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On Friday, September 29, 2017, the ɫ����Ƶformally dedicated the Sharkology, the newest addition to its marine research fleet. The ceremony took place at 10 a.m. on the ɫ����Ƶ boat dock, located on the Biddeford Campus.

The Sharkology is a 35 foot 350 Marlin FM that will transport students, faculty and staff offshore to conduct field science in Apex Predators (sharks and marine mammals). Those in attendance for the dedication included ɫ����Ƶ President James Herbert; ɫ����Ƶ Provost Michael Sheldon; ɫ����Ƶ Vice President William Chance; Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences Jeanne Hey; Professor Barry Costa-Pierce, chair of the ɫ����ƵDepartment of Marine Sciences and director of the ɫ����Ƶ Center for Excellence in Marine Sciences; Professor James Sulikowski, Ph.D; and Sharkology donor Arthur P. Girard and family.

The morning’s program began with a welcome from ɫ����Ƶ President James Herbert, followed by talks from Professors Barry Costa-Pierce and James Sulikowski on the importance of the boat to marine research at ɫ����Ƶ, the christening of the Sharkology by Arthur P. Girard, and a short boat ride.

“The donation of this research vessel provides ɫ����Ƶ with an opportunity to fill a unique niche in New England by providing a platform to study sharks, tuna, whales and other charismatic, high profile, and often endangered or threatened species,” said Sulikowski. “By studying such species and how they interact with their environment, we can educate the community, inspire conservation, and challenge scientific paradigms while training future marine scientists.”

To learn more about the University of New England’s Center for Excellence in Marine Sciences, visit www.une.edu/research/msc

To apply, visit www.une.edu/admissions