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Blue & Mako | Misc. | White | Basking | Benthic | Stranded

White Sharks
New Years Point and its associated island were first discovered by westerners on New Year's day 1603. Spanish Naval Captain Sebastian Viscaino named the point "Punta Del Ano Nuevo" and noted that the low rocky point was infested with wild sea creatures. Centuries later the site has become a state park and wildlife refuge. The often-treacherous channel between the island and the mainland is nearly a mile wide and must be traversed by researchers and rangers in an inflatable zodiac w/ outboard. The island is off limits to the public because of its sensitivity. In 1906 the United States Coast Guard established a lighthouse and station in hopes of remedying the numerous shipwrecks that became peculiar to the area. During the Second World War the island was modestly fortified and was used as a naval observations post. Some years after the war a new lighthouse was established at Pigeon Point and the facility on Ano Nuevo Island was abandoned as too costly to maintain. There had been nearly a dozen fatalities in and around the island's channel through the course of the facilities 50 or so years of operations. In the early 1970's UCSC Professor Burney Le Boeuf established a research station among the ruins of the old Coast Guard facility. Long known as an area frequented by large sharks the white shark research project began in earnest during the fall of 1992. Van Sommeran/PSRF	40K Copyright PSRF
Shark Station Zebra: Ano Nuevo Island is the base of operations for the white shark study. Shark researchers share the island with marine bird and mammal researchers. Professor Le Boeuf established a research station among the ruins of the old abandoned U.S. Coast Guard facility in the early 1970's. The white shark project began in 1992 and coordinates efforts between island and vessel-borne operations. The island is an extremely sensitive site as many elusive species of marine birds and pinnipeds have returned to the island. Because of this sensitivity and abundance the island is off limits to the public. The island presents an ideal field lab. Van Sommeran/PSRF	19K Copyright PSRF
Another aerial recon photo of Ano Nuevo Island. Van Sommeran/PSRF	56K Copyright PSRF
In this Aerial recon shot the camera is pointed NNW facing the islands south-end. The 2-story mansion stands alone on area 1, in the photo's lower foreground. The south side of the large tan colored foghorn building stands out in the photo's upper left and the much smaller tan colored cement bunker can be seen with its door open. The circular cistern turret is partially obscured by dunes and brush. A tall pole stands just to the right of the island's high ground. At the base of the pole are the remnants of the collapsed lighthouse beacon. To the right is the shoreward side of the island and the channel. To the left of the island, where the large tan building is (projects base station) is the western side of the island and the open sea. The white shark observatory study began in the late summer of 1992. PSRF staff has since then tagged over 20 white sharks including 5 with transmitters, have documented a number of feeding events and ID'd numerous individual white sharks. Efficient coordination between island base and the vessel operations took some practice, as there is no way to deploy from the island itself. In order put researchers on the island, an inflatable Zodiac is used. Researchers must don wet suits and crash helmets for the often-perilous surf landing across the mile wide channel between the point and the island. Under some conditions surf kayaks are used. The research boat (23' ft Chris Craft, 25' ft Whaler) must motor 25 miles up the coast to the island, which can take over an hour. This trip can be hectic during the stormy months of winter. Since 1900 there have been over a dozen fatalities within the channel due to shipwrecks and hazardous surf conditions. All PSRF A-team members (Ano Nuevo Team) are drown proofed, dive master, surf rescue qualified and aggro. All A-team members must meet or exceed all U.S. Navy SEALS readiness standards and qualifications. A-team personnel are well trained, capable and efficient, completely organized and without problems. Their motto? " Who Dares, Wins." Scot Davis/PSRF Winter 1997.	48K Copyright PSRF
In this PSRF recon photo of the old U.S. Coast Guard base, the camera is pointed to the ENE, facing the seaward shore of the Island. Clearly seen in this photo is the concrete western wall ringing the large tan colored fog horn building which houses the base station and Island crew quarters. Also shown is the concrete bunker and cistern turret. The smaller bunker to the left of the larger building and turret serves as the main radio room and kitchen facility. The station is powered by a diesel generator housed in the fog building. To the right of the base station and turret can be seen the abandoned 2 story mansion that once was home to coast guard and naval personnel. The once beautiful mansion is now inhabited with seabirds and sealions. The cistern turret is also out of commission. Researchers and park staff restrict their movements to narrow walking paths that criss-cross the island as to avoid the most sensitive areas of bird nesting areas such as auklet burrows. There are numerous observation blinds and sneak paths for monitoring the island's beaches and seal haul-outs. Scot Davis/PSRF Winter 1997.	201K Copyright PSRF
Looking west from Point Ano Nuevo across the channel to the abandoned Coast Guard mansion on Ano Nuevo Island's southern point. The area is a wildlife reserve and state park. Casper/PSRF	6K Copyright PSRF
Looking east at Ano Nuevo Island's western seaward shore. The channel is on the other side of the island. This is the view of the island that the research boat has much of the time while awaiting predatory events. The dark colored mansion is on the right of the island, The fog horn building is the light colored building in the right center of the island and the light tan colored bunker can be seen to the left of the fog horn building. Van Sommeran/PSRF	7K Copyright PSRF
The abandoned Coast Guard mansion. On the island, facing to the northeast one can view the island's southwestern shore. The lighthouse keeper's mansion was abandoned to the sealions and marine birds after a new lighthouse was built at Pigeon Point during the late 50's. A research station has been established within the old USCG facility's fog-horn building and cement bunker which was more able to withstand the rigors exposure. A well-weathered study blind can be seen on the cliff ledge to the left. Form this blind researchers can observe the behaviors of the islands marine birds and pinnipeds. Casper/PSRF	9K Copyright PSRF
An adult bull northern elephant seal of about 2 tons catches some sleep in between bouts of brawling with rival males. The bull elephant seals fight for dominance over the harems of females that cover the islands small beaches. The northern elephant seal is the deepest diving of all marine mammals, rivaled only by the massive sperm whale both species can dive down to depths of 5000 feet. Elephant seals live most of their lives on the open ocean often feeding on deepwater squid. It is unknown whether or not white sharks follow the elephant seal migrations or rather intercept them at the rookeries and haul-outs like Ano Nuevo Island and the Farallons. Casper/PSRF	17K Copyright PSRF
An inflatable UCSC zodiac w/ a 15 horse outboard is used to transfer supplies and personnel to and from the island. The channel can be treacherous during the winter months and skiffs have been over-turned. Wet suits are required on even calm days. In the foreground a sub adult bull carries the scars of an encounter with T-Rex. While bull elephant seals are extremely tough and do not go quietly when attacked, even alpha bulls are a potential target for the worlds largest known predatory shark, the white shark, C. carcharias. (T-Rex). Part of the island based shark researcher's daily routine is to survey all the island's beaches and haul outs for evidence of shark bites on pinnipeds. Casper/PSRF	16K Copyright PSRF
S. Van Sommeran stands on the island's high ground while standing the morning watch. Researchers on the island communicate via VHF marine radio and cell phone with a research boat that orbits the island's seaward side, drifting lures and keeping a sharp look out for predatory events. At each tide change a survey of the island's beaches and haul-outs are conducted to record the occurrences and locations of bitten pinnipeds. A typical island crew consists of 2 to 4 researchers who stay on the island for 3 to 5 days. The research station has a diesel generator in the old fog horn building that provides electricity to light the compound and support a kitchen facility, which is located in the old concrete bunker. The research boat "Pelagic 1" can be seen on the horizon to the extreme left of the photo just above the crumbling wall. A VHF marine radio antenna can see seen sticking up from the roof of the concrete bunker at the right of the photo. Styllos/PSRF	11K Copyright PSRF
This fortunate California sealion was able to escape an attacking white shark and live to bark about it. While its rudders and tail section were badly shot up, the sealion had no major structural damage and was able to recover from his wounds. Van Sommeran/PSRF	21K Copyright PSRF
At the change of every tide a member of the island crew surveys all the islands beaches and haul-outs for bitten and dead pinnipeds or other evidence of shark activity. This unfortunate California sealion was badly bitten by a white shark. The sealion's body cavity was breached and its vital organs were exposed when it worked its self up the beach where it expired after 5 days. It is not unusual to find parts of partially consumed pinnipeds washed ashore during periods of heavy shark predation. Kochly/PSRF	15K Copyright PSRF
A badly shark bitten California sealion (Z. californicus) rests on the rocks of the islands western seaward shore. By the next day the sealion had expired. A good indicator for the presence of white sharks around the island is the occurrences of bitten, mauled, and otherwise predator damaged marine mammals that come ashore. There is a marked increase in these kinds of events during the fall and early winter. Seals and sealions are themselves, remarkably alert and vigorous predators that are often able to fight their way out or evade a pursuing shark. The heavy scars on most of the sharks indicate the ferocity with which the two species engage in. To find a terrestrial (on land) equivalent of a white shark, you would have to consider a predator that would routinely prey upon grizzly bears (Ursus arctos) and timber wolves (Canis lupus). Please forgive the marine to terrestrial analogy, northern elephants are actually much larger than Griz. Scot Davis/PSRF Winter 1997.	219K Copyright PSRF
UCSC field biologist Patricia Morris conducts a seasonal census of elephant seals on Beach 17, on the islands eastern landward shore. Ano Nuevo Island and its adjoining point represent the worlds largest mainland elephant seal rookery. The Island and associated point are a state wildlife reserve and its surrounding waters are federally protected by the jurisdiction of the Monterey Bay and Gulf of the Farallons National Marine Sanctuary. The bull elephant seal challenging pat to a duel weighs over two tons. Fritz-Cope/PSRF Oct 1997.	186K Copyright PSRF
California sealions (zalophus) body surf in the channel between the island and the mainland. Hein/PSRF	15K Copyright PSRF
Stellar sealions are almost three times the size of California sealions. These female Stellar's are very valuable because they are breeders for an endangered species. Hein/PSRF	9K Copyright PSRF
Harbor seals are relatives of the elephant seal, (Phocids). Like the elephant seal, the harbor seal is a diver propelling itself with its hind flippers whereas sealions like the California and Stellar's sealions propel themselves with powerful strokes of the fore flippers, (Otarids). Harbor seals can out dive sealions and can dive as deep as 1500 feet. White sharks are known to consume them all. Casper/PSRF	20K Copyright PSRF
Ano Nuevo Island is the seasonal home to numerous species of rare and endangered marine birds and pinnipeds. Researchers with UCSC and PRBO study auklets, cormorants, pelicans, and other marine birds, which use the island for nesting or shelter. Hein/PSRF	19K Copyright PSRF
Research vessel crew, from left to right, Dr. Dave Casper, Sean Van Sommeran and Ross Hein wait out their watch while aboard the "Pelagic 1" (PSRF research boat) during a long uneventful rainy day December of 1995. 1995 was the first year that PSRF began to approach predatory events and during the course of that season they were able to tag 12 white sharks, (a national record). Many an uneventful day is spent by the crew with nothing to do but watch the wind blow. Fall of 1996. Casper/PSRF	11K Copyright PSRF
In the above photo the view is toward the southeast. In the upper left side of the photo the island and the northwest side of the island's base station can be seen. The tan building is the old "fog horn building" where the research team resides. The shark pictured here is an adult female white shark of approx. 15 feet long. A large orange ball buoy has been attached to the flat surface decoy as a visual marker. Large swells can make observing a distant decoy difficult, a buoy makes it easier to visually track. Casper/PSRF December 1995	12K Copyright PSRF
Surface lures in the shape of e-seals are used to draw the sharks to the surface in order to photograph and tape the sharks for ID purposes and to attach transmitters and tags. The surface lure, or target, as it is sometimes referred to, is painted brown on the bottom and white on the top. The surface shape is drifted away from the boat at a discrete distance and watched closely. Oct 1997. Scott Davis/PSRF	13K Copyright PSRF
As the surface target drifts over certain areas, sharks will often make a pass at the lure or may actually strike a target. The average life-span of a white shark surface decoy at Ano Nuevo is not very long and must typically be replaced within a season or two at most, Oct 1997. Scott Davis/PSRF	13K Copyright PSRF
In this photo, a large 18' foot long white shark can be seen as it grabs a 6 foot long surface lure in its mouth and briefly carries it. The shark has a distinctive notch on the trailing edge of the dorsal fin. A second target (8-footer) can be seen floating to the left of the screen. The surface decoys or "targets" are painted white on the surface side and brown (like a seal) on the bottom side. Dec 1996. Fritz-Cope/PSRF	14K Copyright PSRF
A 1200 lb. sub adult female white shark is fended off of the boats outdrive as it makes a fast pass at the stern of "Pelagic 1". January 17, 1997. The shark was drawn to the surface with the surface lure and the shark then took a brief interest in the boats outdrive. Scott Davis/PSRF	9K Copyright PSRF
Taking photos of white shark heads are useful for ID purposes. Scars and identifying features can be clearly seen on the head of this 18' ft white shark that was tagged during the winter of 1995-96 at Ano Nuevo Island.	194K Copyright PSRF
We use photos of dorsal and caudal fins to identify individual white sharks.	220K Copyright PSRF
A white shark is tagged on the left side of the dorsal with a Dept of Fish and Game tag aboard the 'Pelagic I' off of Ano Nuevo island. 1995-96 season.	198K Copyright PSRF
A transmitter mounted on a lance is poised by Van Sommeran just prior to application, Oct 15, 1997. Five white sharks and three northern elephant seals were attached with sonic transmitters between Oct 13th and Oct 26th 1997. The transmitters are of Vemco design manufactured by PSRF staff at Dr Klimley's lab at UCD Bodega Bay Marine Lab. Dr A. Peter Klimley and Dr Burney Le Boeuf are the world's foremost authorities on the ethology and behavior of white sharks and northern elephant seals. The tracking system recently employed with much success at Ano Nuevo was previously used by Klimley to great effect in Hawaii with tunas. Le Boeuf is best known for his incredibly detailed and hi-tech trackings of both male and female N. elephant seals.	15K Copyright PSRF
Chief Science officer and UCSC senior grad student Scot Davis mans the Ducane hydrophone/head set in order to monitor the area for the approach of any of the 5 transmittered white sharks that were tagged during the 1997-98 field study. The transmittered sharks are also tracked and plotted remotely via an automated system involving an array of sona-buoys and radio signals thru a computer timer-interphase and stored to discette on the island's base computer, (Kilmley/Le Boeuf) which also plots the sharks live in real time. This new system has an amazing potential and the project is being developed accordingly. C. Fritz-Cope/PSRF Nov 1997.	15K Copyright PSRF
In this simplistic chart we see the two different strategies believed to be employed by white sharks to prey upon seals and sealions. White sharks are known to hunt both types of pinnipeds. Sealions belong to the group of pinnipeds called Otarids and seals to the group called Phocids. Otarids are often referred to as "eared seals" and Phocids as "ear-less seals". Sealions use their fore-flippers to propel themselves through the water and typically travel along the surface, often porpoise'ing. Seals on the other hand, propel themselves with their hind-flippers and typically travel along the bottom while only surfacing to resporate between dives. Elephant seals and harbor seals are both Phocids who are capable of diving to great depths. The harbor seal can dive to over 1500 feet. The northern elephant seal can dive to 5000 feet. Wild California sealions can dive to 350-400 feet tops. Klimely/PSRF	10K Copyright PSRF
A dead sub-adult female northern elephant seal is secured with a pole gaff. The seal was observed to float to the surface not far from the island by Callaghan Fritz-Cope who was on watch in the base station's high blind, Oct 13th 1997. Fritz-Cope alerted Van Sommeran and Davis who were nearby aboard the vessel "Pelagic 1". Upon arriving at the kill, the boat carefully approached the dead seal where Davis took this photo. By using the kill site as a natural "bait station", the crew of the Pelagic 1 succeeded in attaching 3 sharks with transmitters in under an hour. Extreme caution and reverance should be excercised when approaching any large feeding predator. White sharks are a protected species in California and only researchers with proper state and federal permits are allowed to pursue or disturb white sharks in any way, for obvious reasons. Sccot Davis/PSRF Oct 1997.	89K Copyright PSRF
A stricken elephant seal struggles at the surface as a large shark bites it below the turbulent surface. Oct 1995. Dave Casper/PSRF	13K Copyright PSRF
A white shark surfaces in a pool of blood as it feeds on a hemorrhaging elephant seal at Ano Nuevo State Park. On the left of the sharks departing dorsal fin a yellow Dept of Fish and Game tag can be seen.	190K Copyright PSRF
The aftermath of a recent white shark kill (elephant seal).	176K Copyright PSRF
In this shot a large female white shark surfaces and vigorously gorges itself on the carcass of a sub adult male northern elephant seal. Oct 31, 1995. Dave Casper/PSRF	12K Copyright PSRF
An immense 4-5000 lb female white shark approaches the remnents of a 500 lb elephant seal during a predatory event in late October 1997. The shot was snapped by PSRF staff photographer Callaghan Fritz-Cope as he leaned over board as the shark approached. Fritz-Cope/PSRF Oct 1997.	75K Copyright PSRF
A heavily battle scarred white shark cruises within range of Fritz-Cope's SLR. Late Oct 1997. Fritz-Cope/PSRF	78K Copyright PSRF
In this shot we can view a robust adult female with what appears to be a shark induced scar on its gill vents. This type of scarring is almost certainly related to mating behavior. While the scars did not appear to be fresh and were well healed, they probably were not much more than several months old. Fritz-Cope/PSRF Oct 1997.	83K Copyright PSRF
An extremely large 19+ foot long 5000 lb feamle white shark with mating scars over the gills. The scars appear to be healing over only some weeks or months old. It would be easy to speculate that the animal depicted is potentially gravid. There is little, to no information at all known about white shark breeding areas or pupping grounds. Fritz-Cope/PSRF Oct 1997.	293K Copyright PSRF
Approaching a feeding white shark is a potentially dangerous undertaking and should not be attempted at home. White sharks are a protected species in CA waters and it is illegal to hunt for, fish for, or otherwise pursue white sharks in the state waters of California without a CDFG research permit. If you are boating and happen to cross paths with a feeding white shark it is advisable to stay at least 100' ft away. White sharks have been known to attack small boats when provoked.	254K Copyright PSRF
A large white shark bites down on the outdrive of our research boat after encroaching on a feeding event near Ano Nuevo Island. winter 1995-96.	173K Copyright PSRF
While sportfishing for king salmon near Ano Nuevo Island in 1991 we had a white shark following the boat and biting our fish off. We lost 1 1/2 salmon to the shark, this was our allowance of salmon that the shark left us with for the day.	17K Copyright PSRF
Director Sean Van Sommeran pats one of the five sharks that he tagged with transmitters during the course of the 1997-98 study season. Scott Davis, Callaghan Firtz-Cope, Casper and Van Sommeran also tagged an number of other sharks with number coded Floy tags during the same period. Fritz-Cope/PSRF Oct 1997.	15K Copyright PSRF
White Shark, Ano Nuevo Island, Winter 96/97	15K Copyright PSRF