Dr Peter Gausmann

When we first started exploring Andros, we had hopes that we would see Hammerheads during the winter months, which we did! As we continued to go back, we started to see them throughout the entire year which was something we were not expecting! Since those early days we have been SPOT tagging these Hammerheads to see where they go. Our hope is to understand how these sharks are using Andros Island. Some have shown to stay all year round while others migrated to other Bahamas islands or up to the States. We have even been able to recapture some of these sharks years later! 〰〰〰 📸: @gbrllozada #shark #sharks #sharktagging #sharkresearch #savesharks #hammerhead #hammerheadshark #lovesharks #marinebiology #saltlife #sealife #ocean

Estimated between 4.5-5 meters this is by far the largest hammerhead we have ever caught, it is also highly likely a world record! 🤯   During summer 2024 our team were conducting our usual research when one of our lines was struck so hard it started to move the weight. Our team rushed over to find this GIGANTIC great hammerhead.   On arrival, the shark was moving differently, she was foul hooked and the team were unable to direct her in order to secure her for measuring and tagging. This hammerheads age and experience likely informed her the free food wasn’t quite worth the risk and so she spat the hook soon after taking it which resulted in it catching in her side. We use circle hooks which is likely why this happened. Although J hooks catch more animals, they cause more injuries such as gut hooking. Circle hooks typically reduce catch rates, but promote animal safety and wellbeing. We STRONGLY encourage all fishers to only use circle hooks!   After 10 minutes it was clear we were not going to secure her fast enough; she was ~1500 lbs and with the team unable to control her head the shark was able to put her entire weight on them. The decision was made to cut the line and set her free rather than persevering and risking her life - hammerheads suffer post release mortality e.g. death on release after long fights. We have preached for years that animal safety will ALWAYS be our priority and so cutting the line to ensure she lived rather than fighting her to confirm a measurement was an easy decision. We know our hooks rust out over time, however given the placement we believe this will fall out far sooner.   This shark is estimated between 4.5-5 meters based on reviewing extensive imagery putting her at approximately 50 years of age. Andros continues to surprise and impress us and is home to so many incredibly rare animals including sawfish, and hammerheads of this size. We have now seen and caught multiple 4 meter hammerheads which indicates Andros is probably a mating, or even pupping ground. We must continue to conduct research here to reveal more of the islands secrets. We have lots more work to do!   Thank you to all who support our work, we couldn’t make these discoveries without you!   📸: @annieguttridge   #greathammerhead #hammerhead #savingtheblue #sharkresearch