With my project, my goal is to determine whether or not age and growth rates can be determined in the species C. nigrum using dorsal fin spines and vertebrae. Counts of growth bands, if visible, will then be made in both dorsal fin spines and vertebrae and compared with weight and length measurements in order to construct growth curves. Age and growth rate studies such as this one are important to understanding life history in addition to providing information for the betterment of fisheries management. My samples will be shipped to me in Alaska from Moss Landing, California after which they will be processed and analyzed.

 

 

 

 

 

Cameron Provost: I am a senior marine biology student at Alaska Pacific University. All my life I have been interested in marine life, sharks in particular. When the opportunity to work with the deepwater shark C. nigrum arose, I jumped at it. Many species of sharks, like C. nigrum, are poorly understood. My goal is to contribute to the understanding and protection of sharks.