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The journey of a tracking device began when it detached from a four-meter-long female shark, affectionately called Davenport, near Rainbow Beach, sparking an unforeseen global search effort.
Researchers regularly gather DNA samples from sharks and attach tracking devices to study their movement patterns and behaviors.
While these devices yield critical insights, they are not without their weaknesses.
Shark expert Riley Elliot noted that the detachment of such tags is part of the usual protocol. He mentioned, “It’s the least intrusive method for the sharks, but these tags are costly, and ideally, we retrieve them to use again.”
The tag’s adventure was followed using the Great White app.
“The tag was floating down past Fraser Island past a bunch of coastline, and you’re just waiting for a current to push it into shore,” Elliot said, describing the anxious wait for the device to make landfall.
The tag eventually washed ashore at Mermaid Beach, prompting a social media appeal for its recovery.
The appeal proved remarkably successful.
“An ex-girlfriend from high school texted me and said, I’m going down the beach for my kid’s nippers and they found it on the beach by the showers, ” Elliot said, illustrating the unexpected role of social connections in the recovery.
“Ironically, my best friend is coming up for my birthday next weekend and they gave it to him, and he’s flying it back.”
Attention has now turned to another tag, this one detached from a great white shark nicknamed Deep Blue, which is in waters off Bundaberg.
There is hope that this tag will also be recovered.
“I’m hoping because that’s where Davenport’s started, that this one too might end up on a populist beach and someone else might find it,” Elliot said.
The recovery of these tags is crucial for the continuation of the shark tracking program.