WAKEFIELD, R.I. (WPRI) — A young seal named Scarlet has been given a new task while she enjoys the Rhode Island waters.

Rehabilitated at Mystic Aquarium, Scarlet is the first seal released in the Ocean State with both a satellite tag and an acoustic tag, according to the Atlantic Shark Institute (ASI).

The satellite tag will let researchers track her movements when she is swimming at the surface or on a beach, while the acoustic tag will let them track her underwater, the ASI explained.

Scarlet, who was named after a large scar she has, is a young harbor seal who is 8 to 9 months old.

She is part of a cooperative research effort by the ASI, Mystic Aquarium, R.I. Department of Environmental Management (DEM), and the Atlantic Marine Conservation Society.

“This long-term collaboration is designed to answer questions about seal movement in New England and surrounding waters (particularly around Block Island, RI), how and when they might interact with great white sharks and much more,” the ASI said.

ASI Executive Director Jon Dodd said they are going to have Scarlet help researchers better understand the relationship between seal populations and great white sharks.

Dodd said there is a steadily growing seal colony on Block Island, estimated to be 250 to 300 strong. He noted that the DEM has also detected more than 50 great white sharks in local waters, and that number also appears to be growing.

“Using the white shark and seal data, we hope to be able to determine area usage, how often these seals and white sharks may cross paths, if there ever a predation event and much more,” Dodd said.

As of now, there are no adult or sub-adult white sharks that reside in Rhode Island waters, according to Dodd, but the ASI is watching the seal colony and sharks to see if that changes.