Hammerhead Shark Tagged Off Rhode Island for First Time

It has already been an epic season for the Atlantic Shark Institute (ASI) researchers, but a recent opportunity to tag a rare northern visitor might be a 'best of' moment.

Rare Hammerhead Shark Spotted Off Block Island

Last week a large, scalloped hammerhead shark was spotted swimming off Block Island and drone footage managed to catch this stunning swimmer enjoying his stay—and helped ASI jump into action.

Unfortunately the massive hammerhead caught on video proved a little too tricky to tag, but then a second hammerhead came swimming up behind it.

Get our free mobile app

Though the size of the first hammerhead spotted off Block Island remains unknown, the smaller 6-foot female swimming not too far behind it was successfully tagged, measured and released on her merry way.

Why This Shark Tagging Is So Important

It was the first ever hammerhead shark tagged off Rhode Island and it will allow ASI researchers to learn much more about these endangered predators.

READ MORE: Massachusetts Animals On The Verge of Extinction

As with any of the institute's taggings, this will allow them to track, tag and study this female hammerhead as she migrates up and down the coast. It will also help obtain valuable information about hammerhead migration routes in an age of climate change and shifting weather patterns.

Atlantic Shark Institute’s Busy Summer Season

Between the hammerhead sightings and rare great white shark feeding video captures earlier this summer, ASI is having a tremendous season in our local waters.

READ MORE: Watch Great White Shark Feed on Whale Off Block Island

With so many shark varieties around Rhode Island and Massachusetts, you never know what the Atlantic Shark Institute will find out there next.