Ocean Sanctuaries' (oceansanctuaries.org) goal is to attempt the identification of Sevengill sharks (Notorynchus cepedianus) that may be returning to San Diego from year-to-year, using the pattern recognition algorithm provided in 'Wildbook,' a web-based application for wildlife data management, designed by Jason Holmberg. 'Wildbook' which has been successfully used to ID Whale Sharks (Rhincodon typus) by their spotting patterns. 1, 2
Sevengill sharks (Notorynchus cepedianus), are currently listed as Data deficient (DD) on the IUCN Red List: "This assessment is based on the information published in the 2005 shark status survey (Fowler et al. 2005). 3
The genesis of this project was the *apparent* increase of encounters and sightings reported by divers with this species in the San Diego area, from 2009 to the present, to provide a long-term population dynamics study to examine the possible reason for this, as well as to provide a baseline study for future researchers.
For specifics on our methodology, please see here: sevengillsharksightings.org/our-methodology-introduction/
1. whaleshark.org/
2. wildme.org/wildbook/doku.php
3. marinebio.org/species.asp?id=1521
