Mote Marine Laboratory scientists are featured on “Tiburones: The Sharks of Cuba” on Discovery Channel.
The special debuted July 7 as a part of Discovery Channel’s annual Shark Week.
On the trip to Cuba, Dr. Robert Hueter and Dr. Kim Ritchie, scientists from Mote, worked with Cuban scientists from the University of Havana and Cuba’s Center for Coastal Ecosystems Research, among others, to satellite tag a shark and help rebuild coral reefs.
The expedition was the culmination of five years of work between U.S. and Cuban scientists to satellite tag a shark in Cuban waters. Scientists were successful in placing a satellite tracker on a shark’s dorsal fin, which has been transmitting information for five months.
Scientists also completed the first coral graft on a Cuban reef.
On its debut, “Tiburones: Sharks of Cuba” tied with “Bride of Jaws” to take the top spot for highest-rated cable television show for the night, with more than 1.5 million viewers, according to Nielsen ratings.
— Kristin Swain