Resource information research on the blacktip shark and other coastal sharks by the Center for Shark Research, 2000-2001. Final report.

Abstract

This report describes activities of the Center for Shark Research to conduct scientific studies on sharks and to collect biological data in order to manage shark fisheries. The primary emphasis of this research and information program involved biological assessments of sharks as a fishery resource. The project addressed major gaps in the resource information base for the blacktip shark, a common large coastal shark species inhabiting nearshore waters of the U.S. east coast. The primary research activities involved new studies on the stock structure, life history, ecology and population biology of the blacktip shark and other large and small coastal sharks. This research was primarily conducted in the Gulf of Mexico off the U.S. coast (Florida and Texas), along the U.S. southeastern Atlantic coast (South Carolina) and along the Mexican Gulf coasts of Tamaulipas and Quintana Roo. New technology in the form of archival and satellite tags were deployed on large sharks of the region. The activities increased public understanding and communication of information on sharks and increased national and international exchanges on issues relating to shark biology. The activities significantly advanced the course of shark research and fisheries conservation and management.