Conservation challenges of sharks with continental scale migrations

Heupel, Michelle R.; Simpfendorfer, Colin A.; Espinoza, Mario; Smoothey, Amy F.; Tobin, Andrew J.; Peddemors, Victor M.

doi:10.3389/fmars.2015.00012

Cited by 124 publications

(115 citation statements)

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“…A thorough understanding of movement patterns of a species is critical for designing effective conservation and management initiatives (Lascelles et al, 2014;Heupel et al, 2015). However, incorporation of movement data into conservation strategies remains underutilized and a common challenge for researchers, as there is often a lack of knowledge of where, when, and why a species moves (Allen and Singh, 2016).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…This species inhabits deep waters, shallow lagoons and coral reefs. It is considered an upper-trophic level consumer (Cliff, 1995;, and due to its known long-range movements is likely an important mobile link species between ecosystems (Lundberg and Moberg, 2003;Heupel et al, 2015) playing an important part in the functioning, structure, and stability of these systems (Ferretti et al, 2010;Roff et al, 2016). Great hammerheads are a target or bycatch species in a variety of fisheries throughout their range, and as a result, substantial population declines are suspected to have occurred in many areas (Denham et al, 2007;Miller et al, 2014).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Philopatry and Regional Connectivity of the Great Hammerhead Shark, Sphyrna mokarran in the U.S. and Bahamas

et al. 2017

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A thorough understanding of movement patterns of a species is critical for designing effective conservation and management initiatives. However, generating such information for large marine vertebrates is challenging, as they typically move over long distances, live in concealing environments, are logistically difficult to capture and, as uppertrophic predators, are naturally low in abundance. Large-bodied, broadly distributed tropical shark typically restricted to coastal and shelf habitats, the great hammerhead shark Sphyrna mokarran epitomizes such challenges. Highly valued for its fins (in target and incidental fisheries), it suffers high bycatch mortality coupled with fecundity conservative life history, and as a result, is vulnerable to over-exploitation and population depletion. Although there are very little species-specific data available, the absence of recent catch records give cause to suspect substantial declines across its range. Here, we used biotelemetry techniques (acoustic and satellite), conventional tagging, laser-photogrammetry, and photo-identification to investigate the level of site fidelity/residency for great hammerheads to coastal areas in the Bahamas and U.S., and the extent of movements and connectivity of great hammerheads between the U.S. and Bahamas. Results revealed large-scale return migrations (3030 km), seasonal residency to local areas (some for 5 months), site fidelity (annual return to Bimini and Jupiter for many individuals) and numerous international movements. These findings enhance the understanding of movement ecology in great hammerhead sharks and have potential to contribute to improved conservation and management.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Philopatry and Regional Connectivity of the Great Hammerhead Shark, Sphyrna mokarran in the U.S. and Bahamas

et al. 2017

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“…It seems thus unlikely that the shark had moved at superficial waters from the oceanic province for such a protracted period, as proposed by the location estimates of the UKFSST algorithm. Considering that C. leucas exhibit a clear preference for coastal habitats (Carlson et al, 2010;Hammerschlag et al, 2012;Heupel et al, 2015;Graham et al, 2016), the fact that the maximum depth registered by the transmitter (64 ± 4 m) matches the minimum depth of the continental shelf break (Martins, Coutinho, 1981) suggests that this shark moved mostly within the neritic province. Previous tracking studies on C. leucas across the oceanic realm reported movements through greater depths (122-164 m) and lower temperatures (16-21ºC) (Carlson et al, 2010;Lea et al, 2015) than the shark tracked in this study, which sustain such a hypothesis.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 94%

“…Even though there is no evidence that this species copulates in freshwater, parturition likely occurs in warm-water estuaries and rivers (Montoya, Thorson, 1982;Compagno et al, 2005;Pillans et al, 2006). Adult C. leucas sharks make use of shallow nearshore habitats (Brunnschweiler et al, 2010;Hammerschlag et al, 2012;Heupel et al, 2015;Graham et al, 2016), particularly in areas of high freshwater inflow, associated with an elevated productivity, where they usually exhibit some level of site fidelity (Carlson et al, 2010;Daly et al, 2014). Nevertheless, this species also undertakes coastal migrations regulated by environmental, foraging and reproductive drivers (Daly et al, 2014;Espinoza et al, 2016).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Bioecology and movements of bull sharks, Carcharhinus leucas , caught in a long-term longline survey off northeastern Brazil

2017

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Bioecology and movements of bull sharks, Carcharhinus leucas, caught in a long-term longline survey off northeastern BrazilYuri V. Niella 1, 2 , André S. Afonso 2 and Fábio H. V. Hazin 2 A robust understanding of habitat usage by coastal shark species, and how it overlaps with human presence in denselypopulated regions is needed to inform the development of efficient conservation strategies for these important top predators. An intensive longline survey conducted in nearshore waters off northeastern Brazil from 2004 through 2014 caught a total of 18 bull sharks (Carcharhinus leucas) (male-female ratio = 0.63:1), which can be dangerous to humans. Although most sharks were sexually mature, there was no evidence that this region could be used as a parturition or nursery area. Prey items identified in the guts of the sharks comprised teleosts, mollusks and elasmobranchs. Additionally, one satellite-tagged bull shark covered a great distance (> 3,000 km) in 75 days at liberty, making most use of shallow waters (< 20 m depth) and presumably also entering an estuarine area. Although bull sharks are not an important fishery resource in this region, such a reduced abundance coupled with its affinity for coastal and inshore habitats highlights the potential vulnerability of C. leucas to deleterious anthropic interferences off northeastern Brazil.Keywords: Drumline, Longline, Maturity status, Pop-up satellite archival tag, Recife.Um melhor entendimento sobre a utilização de hábitat das espécies de tubarões costeiros, e como ela se sobrepõe à presença humana em regiões altamente populosas, se faz necessário a fim de subsidiar o desenvolvimento de eficientes medidas de conservação para esses importantes predadores de topo. Um estudo intensivo utilizando espinhel, conduzido em águas costeiras do nordeste do Brasil entre os anos de 2004 e 2014, capturou um total de 18 tubarões cabeça-chata (Carcharhinus leucas) (proporção macho-fêmea = 0,63:1), os quais podem ser perigosos para humanos. Apesar da maioria dos tubarões estarem sexualmente maduros, não houve evidências de que essa região esteja sendo utilizada como uma área de parto ou berçário. Entre os itens alimentares identificados foram encontrados teleósteos, moluscos e elasmobrânquios. Além disso, um tubarão cabeça-chata marcado com um transmissor satélite percorreu uma grande distância (> 3.000 km) em 75 dias em liberdade, fazendo o uso de águas superficiais (< 20 m profundidade) e presumivelmente entrando em uma área estuarina. Apesar de os tubarões cabeça-chata não corresponderem a um recurso pesqueiro importante nessa região, tal reduzida abundância juntamente com a sua afinidade por hábitats costeiros reforçam a potencial vulnerabilidade de C. leucas às interferências antrópicas deletérias ao longo da costa nordeste do Brasil.

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“…Similar unexpected results were found for spangled emperor Lethrinus nebulosus , whose migrations along Ningaloo reef would not have been detected without the backbone provided by the national IMOS ATF infrastructure. Finally, the most extensive study of bull shark (Carcharhinus leucas) movements reported in Australia was made possible through the national network, and revealed complex inter-jurisdictional connectivity patterns along the east coast of Australia that have broad implications for the management of the species (Heupel et al 2015).…”

Section: The National Network: Integrated Marine Observing System Animentioning

confidence: 99%

Where technology meets ecology: acoustic telemetry in contemporary Australian aquatic research and management

Taylor

Babcock

Simpfendorfer

et al. 2017

Mar. Freshwater Res.

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Abstract. Acoustic telemetry is used to investigate a diverse suite of questions regarding the biology and ecology of a range of aquatic species, and is an important tool for fisheries and conversation management. Herein we present a brief review of the Australian acoustic telemetry literature in the context of key areas of progress, drawing from several recent studies and identifying areas for future progress. Acoustic telemetry has been increasingly used in Australia over the past decade. This has included substantial investment in a national acoustic array and the associated development of a national acoustic telemetry database that enables tag deployment and detection data to be shared among researchers (the Integrated Marine Observing System Animal Tracking Facility). Acoustic telemetry has contributed to important areas of management, including public safety, design and management of marine protected areas, the use of closures in fisheries management, informing environmental flow regimes and the impacts of fisheries enhancements, and is most powerful when used as a complementary tool. However, individual variability in movement often confounds our ability to draw general conclusions when attempting to characterise broad-scale patterns, and more work is required to address this issue. This overview provides insight into the important role that acoustic telemetry plays in the research and management of Australian aquatic ecosystems. Application of the technology transcends aquatic environments and bureaucracies, and the patterns revealed are relevant to many of the contemporary challenges facing decision makers with oversight of aquatic populations or ecosystems.

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Conservation challenges of sharks with continental scale migrations

Cited by 124 publications

References 40 publications

Philopatry and Regional Connectivity of the Great Hammerhead Shark, Sphyrna mokarran in the U.S. and Bahamas

Philopatry and Regional Connectivity of the Great Hammerhead Shark, Sphyrna mokarran in the U.S. and Bahamas

Bioecology and movements of bull sharks, Carcharhinus leucas , caught in a long-term longline survey off northeastern Brazil

Where technology meets ecology: acoustic telemetry in contemporary Australian aquatic research and management

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