2007/08 SATELLITE TAGGING TIGER SHARKS AT RAINE ISLAND
 

SPONSORS

• Australian Geographic
• Eric Sollelis
• Bruce Paterson
• Discovery Channel
• Undersea Explorer

EQUIPMENT SPONSORS

• MAKO Sunglasses
• TUSA dive equipment
  
• Gemini Inflatables
  
• Simrad – Marine VHF Radios
  
• Magellan eXplorist 100 Handheld GPS
  
• Jarvis Marine – Electric Motor
  
• Mitsubishi – vehicles
  
• Lowrance – Hand Held GPS
  
• AVID Australia – Video Editing Software

RAINEBOW Part 2 Tagged 26.11.07
368cm female

Rainebow was the first tiger shark to be fitted out with a SPLASH tag which allows data on diving profiles to be collected as well as position data. She was recaptured using the shark claw at exactly the same location exactly one year apart. This makes Rainebow the second shark after Adam to be confirmed to be returning to Raine Island in consecutive years.  There where two other tiger sharks present around the bait but by using the shark claw it enabled Richard to capture the specific shark. Tag sponsor Bruce Paterson was present with Richard during the capture and tagging process. Bruce had previously sponsored Broobry. Rainebow had grown a massive 48 cm in the year between tags.

JR Tagged 10.12.07
292cm male

JR was named after Australian Dive legend John Rumney (Eye to Eye Marine Encounters) who first took Richard to Raine Island over ten years ago. John was also an important member of this years’ Expedition Shark as the stills photographer. From the first time the crew saw this shark, they knew he was going to be trouble. JR surprised us all after he was caught using the shark claw by dragging down a large fender buoy deep underwater for over 2 minutes – this was a massive effort as it takes a couple of hundred kilograms to hold one down. Once JR was secured behind the Floreat, the research vessel for the Raine Island leg of the expedition, he wasn’t happy with anyone approaching closely to him for filming and would often try and bite the cameras. When it was time for release JR didn’t need the usual swimming guidance from Richard for the first minute – instead he powered off faster than any previously tagged shark.

KO (Knock Out) Tagged 13.12.07
301cm female

KO was given her name after she knocked out principle researcher Richard Fitzpatrick. During capture using the ‘shark claw’ she flicked her tail extremely hard driving the shark claw pole up through Richard’s Mako sunglasses and into his eye socket – knocking him off his feet and leaving him dazed on the floor of the inflatable. Luckily there were no lasting problems. KO was then tagged and released without future incident

KARI Tagged 16.12.07
296 cm female

Kari is named after the mother of one of our sponsors Eric Sollelis. Kari was the last tiger tagged at Raine Island where everything went by the book. As she approached the bait box we motored out to her using the electric motor. As we approached she swam towards our inflatable and she was caught using the claw on the first go. She never put up any stuggle during the tagging process and was released without any incident – she was the perfect shark.