Sharks tagged to improve hurricane predictions
Analysis based on 22 articles · First reported Aug 08, 2026 · Last updated Aug 11, 2026
The research could improve hurricane forecasting, potentially reducing economic losses from storm damage along the U.S. East Coast. While not directly impacting markets, better predictions may benefit insurance, emergency management, and coastal industries.
Researchers at the University of Delaware are testing whether sharks can serve as mobile ocean-data observers to improve hurricane intensity predictions. They attach CTD tags to sharks' dorsal fins to measure ocean temperature, salinity, and depth as the sharks swim and dive. The data, transmitted to satellites when sharks surface, focuses on the ocean's mixed layer heat content, which drives hurricane intensity. The team targets species like shortfin mako, blue, smooth hammerhead, and juvenile great white sharks in the Atlantic Ocean. Tagging occurs from May onward, with researchers going 30-40 miles offshore. The project aims to provide better forecasts for coastal communities from North Carolina to Massachusetts, enhancing resilience to stronger storms.
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