Sharks as living sensors. Scientists are using them to improve hurricane predictions
When a shark becomes an oceanographic researcher
Sharks are perfectly adapted to life in the ocean. They can travel vast distances, move at various depths, and naturally navigate through areas that are difficult for conventional measuring equipment to access. Scientists from the University of Delaware in the United States decided to leverage this very fact.
A research team led by marine biologist Aaron Carlisle is testing special electronic sensors that are attached to the dorsal fins of sharks. These devices, known as CTD sensors, measure conductivity, temperature, and depth. Conductivity allows scientists to obtain information related to water salinity.
Thus, as sharks move naturally through the ocean, they collect data that would otherwise have to be obtained using ships, buoys, or other measurement systems.
And the shark's movement is one of the biggest advantages of the entire project.
Why sharks?
Scientists have previously used seals, for example, as natural "collectors" of oceanographic data. In some parts of the world, marine mammals reach areas where conventional ocean measurement is very difficult.
However, such an option is not always available in the Atlantic off the East Coast of the United States. Sharks are naturally widespread here, and some species also regularly cover significant distances.
For example, mako sharks, blue sharks, smooth hammerhead sharks, and juvenile white sharks were selected for the research. An important criterion is also that the shark comes to the surface often enough. When the sensor surfaces, it can send the collected data to scientists via a satellite network.
The shark doesn't have to do anything unusual. It simply moves through the ocean, and its sensor records the conditions it passes through.
What do sharks have to do with hurricanes?
At first glance, perhaps nothing at all. In reality, a great deal.
One of the key factors influencing the strength of hurricanes is the heat stored in the upper layers of the ocean. Warmer water can provide more energy to a hurricane and contribute to its intensification.
Scientists are therefore focusing, among other things, on the so-called mixed layer of the ocean, i.e., the upper part of the water column where temperature and other water properties mix. The amount of heat in this layer can play a significant role in how quickly a tropical storm or hurricane will intensify.
The problem is that obtaining accurate data on subsurface conditions over a large area of the ocean is not easy.
And this is where sharks come in.
Each tagged individual can create a series of measurements from different locations and depths during its movement. When the data is then sent via satellite, scientists can get a much better idea of what is actually happening in the ocean.
Shark data can complement prediction models
The prediction of where a hurricane will go has significantly improved in recent decades. However, accurately determining how strong a hurricane will be still remains a problem.
The ocean plays a crucial role in its development.
If enough high-quality measurements can be obtained from locations that are difficult to monitor using conventional methods, this data can be incorporated into oceanographic and atmospheric models. Scientists can then better understand the conditions that promote the rapid intensification of storms.
Researchers from Delaware therefore hope that shark sensors could contribute to more accurate predictions of hurricane intensity along the East Coast of the United States in the future.
So it's not that a shark can "predict a hurricane." Instead of a meteorologist, a shark collects ocean data that can help meteorologists and climatologists refine their predictions.
It may not be a long-term burden for sharks
The tagging of the shark itself is designed to be as quick as possible and have the least impact on the animal. Researchers try to complete the entire process within a few minutes and check the shark's condition before releasing it back into the ocean.
In addition, the sensors are designed to detach themselves after a certain period. This means the shark does not have to carry the device for its entire life.
According to scientists, it is important that the tagged individual is not significantly stressed or injured. Its natural behavior is as important for research as the technology itself. If the animal behaved unnaturally due to the sensor, the collected data might not accurately reflect ocean conditions.
From terrifying predator to human helper
The project has another interesting dimension.
For decades, sharks have often been portrayed primarily as dangerous predators. In reality, however, they are an important part of marine ecosystems, and scientists are gaining more and more information about the functioning of the oceans from their behavior and movement.
This time, their abilities can even help people prepare for extreme weather.
If the research proves successful, sharks could provide valuable data for areas along the U.S. East Coast, from North Carolina to Massachusetts. More accurate information about a hurricane's expected strength can ultimately mean better preparation for residents of coastal areas and more effective protection against the consequences of severe storms.
It's somewhat ironic. An animal that is a symbol of fear in popular culture can help scientists better protect human lives.
And this time, the shark needs nothing more than its natural ability to swim in the ocean.
Author: Miri Svobodová
Source:
Reuters – Scientists turn to sharks to improve hurricane predictions, August 8, 2026.
University of Delaware – information on research using sharks as mobile oceanographic sensors.
Scientific study: Improved seasonal climate forecasting using shark-borne sensor data in a dynamic ocean, npj Climate and Atmospheric Science, April 28, 2026.