The Florida Program for Shark Research (FPSR) is involved in many areas of shark research, including shark biology, ecology, and behavior. In addition, the FPSR monitors shark attacks through the International Shark Attack File and promotes shark conservation and educational outreach through such programs as Project Shark Awareness.

The National Shark Research Consortium (NSRC) is a cooperative initiative involving four leading shark research organizations, the Florida Museum of Natural History (FLMNH), Moss Landing Marine Laboratories(MLML), Mote Marine Laboratory (MML), and Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS). Ongoing independent and cooperative research projects gather data on the biology, ecology, and behavior of elasmobranchs needed for enlightened fishery management.

The American Elasmobranch Society (AES) is a professional scientific society of international researchers studying sharks, skates, rays, chimaeras and their near-relatives. AES publishes the American Elasmobranch Society Quarterly Newsletter and actively promotes the conservation and enlightened fishery management of elasmobranchs.

The IUCN Shark Specialist Group (IUCN/SSG) is composed of biologists and conservation experts which promote action to arrest the loss of the world's biological diversity and to restore threatened species to safe and productive population levels. If you're interested in sharks, the Shark News newsletters are must sees for many expert articles on sharks and shark conservation.

The International Shark Attack File (ISAF) is a compilation of all known shark attacks that is administered by the American Elasmobranch Society and the Florida Museum of Natural History. More than 4,000 individual investigations are currently housed in the File, covering the period from the mid-1500's to present.

The Sawfish Recovery Team (SRT) seeks to promote the conservation of threatened sawfish populations around the world. Very little is known about this unique type of ray which used to be very abundant in the tropics. Smalltooth sawfish (Pristis pectinata) have recently been listed for protection under the U.S. Endangered Species Act.

In our Image Gallery you'll find a wide variety of shark species photographed by world renowned underwater photographers. The Gallery also contains the work of several skilled scientific illustrators.

Left: Pelagic thresher shark (Alopias pelagicus) by Doug Perrine ©

The white shark is the largest predatory shark. It is also the most recognized, feared and admired of the sharks.

Although the whale shark is the largest living fish, it feeds on some of the smallest animals in the oceans. It has recently been listed as a protected species by CITES.

Megamouth Sharks are elusive and fascinating. There have been more than 35 confirmed sightings of the Megamouth Shark (Megachasma pelagios), and very little is known about this creature.

The basking shark's common name comes from its habit of 'sunning' itself at the surface. It has recently been listed as a protected species by CITES.

The mako shark is a true pelagic species, and is found in tropical and temperate waters throughout the world's oceans.

Spiny dogfish are an important commercial foodfish. Because they are slow to mature and produce few young, this species is extremely vulnerable to overfishing and are currently on the brink of collapse. Learn more about this shark and the conservation efforts to save it.

The biological profile section of our page contains species profiles on fishes in our image gallery. New species are being added, so check back often.

The education section of our page is geared toward middle school ages and up. There is something here for the everyone from the novice to the advanced.

Project Shark Awareness is an innovative outreach program created to educate the public about the myths and realities of shark biology, behavior, and conservation.

Here you will find news, dates and registration information for upcoming meetings and conferences on fishes and sharks.

Listed here is an archive of fish stories that made the news. Many of the news articles, in both catagories, deal with conservation, management, and environmental issues. New articles are constantly added, so check here often.

Here you will find fun-filled educational games and puzzles designed to teach you all about sharks and their ecology.

Acknowledgements for the funding that makes the Shark research in the Ichthyology Department possible.

For more information on sharks we've posted several composite reference lists. You can also search for our Chondrichthyes Bibliography for thousands of article citations on sharks and their relatives.

Other informative and interesting sites dealing with ichthyology and sharks.

Click here for a detailed look at all the pages we have on sharks!