- Partnership continues important research, rescue, education,
and policy efforts for keystone marine species including
sharks.
- SeaWorld continues to support OCEARCH-led research
expeditions; SeaWorld scientists join the team aboard research
vessels to advance the study of key species
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ORLANDO, Fla., Aug. 11, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- In a continuing
effort to support the conservation of marine life through research,
SeaWorld and OCEARCH have renewed their multi-year partnership to
gather critical scientific data in the study of keystone marine
species in the wild. The partnership is focused in the areas
of rescue, research, education, and policy to advance understanding
and help ensure healthy and abundant populations.
- Research – SeaWorld and OCEARCH share research on tagged
animals to make that knowledge widely available and utilize this
science to protect and preserve marine animals.
- Rescue – SeaWorld has rescued more than 40,000 animals and the
knowledge gained from their rescue and rehabilitation has added
vital knowledge to the conservation of their counterparts in the
wild. Some of the animals rehabilitated and returned to the
wild by SeaWorld are also tracked on OCEARCH's Global Shark
Tracker, providing valuable, open-sourced data to the public.
- Policy – Both organizations will continue their work to utilize
the open-sourced data from sampled and tagged marine animals to
advocate for the protection of marine life.
OCEARCH Founder and Expedition Leader Chris Fischer said, "Our partnership with
SeaWorld has been an important part of making our research
possible. They've helped us build out and broaden our science
disciplines to maximize the amount of knowledge and data we collect
from every animal we sample and release. Their expertise in
reproductive biology is leading the way in understanding how white
sharks mate, reproduce, and give birth. We look forward to
continuing to partner with them for many years to maximize the rate
at which we can collect data to return our oceans to balance and
abundance."
OCEARCH's popular Global Shark Tracker houses data on rescued,
rehabilitated and returned marine animals. It offers both the
scientific community and the public the ability to learn more about
threatened and endangered species as they are given a second chance
at life. Data on three of SeaWorld's rescued and returned animals –
Gale, a pilot whale, TJ, a dolphin, and Iris, a harbor seal – can
now be found at OCEARCH.org.
"Since the beginning of our partnership with OCEARCH, we've been
proud to collaborate on the conservation research work done by this
community of scientists, all with the common goal of securing a
positive future for sharks," said Dr. Chris
Dold, Chief Zoological Officer at SeaWorld Parks &
Entertainment.
Scientific Study at Sea
Scientific study is conducted aboard a 126-foot research vessel
M/V OCEARCH. It serves as a floating science lab and set out on its
first expedition when the partnership formed in 2018.
In 2019, SeaWorld Veterinarian and Reproductive Physiologist Dr.
Gisele Montano first joined OCEARCH
during Expedition NASFA to study shark reproduction off the coast
of the Carolinas. She continues to join the research team at
sea on key missions.
"SeaWorld and OCEARCH have a great collaboration. OCEARCH allows
researchers like me, to study animals in the wild using techniques
used at our parks," said Dr. Gisele
Montano, Director of Species Sustainability at SeaWorld
Orlando. "SeaWorld and OCEARCH are working together to learn more
about white sharks, so we can help protect them and their
environment."
During the expedition, Dr. Montano's role onboard the OCEARCH
Vessel was to ultrasound all animals and collect semen from mature
male sharks. The unique aspect of OCEARCH's Expedition NASFA to the
Carolinas was to investigate the area as a possible mating ground
for white sharks. The immense movement and track data Dr. Montano
and her team received from their past tagged sharks concluded that
both males and females spend some time near the coast of South and
North Carolina during their yearly
migration up the Northwest Atlantic coast.
The OCEARCH team and SeaWorld's veterinarians, scientists and
researchers work together on these expeditions to share knowledge
and experience, which will contribute to their shared mission of
continuing to educate future generations and advocate for ocean
health and marine animal conservation efforts.
About SeaWorld Entertainment, Inc.
SeaWorld Entertainment, Inc. (NYSE: SEAS) is a leading theme
park and entertainment company providing experiences that matter,
and inspiring guests to protect animals and the wild wonders of our
world. The Company is one of the world's foremost zoological
organizations and a global leader in animal welfare, training,
husbandry and veterinary care. The Company collectively cares for
one of the largest zoological collections in the world and has
helped lead advances in the care of animals. The Company also
rescues and rehabilitates marine and terrestrial animals that are
ill, injured, orphaned or abandoned, with the goal of returning
them to the wild. The SeaWorld® rescue team has helped more than
39,000 animals in need over the last 55 years. SeaWorld
Entertainment, Inc. owns or licenses a portfolio of recognized
brands including SeaWorld, Busch Gardens®, Aquatica®, Sesame Place®
and Sea Rescue®. Over its more than 55-year history, the Company
has built a diversified portfolio of 12 destination and regional
theme parks that are grouped in key markets across the United States, many of which showcase its
one-of-a-kind zoological collection. The Company's theme parks
feature a diverse array of rides, shows and other attractions with
broad demographic appeal which deliver memorable experiences and a
strong value proposition for its guests.
About OCEARCH
OCEARCH is a global non-profit organization conducting
unprecedented research on our ocean's giants in order to help
scientists collect previously unattainable data in the ocean. Our
mission is to accelerate the ocean's return to balance and
abundance through fearless innovations in critical scientific
research, education, outreach, and policy using unique
collaborations of individuals and organizations in the U.S and
abroad. OCEARCH is recognized as a world leader in generating
scientific data related to tracking (telemetry), and biological
studies of keystone marine species such as great white sharks,
tiger sharks, and more. OCEARCH provides a free open-sourced Shark
Tracking service and app that allows scientists, educators, and
fans alike to learn about the never before documented movements of
our ocean's animals. OCEARCH's research is proudly supported by
Costa Sunglasses, SeaWorld, Yeti, Ulysse
Nardin, Blundstone, Cisco Brewers, Jefferson's Bourbon and
our educational home Jacksonville
University. Learn more at ocearch.org.
Media Contacts:
SeaWorld
Mediarelations@seaworld.com
SWO.PR@SeaWorld.com
OCEARCH
press@ocearch.org
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SOURCE SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment