National Shark Research Consortium
Shark Research Program - Virginia Institute of Marine Science
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Chartered in 1940, the Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS) is one of five graduate schools
of the College of William and Mary. Located in Gloucester Point, Virginia, near the shores of
Chesapeake Bay, the VIMS tripartite mission is to provide research, education, and advisory service
in marine science as mandated in the Codes of Virginia. The VIMS Shark Research Program, headed by
John A. Musick, has been monitoring shark populations in the Chesapeake Bight
using standardized fishery independent longline surveys since 1973. This long-term data set may
represent the longest running fishery independent shark monitoring program in the world.
In addition, the scientists and students of the VIMS program continue to provide detailed analyses
of habitat utilization, age, growth, reproduction, trophic dynamics, and demographics of dominant species. The primary objectives and public service of projects conducted by VIMS' Shark Research Program include:
- Studies on the relative abundance and distribution of sharks.
- Studies on the age, growth, and demographics of sharks.
- Studies on habitat utilization and migration.
- Shark trophic studies.
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