Issue link: https://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/401545
S P O R T I N G C L A S S I C S 8 8 Ocearch research team recently tagged her with a satellite transmitter in Cape Cod." Bob briefly explained that Ocearch (pronounced o-search) is a non-profit organization that captures, tags, and releases great whites and publishes real-time migration data on its website. He closed the photo to show a map of our East Coast. "Take a look at where she's been." A bright orange line marked Mary Lee's path that ran southward from Cape Cod, hugged the coast of South Carolina, then passed within mere miles of our artificial reefs near Charleston before continuing on to Florida. As part of my thesis on fish communities on offshore reefs, I had planned to dive on those exact sites near Charleston the next morning, and according to the map, she had recently reversed direction to head north again from Florida. Given her current location and rate of travel, she could be prowling around our dive sites by the time we hit the water. So of course I asked the obvious question: "Would I automatically pass my thesis defense if I included video of a great white shark?" I was both disappointed and relieved that we didn't encounter cientists tag great white sharks in order to attain data on migrations and nursery habitats – information that will enable marine biologists to gain a better understanding of these fascinating predators. S the fair lady herself, but most people would, understandably, have some misgivings about diving in Mary Lee's chomping grounds. They think about sharks and automatically hear the telltale cliché music while the dorsal fin rises menacingly out of the water. In reality, great white sharks have far better things to do than prey on innocent swimmers. But despite our decades-long fascination, we're only just starting to understand them as a species and as a source of recreation. W hen it comes to bad press and movie dramatizations of sharks, most people immediately think of great whites. With eyes that are black pinpricks against pale gray and white bodies and fearsome jaws frozen in a toothy half-smile, it's no wonder that people look upon these huge predators with trepidation and respect. They have been sensationalized in television documentaries, inspired awe and terror with their sheer power, and