during this time please help by donating at the link provided below.

As the late September deadline is fast approaching, Dr. Lowe is optimistic that a donor will provide the $500,000 needed to keep the lab operating for another year.

Smaller donations are also welcomed as they will help his students conduct research projects to better understand shark behavior.

To donate, visit the CSULB Shark Lab website.

To contact the shark lab for questions regarding charitable gifts or for further assistance, please contact Mary Ann Messing (p: [phone] e: [email protected]).

Learn more about the Shark Lab 

CSU Shark Lab: 

https://www.csulb.edu/shark-lab/about-the-shark-lab

Contact your local legislator: Email them to advocate for the CSU Shark Lab to receive more funding in the 2024-2025 budget. Find your legislator here. 

LA County Legislators: 

State Assembly (District 69) Assemblymember Josh Lowenthal. Contact here. 

State Senate (District 34) Senator Thomas J. Umberg. Contact here.