Location: Northeast Pacific Ocean, Coastal California and north
Description: The purpose of this project is to document observations of hammerhead sharks occurring apparently north of their normal range in the Northeast Pacific Ocean.
Background: This project emerged from observations submitted to Fieldscope, a shark reporting system of Ocean Sanctuaries. Between 2014 and 2016, smooth hammerhead sharks (Sphyrna zygaena) were observed and documented off the coast of San Diego by SD Expeditions and photographs entered into a database used by Ocean Sanctuaries, called 'Fieldscope.' Unusually warm water conditions off the coast of California, referred to as the 'warm blob' temperature anomaly, may explain the increased abundances of more tropical species such as smooth hammerhead sharks.
Funding: Open invitation
Partners: Pending
Observing Guidance: [to be added by Michael]
Video:
Source Data: Contributed observations and measurements.
Outputs: LEO database, publications by collaborators, and other outreach.
Project Updates: From Ocean Sanctuaries
Resources:
Hammerhead shark on Wikipedia
References:
Compagno, L.J.V. (1984). Sharks of the World: An Annotated and Illustrated Catalogue of Shark Species Known to Date. Rome: Food and Agricultural Organization. pp. 553–554. ISBN 92-5-101384-5.
Ebert, D.A. (2003). Sharks, Rays, and Chimaeras of California. University of California Press. pp. 178–179. ISBN 0-520-23484-7.
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Observations From Members 