Atlantic White Shark Conservancy Marks 10 Years of Sharktivity, Connecting Shark Science and the Public
Ten years ago, the Atlantic White Shark Conservancy (AWSC) launched Sharktivity to raise awareness of the presence of white sharks along the coast by making credible, research based information accessible to the public. What started as a regional education and outreach resource now reaches users nationwide, with shark activity documented well beyond its original range. Since launching in 2016, the app has been downloaded more than a million times, putting the science behind the Atlantic Ocean's most iconic apex predators directly into the hands of people. Today, Sharktivity brings together multiple sources of scientific data and sightings from AWSC's science team, naturalists, research partners, and the public. Acoustic and satellite tag data, information about individually identified sharks, and sightings provide different windows into white shark presence and movement, with detections extending from Canada to the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean. As Sharktivity enters its second decade, AWSC remains committed to investing in the science, technology, and partnerships that have shaped the platform since early development.
“Sharktivity was founded on connecting people with credible science,” said Cynthia Wigren, CEO and cofounder of the Atlantic White Shark Conservancy. “What makes the app so valuable is that it combines research, citizen science, technology, and collaboration. We are incredibly grateful to the scientists, public safety officials, technology partners, and members of the public who have contributed to Sharktivity over the past decade.”
Public participation has been an important part of Sharktivity from the beginning. Users can submit shark sightings through the app, extending observations of shark activity beyond what researchers and naturalists encounter on the water. Before appearing on Sharktivity, every public sighting submitted is reviewed by longtime shark researcher John Chisholm, Adjunct Scientist at the New England Aquarium. Confirmed white shark sightings are distinguished from unconfirmed reports on the map.
Collaboration has been central to the research and information shared through Sharktivity. AWSC works closely with Dr. Greg Skomal of the Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries, who launched the first targeted white shark research program in the Northwest Atlantic. Additionally, the organization supports and collaborates with researchers studying the species from Canada to Florida. The data those partnerships generate help scientists across that range deepen what's known about white shark movements, behavior, habitat use, and ecology.
“White sharks are highly migratory animals, so understanding their lives requires collaboration across research programs, organizations, and geographic boundaries,” said Dr. Megan Winton, Senior Scientist at the Atlantic White Shark Conservancy. “By working together and sharing information, we can gain greater insight into this population and advance our overall knowledge of white sharks.”
Since 2024, Sharktivity has been developed with a partnership between AWSC and the team behind Tide Guide, the award-winning ocean weather app that got its start on Cape Cod. Infrastructure support is provided Conserve.io, an environmental software agency. The partnership has delivered significant improvements throughout the app: faster detection notifications, the ability to share and view videos for a new perspective on shark activity, and visual tools for exploring seasonal activity.
With the introduction of Sharktivity Pro in 2025, our audience gained a new way to follow the AWSC science team’s work, while helping support the growing operating costs of the app. Today, our community is nearing 5,000 paid subscribers worldwide.
Work is underway to update the Android version of Sharktivity. Businesses and organizations can also support the app through sponsorship opportunities, helping advance its technology while gaining visibility with its national audience.