By University of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric, and Earth Science
September 28, 2023
In spite of metropolitan seaside contamination, sharks, including bull, nurse, and excellent hammerhead, are often discovered near cities like Miami. In a brand-new research study led by scientists at the University of Miami (UM) Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science, scientists tracked the motions of 3 shark types, bull, nurse, and fantastic hammerhead, in relation to the city of Miami.” Few studies have investigated the movements of ocean predators in relation to urbanization, but since other research studies have actually shown that land predators are urban avoiders, we expected sharks to be too,” stated Neil Hammerschlag, director of the UM Shark Research and Conservation Program and lead author of the research study. The fairly high usage of urban-impacted areas by the tracked sharks might have consequences for both sharks and people. While shark bites on people are rare, the research study likewise identifies locations close to shore that might be avoided by human water users to decrease likelihood of an unfavorable shark encounter, promoting human-shark coexistence.
An excellent hammerhead checking out the shallows off Miami Beach cruises under a swimmer. Credit: JMac/ Jason McIntosh
Ramifications for Sharks and Humans
The fairly high usage of urban-impacted locations by the tracked sharks might have repercussions for both people and sharks. “By investing a lot time close to coast, sharks are at threat of exposure to poisonous contaminants in addition to fishing, which might affect their health and survival,” said Hammerschlag. While shark bites on human beings are rare, the research study likewise pinpoints locations near shore that could be avoided by human water users to minimize possibility of a negative shark encounter, promoting human-shark coexistence.
Reference: “Urban Sharks: Residency patterns of marine leading predators in relation to a coastal metropolitan area” by Neil Hammerschlag, Lee F. G. Gutowsky, Mitchell J. Rider, Robert Roemer and Austin J. Gallagher, 16 June 2022, Marine Ecology Progress Series.DOI: 10.3354/ meps14086.
The research studys authors consist of: Neil Hammerschlag, Mitchell Rider from the UM Rosenstiel School, and Robbie Roemer, from Ocearch; Austin J. Gallagher from Beneath the Waves; and Lee Gutowsky from Trent University.
This research was funded through support from the Ocean Tracking Network, the Disney Conservation Fund, the Save Our Seas Foundation, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Southeast Fisheries Science Center, the Batchelor Foundation, the Herbert W. Hoover Foundation, Ruta Maya Coffee, the International Seakeepers Society, and through a grant Implementing a Marine Biodiversity Observation Network (MBON) in South Florida to Advance Ecosystem-Based Management moneyed under the National Oceanographic Partnership Program (NOPP, RFP ONR BAA #N 00014-18-S-B007, in collaboration with NOAA, BOEM, and NASA) and the US Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS) Program Office.
Despite urban coastal contamination, sharks, consisting of bull, nurse, and excellent hammerhead, are often discovered near cities like Miami. This habits could expose them to health risks but also uses insights into lowering human-shark disputes. Credit: JMac/ Jason McIntosh
Unlike huge land predators, the oceans top predators do not avoid urban areas.
The worlds shorelines are quickly urbanizing, but how this increased human existence might impact species living in the ocean is not fully comprehended. In a new study led by scientists at the University of Miami (UM) Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science, scientists tracked the movements of three shark types, bull, nurse, and fantastic hammerhead, in relation to the city of Miami. Provided the sound, chemical, and light contamination emanating from the seaside metropolis, scientists expected sharks to avoid areas near to the city, but thats not what they discovered.
Researchers launch an acoustically tagged nurse shark into waters off Miami, Florida, to examine shark residency patterns in relation to seaside urbanization. Credit: Robbie Roemer
Animal Adaptations to Urban Environments
Some animals, such as pigeons and racoons, flourish in cities. These species, referred to as “urban exploiters,” typically end up being reliant on human trash for food. Other animals, understood as “city adapters,” might show some use of urbanized locations, but still mainly count on natural areas. On the other hand, some types such as land predators such as wolves are very sensitive to human disturbance. These “urban avoiders” prevent huge cities.
” Few studies have investigated the motions of ocean predators in relation to urbanization, but because other research studies have actually revealed that land predators are urban avoiders, we anticipated sharks to be too,” stated Neil Hammerschlag, director of the UM Shark Research and Conservation Program and lead author of the study. The scientists concluded that the behaviors of the tracked sharks looked like that of “urban adapters”.
