Satellite tracking of highly migratory sharks in the northern Gulf of Mexico
A project of LA Dept. of Wildlife & Fisheries in conjunction with the partners and sponsors detailed below.
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| Name | Species | Life Stage | Release Date | Last Location | Days Transmitted |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alexandra | Tiger Shark | adult | 2012-09-18 | 2013-01-21 | 125 |
| Algernon | Scalloped Hammerhead | sub-adult | 2012-08-19 | 2012-12-17 | 120 |
| Aubie | Tiger Shark | adult | 2012-08-22 | 2012-09-13 | 22 |
| Darrell | Great Hammerhead | sub-adult | 2012-09-19 | 2012-10-12 | 23 |
| Gary | Tiger Shark | n/a | 2013-08-19 | 2013-04-03 | -138 |
| George | Scalloped Hammerhead | adult | 2012-09-18 | 2013-07-05 | 290 |
| Haley | Tiger Shark | n/a | 2013-09-11 | 2013-11-02 | 52 |
| Layla | Tiger Shark | adult | 2012-08-22 | 2012-09-17 | 26 |
| Loba | Tiger Shark | n/a | 2013-09-11 | 2013-11-07 | 57 |
| Ronnie | Tiger Shark | sub-adult | 2012-09-27 | 2013-01-07 | 102 |
| Slick | Great Hammerhead | adult | 2012-09-06 | 2013-10-11 | 400 |
| Stella | Scalloped Hammerhead | n/a | 2013-08-24 | 2013-09-19 | 26 |
| Stumpy | Tiger Shark | adult | 2012-08-13 | 2012-09-12 | 30 |
| Susan | Great Hammerhead | adult | 2012-09-25 | 2012-10-14 | 19 |
| Tucker | Tiger Shark | n/a | 2013-08-22 | 2013-09-18 | 27 |
Click on an animal's name for maps and more information.
Introduction
Despite strict management strategies, several highly migratory shark species, including dusky, scalloped hammerhead, and tiger shark, exhibit continued declines in population numbers in the western North Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico. Due to their important roles as apex predators in the Gulf of Mexico pelagic ecosystem, it is critical that the behavior, distribution and habitat preferences of these shark species are assessed and monitored. Whale sharks seasonally occur in the waters of the north Gulf of Mexico as well; however, detailed information on habitat use and movement patterns in the region are poorly understood. Information is needed to better understand the movement patterns and essential habitat requirements of these important members of marine food webs.
The Louisiana Department of Wildlife & Fisheries is working together with scientists at the National Marine Fisheries Service, Southeast Fisheries Science Center, Mississippi Laboratories and the University of Southern Mississippiâs Gulf Coast Research Laboratory to study the movements of highly migratory shark species in the northern Gulf of Mexico. The overall goal of the proposed study is to use satellite tag technology to determine movements, distribution and essential habitat requirements of several shark species in the Gulf of Mexico. Over the next three years, we plan to deploy 100 position only satellite tags (both fin-mounted and towable) on several shark species including whale, hammerheads (great and scalloped), tiger, bull, dusky, silky, spinner, and blacktip sharks in northern Gulf of Mexico waters.
Project Partners
National Marine Fisheries Service, Southeast Fisheries Science Center, Mississippi Laboratories
University of Southern Mississippiâs Gulf Coast Research Laboratory
