Using Sound Tracking to Help Manage Basking Shark Populations

Jim Crocker
13th July, 2024

Using Sound Tracking to Help Manage Basking Shark Populations

This study tracked the movements of Basking Sharks (Cetorhinus maximus) using a broadscale, collaborative network of acoustic receivers from the SeaMonitor project (red) and other partner projects (blue) spanning the coastal waters of Ireland and the UK, including the Sea of the Hebrides Marine Protected Area (yellow).

Image adapted from: Thorburn et al. / CC BY (Source)

Key Findings

  • Researchers from Queen’s University Belfast used acoustic telemetry to track basking sharks in the coastal waters of Ireland, Northern Ireland, and Scotland
  • They tagged 35 basking sharks and detected 27 of them across 96 receiver stations, showing the feasibility of using broadscale acoustic arrays for monitoring
  • The study found that some sharks returned to the same locations over two years, indicating inter-annual site fidelity and potential social coordination
Basking sharks (Cetorhinus maximus), the world's second-largest fish species, have long fascinated marine biologists due to their extensive migratory behaviors and the challenges associated with tracking their movements. Recent research conducted by Queen’s University Belfast has made significant strides in this area by using acoustic telemetry to monitor these elusive creatures across the coastal waters of Ireland, Northern Ireland, and Scotland[1]. The study aimed to address the difficulties associated with deploying species-specific arrays over vast areas to gather data on highly migratory vertebrates. Acoustic telemetry, a method that uses sound waves to transmit data from tagged animals to receiver stations, was employed to track the movements of 35 basking sharks tagged off the west coast of Ireland during 2021 and 2022. The results were promising: 27 of these sharks were detected by 96 receiver stations across nine different arrays, with individual sharks being detected up to 216 times (mean = 84, s.d. 65). This study is particularly significant because it demonstrates the feasibility of using broadscale, multi-project acoustic receiver arrays to monitor the movements of highly mobile species like basking sharks. On average, the tagged sharks spent about one day at each acoustic array, with some exhibiting discrete residency periods of up to nine days. Furthermore, 21 sharks were detected at multiple arrays, showing evidence of inter-annual site fidelity, meaning the same individuals returned to the same locations in Ireland and Scotland over two years. Interestingly, eight pairs of sharks were detected within 24 hours of each other at consecutive arrays, suggesting some level of social coordination and synchronized movement. The findings from this study align with earlier research that highlights the importance of understanding the movement patterns of marine predators for effective conservation. For example, a study on the movement strategies of basking sharks in the north-east Atlantic revealed that these sharks exhibit varying migration behaviors, moving across multiple geopolitical zones and utilizing both continental shelf areas and oceanic habitats[2]. The current study's use of acoustic telemetry provides a more detailed and dynamic understanding of these movements, offering a more comprehensive picture of basking shark behavior. Additionally, the study's implications extend beyond basking sharks. The use of multi-project acoustic telemetry can be a valuable tool for monitoring other highly migratory marine species. Previous research on the migration patterns of pelagic marine predators, such as those in the California Current large marine ecosystem, has shown that these animals exploit their environment in predictable ways, driven by oceanic processes, thermal tolerances, and prey distributions[3]. The current study's methodology could similarly be applied to these species, providing critical data for spatial management and conservation efforts. The success of this project underscores the importance of international collaboration and the establishment of cross-border management strategies. Effective conservation of highly migratory species like basking sharks requires coordinated efforts across jurisdictions to establish the necessary infrastructure and secure ongoing support. The study's findings support the idea that multi-national cooperation is essential for the management and protection of these animals, as evidenced by the need for collaborative efforts to manage the basking shark population across its range[2][4]. In conclusion, the use of acoustic telemetry by Queen’s University Belfast has provided valuable insights into the movement patterns and behaviors of basking sharks in the coastal waters of Ireland, Northern Ireland, and Scotland. This research not only advances our understanding of this endangered species but also highlights the potential for using similar methodologies to monitor other highly migratory marine species. The study emphasizes the need for international collaboration and cross-border management strategies to ensure the effective conservation of these animals, thereby contributing to the broader goal of preserving marine biodiversity.

EnvironmentAnimal ScienceMarine Biology

References

Main Study

1) Assessing the potential of acoustic telemetry to underpin the regional management of basking sharks (Cetorhinus maximus)

Published 12th July, 2024

https://doi.org/10.1186/s40317-024-00370-5

Related Studies

2) Long-term satellite tracking reveals variable seasonal migration strategies of basking sharks in the north-east Atlantic.

https://doi.org/10.1038/srep42837

3) Tracking apex marine predator movements in a dynamic ocean.

https://doi.org/10.1038/nature10082

4) Use of Photo-Identification and Mark-Recapture Methodology to Assess Basking Shark (Cetorhinus maximus) Populations.

https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0150160


Related Articles

An unhandled error has occurred. Reload 🗙