Habitat utilization, movement patterns, and post-release survivorship of porbeagle sharks (Lamna nasus) captured on
longline in the North Atlantic.
PI: Gregory Skomal, Lisa Natanson, Nancy Kohler, Diego Bernal and Chugey Sepulveda
PROJECT DESCRIPTION:
The primary objective of the proposed study is to deploy pop-up archival transmitting (PAT) tags to examine the migratory routes,
potential nursery areas, swimming behaviour, and environmental associations that characterize habitat utilization by the porbeagle
shark.
Progress during the first six months:
To date, the study is moving forward as proposed. During this reporting period, 20 PAT tags were purchased and programmed for deployment in November, 2006. The pelagic longliner F/V Eagle Eye II has been contracted to catch porbeagle sharks; deployment is currently scheduled for the period of November 18-27, 2006.
Plans for the next six months to year:
Tags will be deployed in late November, 2006 and pop-up dates will span the period March-November, 2007. Tags will be programmed to release after tagging over the following year in three groups of six/seven at intervals of four months (i.e., first release March, second release in July, and final release in November). Subsequent analyses of PAT tag data will be conducted as information is collected through 2007 and during early 2008. Project completion is expected by June, 2008. Results of the study will be disseminated at scientific meetings and through peer-reviewed scientific journals.
