Jens Hegg

Jens Hegg

Mar 22, 2023

Group 6 Copy 909
1

They're Here!!

In our last lab note we were still mired in a bit of a bureaucratic paperwork shuffle. As you'll recall, we had just received the NOAA Letter of Determination that made our samples legal to import...but, we'd had to re-apply for the Brazilian CITES export permit. A lot has changed since then...

Today, the samples were finally cleared by USFWS and they are safe in my office at Gonzaga University!

This has been an incredibly long process and we are all incredibly relieved that the samples are here and ready to be analyzed. It's a huge weight off my shoulders.

BTW - I spent the first bit of the money you all raised to pay the CITES import fee, US$93. The rest is earmarked for the remainder of the project.

Next Steps

We already have big plans for them. Through the Gonzaga Science Research Program I have two paid undergraduate students who will help complete the first phase of sample preparation and analysis this summer. I'll introduce them over the summer as the project ramps up.

The lab is gearing up with recent purchases of a sample sectioning saw and other necessities. We have also confirmed that we will be spending 10 days at UW Friday Harbor Lab to complete micro-CT imaging of a subsample of the teeth. This will provide ultra-high resolution 3D images of the inside of the teeth that we hope will help identify growth- or age-related structures that we've had trouble seeing with a flat, 2D section of the tooth.

You might also recall that we had been invited to the second phase of the Save Our Seas Keystone Grant. The only news I can share is that that second phase is complete. Keep your eyes on the Ocean News section of their website, we're expecting an announcement soon...

Thanks Again

Thanks again for all of your support. Despite how much time it's taken to import the samples and get this project off the ground, things will ramp up quickly from here. If you've followed along this far rest assured, the exciting part of science is coming right up. We're all super excited to share it with you...and SOOOO excited to finally have the samples imported safe and sound!


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  • Eric Knudsen
    Eric KnudsenBacker
    Very happy to hear about this progress Jens. Looking forward to more interesting and fun updates!!
    Mar 22, 2023

About This Project

EN / PT

Sawfish are one of the most endangered fish in the world, and Atlantic tarpon are considered vulnerable. Both fish move into salty and fresh water, but we don't understand these movements. Knowing more could help identify ways to protect both species. Luckily, tarpon scales and sawfish rostral teeth store chemistry that can reconstruct the movements they make. We hypothesize that teeth and scales will allow is to reconstruct the movements of both fish in a non-lethal way.

Blast off!

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