Oral Presentation Australian Society of Fish Biology and Oceania Chondrichthyan Society Conference 2016

Chasing sharks to change management (#5)

Michelle Heupel 1
  1. James Cook University, Townsville, QLD, Australia

Sharks have been exploited by man for centuries. They are used as a source of food and other products in most regions around the world. In recent decades the demand for shark products, especially meat and fins has resulted in the significant decline of many species caught by fisheries. The ability of sharks to sustain exploitation varies among species and depends on a range of biological and ecological characteristics. One of these key characteristics is movement, and it can be used to improve management of sharks. Acoustic telemetry has been used for decades to answer questions about where fish go and what they are doing in specific locations. However, links between movement ecology and management are not always apparent or explored. My research has focused on how movement ecology can be applied to conservation and management of shark populations. In this talk I will provide a number of case studies where I have used acoustic tracking data to help inform stock assessments, advise on marine protected area management, inform coastal water management and quantify cross-jurisdictional movements. The outcomes of this research will demonstrate the utility of acoustic telemetry to improving the management of sharks to help address the increasing conservation needs of many species and aid in their sustainable use.