Zebra sharks born using artificial insemination could soon arrive in the UK to help the species breed

A zebra shark was artificially inseminated in Mooloolaba, Australia
Transporting sharks is impractical but moving eggs is far more achievable
If more than six eggs are produced then some will be brought to the UK
The ultimate objective is to breed threatened species whose numbers have declined alarmingly in the wild

Published: 07:34 EST, 21 October 2016 | Updated: 07:54 EST, 21 October 2016

e-mail

View
comments

Marine experts have carried out artificial insemination on a zebra shark in a trial which could result in eggs being hatched in the UK for the first time.

The ground-breaking procedure is used to spread the gene pool by introducing the animals to new areas, with some due to reach Britain within months.

The researchers' ultimate objective is to breed threatened species whose numbers have declined alarmingly in the wild.

Marine experts have carried out artificial insemination on a zebra shark in a trial which could result in eggs being hatched in the UK for the first time

The process sees divers turn the female zebra shark upside down to induce a trance-like state called 'tonic immobility', a natural state of paralysis that most sharks can enter, so they can inseminate her with sperm taken from a male.

The method has been used on sharks in an attempt to improve their genetics, as if too many are concentrated in one place then related animals may breed, causing their genetics to degenerate.

While it is expensive and impractical to transport sharks around the world, the prospect of moving eggs is far more achievable.

The eggs, which should lay in a few months, could be transported to the UK and hatched for the very first time.

Bringing zebra shark eggs to the UK can spread the gene pool. This could prove vital in helping sharks that are struggling in the wild. Pictured is a zebra shark at a Sea Life centre

ARTIFICIAL INSEMINATION

The method has been adopted among sharks in an attempt to improve their genetics, as if too many are concentrated in one place then related animals may breed, causing their genetics to degenerate.

While it is expensive and impractical to transport sharks around the world, the prospect of moving eggs is far more achievable.

The procedure, which was carried out in Mooloolaba, Australia, was funded by Sea Life's marine animal welfare centre in Weymouth, Dorset.

Jean-Denis Hibbitt, marine biologist and breeding programme coordinator at Weymouth, says Sea Life centres around the UK could soon take in eggs.

Mr Hibbitt, 35, said: 'By bringing zebra shark eggs to the UK we can spread the gene pool and improve the animal's genetics.

'This could prove vital in helping sharks that are struggling in the wild.

'Artificial insemination has been used for a long time among other animals but it's new for sharks.

'If the artificial insemination in this case is successful we should see eggs produced within a few months.

'If any more than half a dozen are produced then some will be brought to the UK.

'Sea Life have five zebra sharks at centres across the country but with this development that number could increase.

Sea Life centres have five zebra sharks at centres across the country, including one at Loch Lomond Sea Life (pictured), but with this development that number could increase

The ultimate objective for those carrying out the work is to breed threatened species like the sand-tiger shark (pictured left) and bowmouth guitar shark (pictured right), whose numbers have declined alarmingly in the wild but which are notoriously difficult to breed in captivity

'We could see a number of other species from foreign countries make the same move thanks to artificial insemination.'

The Australian trial follows the world's first successful zebra shark artificial insemination in Long Beach, California in 2013, and subsequent birth of two pups six months later.

The ultimate objective for those carrying out the work is to breed threatened species like the sand-tiger shark and bowmouth guitar shark, whose numbers have declined alarmingly in the wild but which are notoriously difficult to breed in captivity.

The procedure, which was carried out in Mooloolaba, Australia, was funded by Sea Life's marine animal welfare centre in Weymouth, Dorset

If the artificial insemination in this case is successful, eggs should be produced within a few months. 'If any more than half a dozen are produced then some will be brought to the UK.