Using telemetry, bio-logging and modelling to understand shark behaviour

Speaker: Yannis Papastamatiou (MASTS – University of St.Andrews)

Abstract

Telemetry has provided much insight into the horizontal and vertical movements patterns of sharks, but far less is known about the mechanisms or behaviors driving these movements.  We used a combination of passive acoustic and satellite telemetry, in conjunction with Brownian bridge movement modelling to investigate movements of tiger sharks in the Hawaiian Islands.  Result suggests that tiger sharks in Hawaii perform complex patterns of partial migration including skipped breeding related movements, and individual decisions related to foraging.  I will then describe a variety of new ‘ecological’ tags which can be used to directly measure behaviour/physiology and their utilization in on-going studies with predators at Palmyra Atoll aimed at determining the factors driving diel behaviors (e.g. central place refuging) and macro-habitat selection.