CLOSING STATEMENT 



In summary then, this workshop has attempted to review some of the 

 main areas of shark research and to suggest those areas where efforts 

 expended may give the most profitable results in the future. It is hoped 

 that this report will prove useful not only for scientists but for planners, 

 research managers, Navy personnel, and laymen interested in sharks and 

 shark research. 



In abbreviated form, these recommendations can be summarized as 

 follows: 



1. A proposed "Guide to the Sharks of the World" to be produced 

 by a multiplicity of authors in a loose leaf format in order 

 to insure wide dissemination of accurate and up-to-date 

 information about the identification and biology of sharks. 



2. A proposed "Systematic Catalogue of Sharks and Rays of 

 the World" intended as a companion to the guide listed 

 above but containing more technical information for 

 specialists. 



3. A proposed Shark Data Bank where potentially useful 

 ecological data on sharks may be gathered and collated 

 as contributed, perhaps much of it collected incidental 

 to other marine research. 



4. Concentrated ecological and behavioral studies on a 

 variety of representative and preferably ubiquitous 

 species of sharks such as the great white shark, tiger 

 shark, bull shark, or oceanic whitetip. 



5. Expansion of research using the most advanced ethological 

 techniques for investigating social, rhythmic and feeding 

 behavior, especially toward a quantification of the results. 



6. Continuation of research: behavioral, physiological and 

 anatomical; on shark sensory systems: acoustic, chemical, 

 visual and electric; as well as on a number of other systems: 

 central nervous system, orientation mechanisms and the 

 osmoregulatory system. 



7. The establishment and maintenance of an effective reporting 

 system for shark incidents, perhaps within the framework of 



a re-established Shark Attack File with its attendant function 

 of analysis and reporting. 



8. Improved dissemination of information about sharks in relation 

 to man including medical treatment for shark attack injuries 

 and the reassessment of accurate and current information in 

 training programs. 



9. Discontinuance of the purchase of Shark Chaser by the Department 

 of Defense along with the objective assessment of all proposed 



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