Scientists are tracking two great white sharks off the coast of Georgia and South Carolina as part of an effort to learn more about their migration patterns and raise awareness of the species.
According to researchers with Ocearch, Genie, a 14-foot, nearly 2,300-pound shark, and Mary Lee, a 16-foot, nearly 3,500-pound shark, were both tagged with a satellite tracking device in September.
Ocearch is a nonprofit research organization named for a combination of "ocean" and "research." It is funded by sponsors and donors, and a South Africa expedition was the subject of History channel's "Shark Wranglers."
Every time the fin breaks the surface, a signal is transmitted to a satellite which shows the sharks location.
The creator of Ocearch tracking, Chris Fischer, says for the first time in history, we are solving a 400 million year old secret.
Ocearch is also taking cultures from the bacteria of the shark's teeth when they tag them.
This bacteria is what causes infections in the limbs of people they bite, which could lead to the loss of the limb.
By studying the bacteria, they hope to come up with an antibiotic to counter the infection.
For NewsChannel 15's full interview with Chris Fischer, click here.
Click here to track Mary Lee's progress
The Associated Press contributed to this report
