OCEARCH Chief Scientist Hueter to deliver keynote address at ninth annual Night on the Sound
By Courtney McDermott
Special to The Island News
OKATIE – Mention the word “shark” and a few words will undoubtedly come to mind: killers, predators, maybe scary, fierce monsters (never mind the famous movie, Jaws!).
That’s why most people would be surprised to learn that sharks are more than anything else the stewards of the sea, whose existence provides a delicate balance for a fragile ecosystem.
“Sharks play a critical role in the health of our oceans,” says Robert Hueter, a marine biologist and Chief Scientist for OCEARCH, a global non-profit conducting unprecedented research on sharks to help scientists collect previously unattainable data related to these keystone marine species. “They are the balance-keepers of the food web, which is the life blood of our waterways and especially the Port Royal Sound.”
Hueter is the keynote speaker for the ninth annual Night on the Sound on October 21, an event benefiting the Port Royal Sound Foundation’s education and research efforts.
“We are thrilled to present Dr. Hueter at this year’s Night on the Sound,” says Port Royal Sound Foundation Executive Director Jody Hayward. “It’s important for us to understand sharks and their role in our ecosystem, and we’re eager to learn about these incredible animals from someone who has dedicated their career to studying them.”
Hueter’s talk, entitled ‘A Scientist Looks at 40,’ is a reflection on what has been learned about sharks over 40 years of research, as well as the 40th anniversary of OCEARCH. It’s also a nod to the late Jimmy Buffet, who spent a lifetime singing songs about the ocean and who accompanied the OCEARCH crew on a Long Island expedition to study juvenile sharks before his death.
Robert Hueter has been studying sharks longer than almost anyone on the planet. Over four decades he’s researched dozens of shark species on every continent except Antarctica and, as you can imagine, learned a lot about these apex predators. He would like everyone to think of new ways to describe these prehistoric sea creatures, and especially the important role they play in the health of the waters that surround us.
Most importantly, Hueter aims to educate people about sharks’ connections to the Port Royal Sound, which is home to 17 shark species and is a prime winter-feeding site thanks to its healthy and productive ecosystem.
“The Port Royal Sound is home to an unusually high number of shark species, and they are all vastly different from one another,” Hueter says. “The fact that so many species migrate to the sound each year is a testament to the health of the waterways, and the need to continue preserving this precious resource.”
You can hear Hueter in person and learn more about the critical role of sharks in the health of the Port Royal Sound and other coastal waterways by purchasing tickets to the ninth annual Night on the Sound.
Set for Saturday, Oct. 21, at 6 p.m., the event will feature cocktails, hors d’oeuvres and music in the Maritime Center, followed by an elegant four-course meal in the new, marshside Weezie Educational Pavilion. Tickets are limited and can be purchased at www.PortRoyalSoundFoundation.org/NOTS or by calling 843-645-7774.
“Night on the Sound is such a fun event, and we are excited to hold it in our new Weezie Educational Pavilion,” Hayward says. “It’s going to be a great night.”
To learn more about Robert Hueter, OCEARCH and its research efforts, or to access a free shark tracker, visit www.OCEARCH.org.
