Here at Beneath the Waves we wanted to bring you the insider scoop on the superstars of Shark Week. Thus, we elicited the help of five of our most favorite sharky scientists. Today we caught up with Dr. Toby S. Daly-Engel, Assistant Professor of Biology at the University of West Florida, to tell us a bit about the shark science she is involved in, how she got where she is today, and what she thinks we can do to move shark conservation forward.
Briefly can you describe the focus of your research and the species you work on?
I’m an evolutionary biologist interested in reproductive strategies, particularly from the standpoint of female fitness. I use a combination of field ecology and genetic techniques to examine these strategies in sharks. Because a lot of animal behavior having to do with reproduction is difficult to observe directly, particularly in marine animals, I apply genetic tools to these systems to uncover behaviors that we never would have known about otherwise. I also work on general topics in shark biology and conservation.
In your opinion, how can people help save sharks?
In the long term, the best way to protect any endangered marine animal is to support policies that protect the ocean environment. In the short term, stopping shark fishing is a good way to support sharks. Sharks seem fierce, but they’re actually very delicate, and recent research has shown that if you catch a shark, even if you release it alive, it will probably die from stress. If you hook a shark, cut the line as soon as possible and let it swim away. Fighting a shark on a line for any length of time is enough to kill it.
How did you get involved in shark research and what advice would you give those interested in studying them?
I’ve been fascinated with sharks since I was a little kid. I was a biology major in college, but I didn’t start studying sharks until graduate school. The best way to get into shark research is to do work your butt off in school, get through all the boring stuff you have to learn first, and then eventually you’ll get to go out on the water and do cool things with sharks. Most people who start out wanting to be marine biologists drop out because science is hard, but if you stick with it, there are a lot of amazing research opportunities out there.
To find out more about Dr. Daly-Engel’s lab group and their research check out their website!
