The University of Delaware’s glider, OTIS (Oceanography Telemetry Identification Sensor), will be deployed in the White Shark Café for approximately two and a half weeks during the four-week cruise. The glider is capable of measuring conditions of the water column from the surface to 450 m (~1476 ft) deep, collecting measurements of ocean temperature, salinity, oxygen saturation, chlorophyll concentration, and color dissolved organic matter every few seconds. The glider is also outfitted with acoustic telemetry receivers that record detections of any nearby white sharks (Carcharodon carcharias) or other marine animals carrying compatible acoustic transmitters. These tags emit a sequence of pings that are unique to each individual, like a barcode made of sound, allowing us to distinguish between individuals. This glider will be piloted around the cafe to try and understand the sub-surface oceanography, and using the acoustic receivers, to document the presence and identity of tagged white sharks in the vicinity.

Below are the data feeds coming from the glider. These are updated every ~5 hours while the glider is deployed. (Click on them to see a larger view.)