Thursday July 25, 2024
NOAA Fisheries —
In a new project, scientists hope to learn more about age determination and maximum lifespan of Pacific sleeper sharks. Scientists are examining the nuclear core and outer eye lens layers of this species to estimate plausible age ranges. Results of this study may offer valuable information to add to the assessment of the stock populations in Alaska, including estimating natural mortality rates.
The North Pacific Research Board is supporting this project led by Cindy Tribuzio and Beth Matta from the Alaska Fisheries Science Center to investigate ages of Pacific sleeper sharks. They’re teaming up with scientists from Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, American River College, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute, and others that use radiocarbon dating techniques for shark species.
“The project’s goal is to explore the alternative age determination methods for this species,” said Cindy Tribuzio, study lead investigator. “We will be using the nuclear core and layers of the eye lenses to estimate the year they are formed based on isotope levels in the core or layers.”