Dr. Craig O’Connell is the founder and executive director of O’Seas Conservation Foundation, Inc based in Montauk, along side his wife, Dr. Nicole O’Connell.  The nonprofit foundation focuses on researching different species of sharks through camera studies, bycatch reduction technologies, and underwater video surveillance. O’Seas Conservation Foundation also runs a program called “Shark Camp” which educates and inspires High School students to learn many of the basics of what a Marine Biologist does. Beyond O’Seas, Dr. O’Connell is a nature presenter for Discovery Channel’s Shark Week and an adjunct professor at UMass Dartmouth.  He’s also a published author and has won numerous awards for his photography. 

I had the privilege of interviewing Dr. O’Connell to get his insight on the upcoming 2021 Shark research in the New York Bight along with finding out more about his O’Seas Conservation Foundation. It went as follows:

Marc: I remember reading your interview with Newsday last summer that you observed many young Whites in the New York Bight.  Can you explain if there is a difference between White Sharks and Great White Sharks?

Craig: White sharks and great white sharks are the same thing.  The media likes to refer to them as great white sharks, but the true common name here in the USA and other locations is ‘white shark’.  

Marc: Please elaborate on how the Bight might become a new breeding ground for the  White Sharks.  

Craig: There is a big difference between breeding grounds and nursery grounds.  The New York Bight is a white shark nursery ground.  This was discovered by scientists many years ago; however, our team is working to learn more about this nursery ground so we can find ways to better protect the area and the sharks. Now, the breeding ground – that is another exciting thing that many scientists all around the world are trying to locate.  Where are these white sharks breeding?  There are two known accounts of fishermen observing white sharks breeding; however, there are no photos and videos from these observations.  Therefore, many are still on a quest to film the behavior and learn more about the process.  Does the entire North Atlantic white shark population breed in the same location, I really don’t know but would hypothesize that it happens over a very broad area, which is why it is so difficult to observe.

Marc: Why do the older Whites still migrate north while leaving their young behind in the Bight if there is an ample food source for them in the Bight?

Craig: Good question.  There is ample food for the young-of-the-year (cool term for white shark pups that are less than a year old) and juvenile white sharks, including small fish (mackerel and menhaden), skates, rays, and smaller sharks.  However, as sharks age their diet changes (this is called an ontogenetic shift in diet) and they begin to prefer larger and more energetically beneficial food items, such as marine mammals.  When the white shark pups arrive in Montauk, the adults are making their way north (e.g. Cape Cod) to feed on seals (and other prey species).

Marc: What projects will the O’Seas Shark Camp enthusiasts be working on this year?  

Craig: We are actively conducting a variety of projects at O’Seas.  Projects include bycatch reduction technologies (e.g. technologies that aim to reduce unwanted catch from commercial fishing gears), camera surveys to study shark species diversity with baited remote underwater video systems (aka BRUVS), acoustic tagging research that aims to learn about the long-term movements of a variety of shark species that call Montauk their seasonal home, and FinCam technology research (cameras that we temporarily place on sharks so we can learn about their movements, habitat preferences, and feeding behavior).  

Marc: Do they get involved in tagging and data collection?   

Craig: Yes.  Our non-profit strives to educate and inspire the next generation of scientists, conservationists, and biologists.  Therefore, we feel that the best way to do this is to get them directly involved in our research efforts.  In fact, we run a week-long program throughout the summer known as ‘Shark Camp’.  During this week, 9th-12th grade youth from all over the world take part in our work and learn many of basics of what a Marine Biologist does.  They participate in activities from boat driving to tagging baby white sharks – so it truly is a one-of-a-kind experience.  Nothing quite compares to when one of our students sees a large shark for the very first time – their face lights up and you immediately know they are “hooked.”  It is our goal to ensure they have the best experience possible and thus far, our program has been such a huge success and we are grateful to all the support we have received thus far. 

Marc: Does the foundation recruit middle or high school age students from New York City for O’Seas’ youth education programs? 

Craig: Yes, we try to recruit high school students from all over the world.  In fact, we have had students from Singapore, Indonesia, Costa Rica, Canada, and from all over the USA.  Our original goal for O’Seas was to raise sufficient funds each year so that this summer ‘Shark Camp’ can be a free experience for 9th-12th grade youth.  More specifically, we hoped to raise sufficient funds to provide full-ride ‘Shark Camp’ scholarships to underprivileged children whose families may not have the necessary means to participate in these types of activities.  While we haven’t been successful in raising sufficient funds to meet this original goal of a fully funded ‘Shark Camp’ program (e.g. scholarships for all participants), there have been some truly amazing and generous families that have donated to our organization so we can provide up to 5 full-ride ‘Shark Camp’ scholarships each year for the past several years.  

If you would like to read more about ‘Shark Camp’ – please check out our website:  https://www.oseasfdn.org/shark-camp-cg0o

Should anyone be interested in helping to fund future campers and fund our research, we are actively accepting donations via email or our website:  https://www.oseasfdn.org/donate-c1f8a

Marc: Do your education programs also teach its students about ocean mammals such as the North Atlantic Right Whales that are of course critically endangered but often observed off Long Island?  I would like to learn more about the relationship between whales and sharks in the New York Bight.  

Craig: There are weeks of ‘Shark Camp’ where whales and dolphins are so numerous that no matter where we look, you will see some type of marine mammal.  Montauk is truly a special place and even though we focus our efforts on sharks, we absolutely take every opportunity given to us to learn about any types of nature we encounter while on the water.  We have never encountered a North Atlantic Right Whale, but we have encountered bottlenose dolphins, common dolphins, humpback whales, minke whales, and fin whales.   During certain weeks in the summer, the pods of Atlantic Menhaden (what is known as the fuel of the NY Bight) arrive.  This is a preferred prey source for a variety of marine mammals and sharks.  During the right time of year, we often look for the pods, keep a reasonable distance away, and watch the humpback whales feed.   It is a true treat for everyone involved.

Marc: Does one hunt the other and if so, what species?  

Craig: Based on where we are located, we won’t normally see any shark-whale predatory events; however, if we expand the term to marine mammals, it is possible that we could witness some predations between larger white sharks and dolphins or seals.  During certain times of the year, the larger white sharks pass through and they most certainly can take advantage of all the prey (harbor seals, grey seals, bottlenose dolphins) that calls Montauk home. 

Marc: It has been reported that Orcas are making their way down to Cape Cod and possibly Montauk.  As climate change continues to alter the ocean environment, do you see a possible collision between great Whites and Orcas in the North Atlantic or even the  New York Bight?  I am fascinated by the Orca hunting behavior that has been reported off California or along the coastlines of Australia and New Zealand.  

Craig: Global warming is having quite a large impact on marine and terrestrial wildlife all over the world.  However, I’m not too sure Orcas will call Montauk home any time soon.  Is it possible that they may be spotted on very rare occasions in the future, sure.

Marc: Do you also focus on other species?

Craig: While we focus some of our efforts on white sharks, we work with a variety of other shark species in the New York Bight.  More specifically, we work with blue sharks, shortfin mako sharks, dusky sharks, common thresher sharks, and sandbar sharks.  What’s important to know is that some of these sharks are experiences huge population declines, therefore, our research is becoming more and more important.  For example, the shortfin mako shark is a recreationally and commercially sought after species.  Due to this, their populations have plummeted on a global scale and this species is now considered endangered.  With continued exploitation, this species may go extinct in our lifetime.  Therefore, we must do all we can to protect this species (among many others) if we truly want a healthy ocean for many generations to come.

NYHC will follow and report the research from O’Sea’s base camp in Montauk.  No doubt the Shark Campers will have great tales to tell as they explore life in the New York Bight!  

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The most desired bait for fishermen of Long Island and New Jersey is known as bunker.  Bunker is a colloquial name for the species known as the Atlantic Menhaden.  Menhaden is a forage fish that is essential for the ocean food web.  Unfortunately for them, every larger fish and mammal swimming in the New York Bight (the sea east and south of New York Harbor) thrive on Menhaden.  Local fishermen are disturbed to hear that bunker numbers in the Bight diminish because of industrialized fishery as it has a direct correlation on the number of larger game fish populating their favorite fishing spots.  Earlier this decade, the decline was especially traumatic.

However, with warmer waters over the past five years, there has been an uptick in the menhaden population.  As climate change has moved Caribbean and Gulf water species northward, the entire ecosystem has also shifted in this northerly direction up the U.S. coastline.  Most significantly, lobsters off New England have moved into Canadian waters to find the cooler temperatures on the ocean floor.  Recently, warm-water sharks typically abundant off of Florida and the Carolina’s are now visiting Long Island.  Of course, another contributing factor is that the sharks may be following the greater numbers of menhaden migrating up to New York and New England.

As a result, Americans are getting their lobsters from Canada, tuna fishing boats coming out of Montauk are filled to capacity, and the incidence of shark sightings are breaking records along Long Island beaches.

WHALES LOVE MENHADEN

The whale population in the New York Bight has also been on the increase.  More humpbacks are regularly feeding on menhaden.  The presence of whales outside of New York City is now commonplace and it is no longer seasonal.  Monitoring devices such as the Melville buoy built by the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute identify humpbacks, sei, fin, and right whales throughout the year.

Finally, just three weeks ago, the American Princess whale watching tour was permitted to re-open as Covid-19 restrictions were lifted.  Gotham Whale is a not for profit organization that routinely accompanies the American Princess into the New York Bight to catalog all ocean mammals.  Their naturalists are happy to report many sightings so far this year.

THE MENHADEN SLAUGHTER IN THE NEW YORK BIGHT

But there is a war taking place in the waters along the United States East coast.  For most of us living in the metropolitan area, we know little about it.  The Atlantic Menhaden has been a staple bounty for one specific company whose trawlers come out of Virginia to cast their nets into the New York Bight.  The Omega Protein Company, part of a conglomerate owned by Cooke, a Canadian firm, is responsible for removing millions of menhaden from our waters every year.  Menhaden is targeted as it accounts for the greatest source of omega fish oil, livestock feed, and other desirable consumer goods. The main use is for feed for Cooke’s fish farms around the world.

When New York Harbor Channel first interviewed Paul Sieswerda of Gotham Whale three years ago, we learned of his organization’s effort to not only catalog ocean mammals, but reduce the menhaden fishing quota presently allowed by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission.  Like all commercial operations that rely on government regulations, the Menhaden Fisheries Coalition has at least two dozen large ocean fishing companies within its ranks.  This organization has traditionally lobbied and influenced the governing body to allow an excessive slaughter of menhaden.

GOTHAM WHALE PETITION TO STOP THE OMEGA FLEET

For casual fishing enthusiasts, divers, boaters, and admirers of the sea, it is important to get involved to protect your environment.  Establishing a manageable program for forage species of fish is essential.  You can sign any number of petitions that have been circulated to help maintain a healthy menhaden population in the New York Bight to allow the ecosystem to thrive.  Gotham Whale is dedicated to the sea life that calls the New York Bight home.  Here is the link for Gotham Whale’s petition to stop the Omega Fleet from over-fishing our waters.

Gotham Whale is aligned with other ecological preservation groups to prevent the collapse of the species in northern waters such as the Menhaden Defenders.  The national organization called the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership (TRCP) is also concerned with saving the menhaden, with greater emphasis this year in the waters outside the Chesapeake Bay where the fight for menhaden is just as important.  TRCP lobbies to influence reduced caps and put in place Ecological Management that will consider the impact on other species by fisheries managers.

These alliances will hopefully bring greater weight to the fight within this decade.  In doing so, ocean mammals will no doubt flourish in New York waters and more of us will be able to share their magnificence just outside of New York Harbor.  The ask of Gotham Whale is to establish a prohibition of industrialized fishing for menhaden within twenty miles from New York Harbor, an area where we know whales feed.  A small step to keep a healthy ecosystem in the New York Bight.

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NYHC was monitoring ship traffic between Norfolk, Virginia and the New York Harbor as the USNS Comfort was making its way north.  We noticed an exorbitant number of ships in the 300 mile region.   Originally, we were entertained by the various support vessels that accompanied the hospital ship as it passed under the Verrazzano Bridge.  The colorful McAllister tugs, N.Y.P.D. Police boats, Welcome craft and Media boats were ever-present.  New Yorkers were in a celebratory mood with its’ arrival.

The U.S. Coast Guard Command Station, that regulates the flow of traffic into and out of the port of New York and New Jersey, establishes mandatory speed restrictions when whales frequent shipping lanes.  All members of the Sandy Hook Pilots Association adhere to the law.   However, on Monday morning, many additional craft filled the approach to welcome, support, and gawk at USNS Comfort.  The day was uplifting as the arrival of the Hospital ship painted a bright spot to the metropolitan New York area.  New York Harbor Channel was also caught up in the celebration as we feverishly produced articles and interviews of the event.  The hospital ship arrival was the news of the day.   USNS Comfort’s slow procession and arrival went flawlessly without a hitch.

New York Harbor Channel also regularly monitors the ocean mammal readings generated by the Melville Buoy that detects the presence of whales in the New York Bight.  Sadly, in the midst of an uplifting moment of hope for New York City, NYHC learned of the news of the beached whale just the next day.

The buoy readings are continuously monitored, recorded, and displayed through resources at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute.  Without notice or alarm, the Melville Buoy detected no whale activity in the New York Bight.  Notice the void on March 30th here on this chart.

No one reacted.  There is no way of knowing when a ship strike occurs especially if the captain does not report it and/or if the whale is not tagged.  The U.S.C.G. reported spotting the whale floating nine miles off shore Monday night.  A New York State Environmental Conservation police officer found himself at the Far Rockaway Jacob Riis State Park beach on Tuesday morning, March 31st.  The call was for a beached whale.

NYHC spoke to Rachel Bosworth of Atlantic Marine Conservation Society (AMCS) of Hampton Bays, N.Y. by phone yesterday.  AMCS is the local whale response organization and has been involved with dozens of whale standings or deaths along the south coast of Long Island from Montauk to the New York Bight.  Normally, they help coordinate extensive investigations in these matters; however, due to the Covid-19 pandemic and New York State’s ‘stay at home” policy, the usual necropsy and investigation has been scratched for this incident.   The 2-5 year old, 28 foot Humpback whale quickly buried yesterday.

Although it cannot be officially stated or confirmed, once again, this whale death is suspected to be a result of a vessel strike.  Strikes are the number one cause of death along the eastern seaboard of the United States.

Paul Sieswerda’s organization, Gotham Whale, catalogs the whales who frequent the New York Bight.    On happier days, Paul’s associates are frequently out on the water on Far Rockaway’s Whale Watching boat, American Princess, identifying old friends or discovering new ones.  Today, we pause to think of the tragedy as Paul Sieswerda said, “although all of the nation is working through a pandemic, the world still turns and the perils of normal life continue for whales and we humans..”

AMCS frequently would ask one special member of the Shinnecock Nation to offer the customary Whale Memorial Ceremony.  But again, due to the Covid-19 situation, Shane Weeks was absent from today’s Far Rockaway beach burial.  If you are interested in taking a moment to hear the Indian chant for yourself in a moment of silence, you can observe it in our story that NYHC wrote less than a year ago for a beaching in the Hamptons.

There is little captains can do if they are unaware of Ship strikes; however, it is their responsibility to report such incidents so new laws and new technologies might save unsuspecting whales who get caught and confused by the noise of these ships.

Whales are returning to New York waters in ever growing numbers.  New York State Department of Environmental Conservation is also supporting efforts to ensure the health and success of its’ Rockaway Artificial Reef.  The reef’s main purpose is to repopulate this area to attract fish and crustaceans.  Ultimately, this means the return of the whale species that previously fed along the entire length of Long Island more than a century ago.

Let’s take pause to also remember the lives lost of our ocean mammal giants who are once again making New York waters their temporary home as they stop-off in the New York Bight during their north south migrations between Canada and the Caribbean.

As our unknown Humpback is now buried under the sand of Jacob Riis National Park, perhaps we might ask those in charge of data records to attach a name alongside the number.   It would be nice to give a name to this youngster who lost its life way too soon.

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