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Shark Week is right here and — greater than ever — so is Montauk-based Dr. Craig O’Connell, the Discovery channel’s go-to shark knowledgeable who stars in seven applications this 12 months (together with “Return to Lair of the Nice White” at 10 p.m. Wednesday).
O’Connell — who, alongside along with his spouse, Dr. Nicole O’Connell, a pediatrician, is co-founder of Montauk’s O’Seas Conservation Basis — has a core objective in life and on tv: To save lots of sharks. That objective was sophisticated this previous 12 months when he contracted COVID-19 in an space hospital when his son, Grady, was born. Debilitating “lengthy haul” signs sidelined him proper up till the week manufacturing started.
We not too long ago spoke from Level Lookout about his favourite topic:
What brings you to Level Lookout?
That is the place we began the nonprofit [educational] basis. I did my Ph.D. at UMass-Dartmouth, and wished to see if there have been sharks in my very own yard — gone fishing my total life off Lengthy Island — and in addition wished to see if the methods I might developed [in graduate school] labored right here. Actually my first season out of Level Lookout I caught a nine-foot Nice White. That was the beginning of our nonprofit.
You are unusually busy this “Shark Week.” So COVID didn’t gradual you down?
I received COVID again in April [2020] proper across the time when Shark Week made me a part of the official expertise. I used to be tremendous sick and informed my spouse this may be dangerous timing. There was a degree the place I used to be laying on the ground of the bathe as a result of I could not breathe. Then, I received over the hump and have become a ‘lengthy hauler,’ with again ache and fatigue. As quickly as [production] began although, the signs went away and I received the seven episodes performed. I am particularly happy with ‘Ninja Sharks’ [Friday at 8 p.m.] a part of which was filmed in Montauk in June of final 12 months.”
There have been few shark sightings round native waters this summer season in comparison with final 12 months. What is going on on?
It is beginning now. Waters are beginning to heat and a considerable amount of bait [fish] is beginning to come by means of the New York bight, from Level Lookout to Montauk. You’ll begin to see bigger sharks [while] a child white was caught off Fireplace Island not too long ago, and three whites had been noticed off Montauk Level. What’s completely different from final 12 months is that the waters are beginning to heat a bit greater than regular due to world warming.
What sharks are doing poorly in Lengthy Island waters?
The short-fin mako. Their populations are plummeting and it is a world risk. They’re now thought-about endangered however sadly individuals can nonetheless go on the market and kill them which to my thoughts is like killing a Bengal tiger. It is one of the vital iconic sharks we have now right here and one of many quickest [fish] within the ocean. However they’re nonetheless caught in Lengthy Island catch-and-kill tournaments. I feel they need to be modified to catch-and-release and perhaps some day sooner or later they are going to be.
Considered one of your episodes [“Rogue Tiger Shark: The Hunt For Lagertha,” Discovery+, Saturday] is in regards to the seek for a killer tiger shark off an island close to Costa Rica. Any probability of a “Lagertha” right here?
I’ve seen tigers pushing 14 ft within the Hudson Canyon however no stories of them coming nearer to shore, aside from pups. The prospect of getting bit by a shark is super-rare [anyway]. You usually tend to get killed by a merchandising machine. I do not need individuals to worry going into the water. We’re not on the shark’s menu.
The so-called “Ninja” seems to be a thresher — with extraordinarily lengthy tails. You had been shocked to seek out them off Lengthy Island?
The one cause I did was as a result of fishermen informed me. For years I’ve wished to see them off Lengthy Island, however at all times known as them a ghost shark as a result of I did not assume they had been right here, however on this one explicit reef [off Montauk] they’re all over the place. They’ve proven up on the identical day for the previous 4 years. My objective was to seek out out why.
Spoiler alert: For meals! Yeah, these huge faculties of menhaden [that turn up] when the temperature is good.
A few of your episodes — notably final Sunday’s with the forged of “Jackass” — would appear to detract out of your scholarship. Do you agree?
I prefer to have enjoyable and people episodes serve a function by educating the followers of these celebrities. You are taking them out and so they begin to love sharks too — then share that have with their fan base … Sharing your data is available in completely different kinds.
As a distinguished shark ambassador, are you optimistic or pessimistic in regards to the future?
A bit of each. These shark tournaments are leading to main mortalities [but] I like to point out [my students] them to allow them to see individuals hold up these trophies with their mouths open. They do not like what they see. I am optimistic as a result of individuals are starting to care about sharks and find out about their significance.
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