Committee to Hold Hearing to Examine Innovations in Shark Research and Technology - Chairman John Thune Statement

Statement

Good morning. Today, we are here to discuss innovations in shark research and technology.

What many of you might not know, is that my home state of South Dakota has a long history with sharks -- a connection at least 70 million years old, from a time when South Dakota was covered by shallow seas.

My state was once the home of relatives of the Great White Shark, and we can still find their fossilized teeth today. The Ginsu Shark, whose tooth I have here, was named after its teeth -- teeth that were sharp enough to take down the occasional dinosaur.

Relatives of the Megaladon also swam in those seas. If anyone has seen the trailer for the soon-to-be-released movie The Meg, you'll know not to turn your back on our South Dakota sharks.

Even before the movie Jaws was released in the 1970s, Americans have been fascinated by sharks. Aquariums and other educational programs have helped to demystify sharks, and our initial fear has turned into fandom.

Now, shark week is watched by millions of viewers every year and is celebrating its 30th anniversary.

But, because they often live deep in the oceans, learning about many species of sharks is extremely difficult.

Increasing our understanding of sharks has required creative innovation from shark scientists and engineers using everything from medical x-rays to satellites in outer space.

These scientific efforts inform the management of shark stocks through the Magnusson Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act. Under this Act, U.S. fisheries, including shark fisheries, are the best managed in the world.

To improve management of sharks, this committee has passed both the Sustainable Shark Fisheries and Trade Act and the Shark Fin Trade Elimination Act. Among other things, these bills would protect sharks by regulating trade in shark fins.

Today, we will hear from four scientists from across the United States who are pushing the boundaries of what we know about sharks.

This shark research is being used to improve American lives by increasing our understanding of oceans and fisheries, creating new innovations in engineering, and even searching for medical breakthroughs.

For example, research on the aerodynamics of shark skin is being used to improve the design of airplanes, and shark cartilage is helping burn victims heal faster. Sharks were one of the first fish to carry satellite tags, leading to much better management of other highly migratory species in American fisheries, such as Tuna and Swordfish.

As it turns out, our fascination with sharks is more than justified, and I look forward to hearing from our expert witnesses today.

I will now turn to Ranking Member Nelson for his opening statement.

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