A team of researchers at Macquarie University’s Behaviour, Ecology, and Evolution of Fishes Laboratory have a unique offer that allows shark lovers to not only adopt their own, but to contribute to researchers’ understanding of the Port Jackson species.

For a contribution ranging from $5 to $500, you can receive in return the honour of naming a shark, a photo of your shark, and the ability to follow your shark’s movements in Sydney Harbour and Port Stephens, via the Lab website. The money donated is put towards the purchase of acoustic tags that allow the researchers to track each shark’s travels over the next five to ten years.

Through this program the researchers hope to learn whether sharks from Sydney Harbour and Port Stephens also migrate south, and also whether males and females differ in their breeding site departure and arrival times. In the future, they also plan to investigate if Port Jackson sharks have a ‘mental map’ of their territory, and know their way around.

For more information about the program or to adopt a shark, visit the lab website.

What would you name your shark? Tell us your best suggestions in the comments below!