Sharkbook is a global database for identifying and tracking sharks, particularly whale sharks, using uploaded photos and videos.In addition to identifying and tracking sharks, the site allows people to "adopt a shark" and get updates on specific animals.

Creation

Sharkbook is the result of collaboration between Simon J Pierce of the Marine Megafauna Foundation and Jason Holmberg of Wild Me. The software is Open Source and is now being used by other biology projects. ^{[1] [2] [3]}

Identification of individual sharks

Whale sharks have unique spot patterning on their sides, similar to a human fingerprint, which allows for individual identification. Scuba divers around the world can photograph sharks and upload their identification photographs to the Sharkbook website, supporting global research and conservation efforts. ^{[4] [5] [6] [7] [8]} Additionally, the software automatically searches social media sites like YouTube and Instagram to look for images of whale sharks and adds them to the database. ^[2]

Sharkbook software uses special pattern-matching software to identify the unique spots on each shark. This software and algorithms were originally adapted from NASA star tracking software ^[2] used on the Hubble Space Telescope. ^{[3] [9]} This software uses a scale-invariant feature transform (SIFT) algorithm, which can cope with complications presented by highly variable spot patterns and low contrast photographs. ^{[4] [10] [11]}

Purpose

This citizen science tool is free to use by researchers worldwide. Sharkbook represents a global initiative to centralize shark sightings and facilitate research on these vulnerable species. ^{[12] [13] [14] [15]}

See also

• Manta Matcher - For Manta Rays
• Flukebook - For whales and dolphins

References