Use of marine protected areas and exclusive economic zones in the subtropical western North Atlantic Ocean by large highly mobile sharks

• DOI: 10.1111/ddi.12425
• Publication Date: 2016-02-05T08:28:01Z
• Authors: Fiona Graham; Patrick Rynne; Maria Estevanez; Jiangang Luo; Jerald S. Ault; Neil Hammerschlag
• Keywords: Exclusive economic zone; Marine protected area; Tiger; Bycatch; Marine reserve; Carcharhinus

Abstract Study aim and location Many populations of highly mobile marine fishes, including large sharks, are experiencing declines. The benefits spatial management zones, such as protected areas ( MPA s), for animals unclear. To help fill this knowledge gap, we examined core habitat use CHUA s) bull Carcharhinus leucas ), great hammerhead Sphyrna mokarran ) tiger sharks Galeocerdo cuvier in relation to specific s exclusive economic zones EEZ the western North Atlantic Ocean. Methods Bull, N = 86 total) were satellite tagged tracked southern Florida northern Bahamas between 2010 2013. Filtered regularized positions from Argos locations tag transmissions used generate these sharks. Overlaps with regional quantified determine proportion each shark's under protection exploitation. Results A total 0%, 17.9% 34.7% bull, respectively, fully exploitation study area. Main conclusions Expansion include U.S. territorial waters would effectively protect 100% all This finding is particularly significant which currently overfished, vulnerable bycatch mortality focus strident conservation efforts. These findings also provide a means inform decision makers planning efforts types actions available potential efficacy protections predators.