Volume 69
Migratory Behavior and Habitat Use of Large Sharks in the Western Gulf of Mexico
Authors
Ajemian, M.J. and G.W. Stunz Download PDF Open PDF in BrowserOther Information
Date: November, 2016
Pages: 346 - 347
Event: Proceedings of the Sixty eigth Annual Gulf and Caribbean Fisheries Institute
City: Grand Cayman
Country: Cayman Islands
Abstract
Large sharks are considered critical apex predators in many marine ecosystems around the world (Myers et al. 2007, Guttridge et al. 2012, Hammerschlag et al. 2015), yet the habitat requirements and migration patterns of these species remain poorly understood throughout much of their ranges. The growing demand for shark habitat use information has supported a proliferation of satellite biotelemetry studies (Hammerschlag et al. 2011). Unfortunately, few data exist on large shark movement patterns in the western Gulf of Mexico despite the multitude of anthropogenic pressures in the region, including indications of declines in the size of multiple large species landed via recreational fishers in the region (Powers et al. 2013, Ajemian et al. 2016).