Scientists to Breed Sharks in Artificial Wombs

Natal Sharks Board and Australian scientists hope to breed ragged-tooth sharks in artificial, plastic wombs, as part of a ground-breaking shark conservation project.

If the experiment works, the embryonic, laboratory-reared shark pups will be sent to Australia to strengthen the dwindling population of ragged-tooths along the Great Barrier Reef and the New South Wales coastline.

Hunting and fishing have left ragged-tooth sharks critically endangered along the eastern coastline of Australia, and scientists fear they are headed for extinction unless their population numbers can be dramatically improved.

Nick Otway, a senior research scientist with the New South Wales department of primary industries, said the artificial breeding project was considered essential because raggies did not breed well in captivity and cannibalism in the uterus was a problem.

Unborn ragged-tooth sharks eat their siblings in the womb, reducing the number of pups that are finally born.

But if the pups can be removed from the shark’s uterus and raised in an artificial womb, it may be possible to boost the population.

So in other words… get ready for more sharks, Aussies!

[source]