THE 3-MINUTE INTERVIEW: Martin Gary

Gary is an ecologist for the Maryland Department of Natural Resources Fisheries Service. What kind of sharks live in the waters around D.C.?

Well, when you say around D.C., we’re talking about the Potomac River and its tidally influenced waters. Depending on conditions of drought or heavy rainfall, the Potomac may be either very fresh or salty. This year’s … low salinity limits the diversity of shark species you might see pretty much to one, the bull shark. Bull sharks are capable of adapting to a wide range of salinities, and have the ability to tolerate a freshwater environment.