CNN spotlights CSUMB program in “Tech for Good” episode

By Mark Muckenfuss

(Aug. 13 update: the CSUMB segment of the show is viewable on this CNN web page)

This weekend, Aug. 3 and 4, CNN International’s “Tech for Good” TV series will feature a group of Cal State Monterey Bay faculty and student researchers from the Department of Marine Science and the work they are doing with sharks in Monterey Bay. 

The first showing is at 3:30 a.m. local time on Saturday. But don’t worry. If you’re not an extreme night owl or early bird, there are friendlier airings: 6:30 p.m. Saturday, and Sunday at 10:30 a.m. and 8 p.m. 

A production team for the show visited CSUMB in late June. In addition to filming on campus, members of the crew accompanied a group of divers off the breakwater in Monterey, capturing video of kelp forest sea life and swarming sea lions, and boarded a boat in Santa Cruz to observe a shark tagging operation. Reporter Kristie Lu Stout was with the taggers. She said it was that aspect of the research that initially attracted her to the story.

“We were excited to find out how students at CSUMB are getting a better picture of our oceans thanks to a form of wearable tech they developed themselves,” Stout said. “We just had to visit the lab, see [this] tech, and witness the team in action in the shark-rich waters of Monterey Bay. This is precisely the type of thrilling innovation we aspire to cover on ‘Tech for Good.’” 

The technology Stout was referring to is a lightweight motion tracker that clips onto a shark’s dorsal fin. While fitted with electronics, the clip itself is hand-made from redwood. It was designed by Dylan Moran, a CSUMB graduate working as a technician and research assistant in the lab of Salvador Jorgensen, an assistant professor in marine science. The device was developed as a tool for research being done by one of Jorgensen's graduate students, Kelsey Montalto.

Moran said there are durable foam materials that could have been used to create the clip, but redwood seemed the better choice. Because the device is lighter and smaller, it can be used to tag smaller white sharks, as well as other animals such as leopard sharks and bat rays, filling in gaps in what scientists know about ocean life. 

“It’s very low cost and do-it-yourself,” Moran said of the tag. “It shows anyone can develop this technology. A lot of people like to overengineer these things. We like to keep our designs as simple as possible while fulfilling our needs.”

One of those needs, Moran said, is not to harm the animal being tagged. This motion tracker is non-invasive and doesn’t require the animal to be captured. It does require a lot of work on the part of the researchers. They first have to find a shark swimming near the surface, sneak up behind it and latch onto the dorsal fin with the spring-activated clip. It’s not an easy task. 

“I quickly learned that tracking sharks takes teamwork, sharp eyes (with polarized sunglasses) and plenty of patience,” Stout said of her outing to Santa Cruz’s “Shark Park,” an area where juvenile white sharks are frequently seen. “We were able to spot and film more than half a dozen juvenile sharks. At one point, [a researcher] was centimeters away from tagging a shark, but it suddenly moved deeper into the ocean.”

Still, she said she was happy with what she and her crew were able to gather during their week here. 

“Viewers should expect to see a thrilling and inspiring story of how young marine experts are unlocking the hidden world of white sharks by inventing newer, smaller tools to understand them,” she said. 

Jorgensen said the high-profile attention will be good for CSUMB and for the marine science program. 

“I think this is the kind of recognition that will help us along,” he said. “It’s a great opportunity for the students and great exposure for them as they’re heading toward the job market.”

Moran said he thinks it could encourage additional students to come to CSUMB.

“Getting international attention is really important for our program as a whole and this exposure is going to be great for everyone,” he said. “We were super excited to showcase what we’re working on and how we’re developing this technology to benefit the oceans around us.” 

And there is a chance they may get to do it again. 

At the end of this season, Stout said, “Tech for Good” is planning a special live show that will bring together some of the student innovators featured on the show. Viewers can vote on which story they would like to learn more about. 

“I would love to have the chance to catch up with the students at CSUMB again if they are selected from the audience vote,” Stout said. 

Moran said he’d like to get that opportunity. 

“I had a great impression of working with them,” he said of the CNN crew. “Everyone was super professional and really friendly. I hope we get to collaborate again in the future.”