Mako Shark attacks research submersible in Rhode Island waters (video)

Marine Biologist Lauren Romeiro and filmmaker Joe Romeiro were off the coast of Rhode Island studying and filming sharks when their ROV (remote operated vehicle) was disabled by a curious Mako shark.

Mako sharks are the fastest shark in the ocean. The husband and wife team from Rhode Island has spent countless hours in the waters off the coast documenting and observing the animals that call the area home. One popular species that frequents the waters during the summer is the Mako shark. “Mako sharks are very intelligent and tenacious. We have had many other sharks curious about our ROV in previous years as well.” said Lauren Romeiro. “We sometimes use ROVs because it extends our reach with how much time we can spend in the water. We are able to see behaviors that we normally wouldn’t by removing the third party”.

The couple has been conducting underwater surveys off the coast New England for more than a decade, collecting data on all marine animals with a focus on Mako, Great White, Blue, and Porbeagle Sharks. The surveys document changes in animal populations, identify various species and individuals, and recognize trends using standardized data that has been collected over many years. Joe and Laurens’ work not only focuses on using innovative camera technology to document the lives of sharks that inhabit our waters, but they are also using cutting edge scientific tools such as environmental DNA. Determining where and when sharks occur and how they are using the habitat provides important information for providing management plans to protect the species for the future.

The couple owns and operates a local production company 333 Productions as well as a popular YouTube channel (https://bit.ly/333productions)