Rio, April 6, 2004 (Agência Brasil) - The Studies and Projects Financing Agency (FINEP), an organ linked to the Ministry of Science and Technology, is analyzing a request for US$ 69.56 thousand (R$ 200 thousand) for the Shark Monitoring Project (Protuba), developed by the Federal Rural University of Pernambuco (UPPE), to analyze shark behavior along the coast of Pernambuco.

In the last 12 years, shark attacks have been responsible for 14 deaths along beaches in the metropolitan area of Recife, capital of Pernambuco, as well as causing injuries to other victims, keeping tourists away, and hurting the tourist sector.

The Protuba should survey the behavior of animals that inhabit the Pernambuco coast and capture representatives of the various shark species that exist in the region. Environmental variables, such as salinity and water temperature, related to the attacks, will also be analyzed. The goal of the project is to establish an ecological plan to make beaches in the state more secure.

Translator: David Silberstein