Megalodon Project Pico Azores

MEGALODON

PROJECT

AZORES

Megafauna science powered by
proWin pronature & Pico Sport Azores

Our initiative is a cooperation between the Dive and Whale Watching industry, NGO´s and private donors combined with scientists and scientific projects. It is our aim to create awareness and collect evidence thru science to motivate politicians to create marine reserves and protect species. Therefore we run various programs to collect funds to finance the scientific work and to change peoples mind and governments minds.

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WHY THE AZORES?

The Azores represent many things in terms of marine life; the islands are a crossover point, both in terms of ecological zones and seasonal migration routes for many big animals. They are also a marine life magnet because they are somewhat of an oasis – productive seamounts in the deep ‘desert’ of the subtropical north Atlantic. The southern branch of the Gulf stream transports life here, washing over the seamounts and encouraging upwellings.

One reason the islands are such a marine life hotspot is that in the winter, when the rest of the north Atlantic is effectively shut down to biological productivity, the Azores is far enough South (barely) and cool enough (barely) to have both nutrients and sunlight in the water column – which means it is one of a handful of places in the North Atlantic that can feed marine life in winter. It is the first area to burst into life with the spring bloom, which is why starving whales after the breeding season stop over to feast on krill, available here before cold waters to the north have bloomed.

Another reason for the richness of the islands’ marine life is the draw of the mid-Atlantic ridge, and the ‘seamount effect’. This is an increase in productivity and a gathering of marine life, drawn to and migrating along the seamounts. The sperm whales, that spend much of their year here, are drawn here by enormous masses of big, deep water squid that gather along the ridge.

DESCRIPTION

Sharks exist since more than 450 million years on our blue planet. The biggest one that ever lived was the Megalodon . He was not only the biggest shark in the world, but one of the largest fish ever to exist. Estimates suggest it grew to between 15 and 18 meters in length, three times longer than the largest recorded great white shark. While often referred to as living fossils, sharks have evolved many different guises over the hundreds of millions of years that they have been swimming the oceans.

View on Wildlife Computer

Reports by Jorge Fontes

scientist and leader of the Ecidive PR project and Megalodon scientifíc shark tagging:

about him:

Azores islands native, PhD in Marine Ecology. My interest include: Reef and seamount fish ecology and MPA design, habitat use of adults. Control of marine invasive algae Spatial ecology and connectivity of seamount fish populations and marine megafauna (mobulas, tunas and sharks) with focus on new biologging customized and classic tools. Marine robotic technology applied to marine science. Extensive filed work experience, over 1500 dives, fishing tagging, biotelemetry, marine robotics, etc.

University of the Azores, Institute of Marine Research - IMARHorta, Portuga.

In collaboration with prowin pronature and ecodive pr / Jorge Fontes the Megalodon shark tagging project is carried out. The aim is to study the migration routes of the Azorean megafauna and to establish protected areas south of the Azores for this species.

But will they survive human being?

We are all aware of the threats of the Ocean and it is later than 5 minus before twelve to take action. Our initiative is a cooperation between the Dive and Whale Watching industry, NGO´s and private donors combined with scientists and scientific projects. It is our aim to create awareness and collect evidence thru science to motivate politicians to create marine reserves and protect species. Therefore we run various programs to collect funds to finance the scientific work and to change peoples mind and governments minds.

All life is connected in the ocean.

As a species, our survival is dependent on our oceans being healthy and full of life. Until today only four percent are protected. This means that important areas are left unregulated and vulnerable to the increasing human pressures. Unsustainable fishing, irresponsible waste management and climate change are some of them and desasters like in Fukushima are some of them. The consequences are clear. If we don’t protect marine life from destructive human activities now, the oceans face a ‘sixth mass extinction’; an extinction caused by humans.

Our ocean giants hold the key.

Sharks play a critical role in the health of our oceans’ vast ecosystems and the survival of all marine life. A major decrease in the shark population — or even extinction — would trigger things like outof- control algae or the extinction of smaller animals that rely on sharks to eat their predators. The problems have never been bigger for these ocean giants, which is why the Megalodon Project is on a mission to save them using pioneering research, education, and sustainable conservation solutions. We conduct pioneering research on marine megafauna and want to use scientific evidence to educate the public and government to influence long-lasting conservation strategies. The survival of the marine Eco systems are the base to create food for a big part of the world population in the future. Only if we protect the remaining hot spots in the Ocean we will be able to feed the worlds growing population. Sustainable management is needed to protect the resources and guarantee the reproduction in our hot spots.

The main target species for our ongoing science are Blue sharks, Mako sharks, Whale sharks, Mobula Rays, Sunfish.

In 2021 we speeded up science in the mid Atlantic and financed 25 satellite tags which quote including the running satellite costs around 5.000 USD per unit .the Jorge Fontes team deployed 15 units and we got amazing results.
The Megafauna travels thousands of miles….see these maps on the website of the wildlife computer.

In 2022 more 10 tags will be displayed and we are excited for the results.

We want to inspire more supporters to finance this science and approve that the Azores and the Mid atlantic ridge are a hot spot for life that needs to be protected to secure the survival of marine life. We call for Tour Operators of the diving industry, dive shops, dive equipment branches and each diver to become part of the project.

OUR SPONSORS

ADOPTION PROGRAMS

We have 30 + Satellite tags up for adoption. They have not yet been named and if you donate a complete sat tag you can name the tag like you wish. In that case you can follow the tag online and will see your name. For example a blue shark female called ProWin 1, Mares 1 or Wirodive 1. But you can also be part of a sat tag owner group and your name will be listed in the donors list of the final tag name online. For example a whale shark female called Mexican girl. Under this synonym you will find the list of donors that funded this sat tag. Beside of this each donor will receive a digital certificate of adoption with the animals details a digital picture of your adopted animal and a latest cool info fact sheet on the species.

Bronze Certificate 100 Megalodon Project

100 €

BRONCE PACKAGE

A FUN PERSONALISED DIGITAL CERTIFICATE OF ADOPTION WITH THE SHARK’S DETAILS, A DIGITAL PICTURE OF YOUR ADOPTED SHARK AND A LATEST COOL INFO FACT SHEET ON WHALE SHARKS.

Silver Certificate 200 Megalodon Project

200 €

SILVER PACKAGE

ALL THAT YOU GET WITH THE BRONCO CERTIFICATE PLUS A WEEKLY UPDATE OF YOUR SHARK’S LOCATION SENT TO YOUR EMAIL, AS LONG AS THE SATELLITE TAG REMAINS ON THE ANIMALS AND TRANSMITS LOCATIONS.

Golden Certificate 500 Megalodon Project

500 €

GOLDEN PACKAGE

THE CERTIFICATE, PHOTO, DAILY UPDATES AND VERY COOL SHARK VIDEOS AND A SELECTION OF IMAGES YOU CAN USE AS A SCREENSAVER OR ZOOM VIRTUAL BACKDROP.

2000 €

PLATIN PACKAGE

YOU RECEIVED EVERYTHING FROM BRONZE TO GOLD AND A FULL ONLINE LIFE PRESENTATION WITH JORGE FONTES ON THESE WONDERFUL ANIMALS.

5000 €

BLUE EARTH PACKAGE

SPONSOR ONE OF THE SATELLITE TAGGED ON AN ANIMAL OF YOUR CHOICE AND NAME HIM. RECEIVE ALL OF THE GREAT BENEFITS OF ALL PREVIOUS LEVELS AND JOIN JORGE FONTES AND HIS TEAM ON HIS BOAT FOR A DAY EXPEDITION TO TAG ANIMALS. ALL MAPS, NEWS AND UPDATES WILL REFLECT THE NAME YOU GIVE HIM. CONTACT US FOR MORE DETAILS OF WHAT IS INCLUDED IN THE FIELD TRIP.