Reported By: Jay Cashmere
February 21, 2007
They've made a home off our coast during the winter for the past five years. The annual collection of lemon sharks has attracted more than just divers.
The arrival of lemon sharks has reeled in divers from across the nation but one man has taken a particular interest in them. His name is Dr. Samuel Gruber and his work with these lemon sharks in our area has made a huge impact in understanding the future of this species.
It is a dive unlike any other, in search of a shark that has made its presence known off Jupiter.
Lemon sharks have attracted more than countless divers. Among those catching a closer look is University of Miami professor Dr. Samuel Gruber who has spent 4 decades studying the species. He remembers his first encounter with lemons off Jupiter in 2002.
I saw 100 in one space that was like fifty times more than my 40 years you can imagine what that meant to me."
Known as the shark doc this marine biologist has sunk his teeth into a very complex area to find out more about why this endangered species shows up year after year in our waters.
"We see pregnant females non pregnant females we see mature males in the group sometimes the group is here sometime not here."
Dr. Gruber's theory is that females come here to attract males. In order to prove his hypothesis he and teammates must insert transmitters and collect data.
"We make a slit with this scalpel stick it right into body and suture it up."
Samples are taken and identification of the lemon shark is made. It's a unique project funded by the swiss shark foundation making huge strides in knowing how our area impacts their life. And for one passionate marine biologist its the culmination of a career built around this incredible site.
"The lemon sharks are like an indicator they sit atop the food chain if they disappear the ocean is sick if they prosper the ocean is well right now they're disappearing faster than you can believe."
