TOURNAMENT-ELIGIBLE SHARK SPECIES
And Additional Resources

Of the more than 400 species of sharks, a dozen qualify for points in the Guy Harvey Ultimate Shark Challenge. Of those, seven are the most likely to be encountered by anglers in the coastal waters of southwest Florida, during the spring and summer months. This list includes the great hammerhead, bull, lemon, sandbar, blacktip, spinner and nurse sharks.

However, it is called fishing and not catching, and one thing most anglers will tell you, especially when fishing in a saltwater environment is that, 'You just never know what might pick up the other end of that line.' Depending upon numerous factors, mostly dictated by Mother Nature, the opportunity to encounter some species like the shortfin mako, tiger, scalloped hammerhead, dusky or sandtiger, does exist.

Having a realistic shot at close encounters with any of these species is among the reasons the USC has been, and will continue to work so closely with members of the scientific research community. All of these animals, but some in particular, are prime candidate specimens for the attachment of satellite tracking tags. That's one of the reasons Robert E. Hueter, Ph. D, Director of Mote Marine Laboratory's Center for Shark Research, has built specific scientific objectives into the tournament's innovative, all release format. Some of these objectives will involve the use of cutting-edge research technology, and the use of hi-tech tracking devices to gain valuable access into the lives of these sharks.

With Mote's direct, hands on involvement, the generous support of The Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation, and participating anglers, we're optimistic that our collective efforts may just result in some important findings about these animals that are, at the same time, notorious, fragile, enigmatic and vital components of the world's marine eco-systems.

So it is without further delay, that we introduce you to some of the sharks that ALL of us hope to see a lot of during the Guy Harvey Ultimate Shark Challenge.

We'd like to thank Andy Murch of ElasmoDiver.com for providing images.
Additional information provided by: MarineBio.org. Photos © where indicated.

Click on Images to Enlarge:

Competitive rules, elements and prizes subject to change, prior to event.
Disputes and grievances that may arise are subject to review by the competition committee, whose decisions are final. Any handling of sharks deemed to be unnecessarily hazardous or overly aggressive could result in disqualification or point deductions.