Movement and Migration Paths of Shortfin Mako Sharks

A project of Fur seal, pelagic shark and seabird tracking in conjunction with the partners and sponsors detailed below.

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Introduction

We are currently investigating the movement and migration paths of pelagic sharks in Australian waters.

Between March and June 2008, we deployed satellite tags on shortfin mako sharks (Isurus oxyrinchus) (1.7-2 m) from commercial fishing vessel Rahi Aroha in the Great Australian Bight. Two makos were fitted with Wildlife Computers 'splash' tags, which relay regular summaries of water temperature and dive depth data via the ARGOS satellite network.

In March and April 2009, we deployed a further three Wildlife Computers satellite tags on makos of ~1.8, 2.4 and 3 m. This was also done with the assistance of commercial fishers from Port Lincoln. The tag on the 3 m shark was a pop-up satellite tag and is set to release in approximately 1 year.

In May 2009, two satellite tags were deployed on Shortfin Makos off the Bonney or Limestone Coast off South-eastern South Australia. These included a 1.7 m male named 'Zura' and a 2.15 m male named 'Home Strait'. This tagging effort was achieved with the support of Dennis and Kerry Heinicke ('SHAKA-ZURA') from the Adelaide Gamefishing Club, Steve, Paul, Clint and Phil ('Home Strait') from the Bass Strait Gamefishing Club, and the Port MacDonnell Offshore Angling Club. Both new tags are reporting regular GPS locations, and the tag on Zura is also collecting and reporting water temperature and depth information that will help to describe the distribution and habitats of this magnificent species off southern Australia.

In November, the final satellite tag to be deployed on shortfin makos in 2009 was deployed during a CSIRO field-trip from fishing vessel Lucky-S in the gulper shark spatial closure area in the eastern Great Australian Bight. 'Lucky the mako' was a male of 1.7 m, total length. Many thanks to the CSIRO staff, skipper and crew of the Lucky-S for making this possible.

Currently (updated 17 May 2010) there are still four satellite tagged makos reporting regular position, temperature and depth information.

Paul and Charlie would like to thank all of the people at Port Lincoln and Port MacDonnell for assisting to deploy the satellite tags on pelagic sharks in 2008 and 2009. We also thank the fishing companies who have provided valuable logistical support and the recreational and commercial fishers who have provided biological samples.

Project Sponsors

This project is currently supported by SARDI Aquatic Sciences, Flinders University of South Australia, Marine Innovations South Australia, and Department for Environment and Heritage.

• The presentation of data here does not constitute publication. All data remain copyright of the project partners. Maps or data on this website may not be used or referenced without explicit written consent.
• For more information please visit the project website.

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