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Coastal Habitat Use and Residency of Juvenile Atlantic Sharpnose Sharks (Rhizoprionodon terraenovae)

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Abstract

Coastal habitat use and residency of a coastal bay by juvenile Atlantic sharpnose sharks, Rhizoprionodon terraenovae, were examined by acoustic monitoring, gillnet sampling, and conventional tag–recapture. Acoustic monitoring data were used to define the residency and movement patterns of sharks within Crooked Island Sound, Florida. Over 3 years, sharks were monitored for periods of 1–37 days, with individuals regularly moving in and out of the study site. Individual sharks were continuously present within the study site for periods of 1–35 days. Patterns of movement could not be correlated with time of day. Home range sizes were typically small (average = 1.29 km2) and did not vary on a yearly basis. Gillnet sampling revealed that juvenile Atlantic sharpnose sharks were present in all habitat types found within Crooked Island Sound, and peaks in abundance varied depending on month within a year. Although telemetry data showed that most individuals remained within the study site for short periods of time before emigrating, conventional tag–recapture data indicates some individuals return to Crooked Island Sound after extended absences (maximum length = 1,352 days). Although conventional shark nursery theory suggests small sharks remain in shallow coastal waters to avoid predation, juvenile Atlantic sharpnose sharks frequently exited from protected areas and appear to move through deeper waters to adjacent coastal bays and estuaries. Given the high productivity exhibited by this species, the benefit gained through a nursery that reduces predation may be limited for this species.

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Acknowledgments

We thank all the 2004–2006 Shark Population Assessment Group interns for long, unpaid hours in the field cleaning and assisting in the downloading of data from the VR2s. Colin Simpfendorfer developed the computer software used to analyze data from this study. Pete Sheridan, Ed Houde, and two anonymous referees made valuable comments and suggestions on earlier drafts of this manuscript. We also thank Panama City Laboratory NOAA Divers J. Brusher, A. David, D. Devries, B. Fable, C. Gardner, LT A. Middlemiss, S. Matthews, and LT J. Taylor in aiding in the deployment and recovery of receivers. The NOAA Fisheries Service-Highly Migratory Species Office provided funding for this project.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. NOAA, National Marine Fisheries Service, Southeast Fisheries Science Center, 3500 Delwood Beach Road, Panama City, FL, 32408, USA

    John K. Carlson, Dana M. Bethea & Lisa D. Hollensead

  2. Center for Shark Research, Mote Marine Laboratory, 1600 Ken Thompson Parkway, Sarasota, FL, 34236, USA

    Michelle R. Heupel

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  1. John K. Carlson
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  2. Michelle R. Heupel
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  3. Dana M. Bethea
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  4. Lisa D. Hollensead
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Correspondence to John K. Carlson.

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Carlson, J.K., Heupel, M.R., Bethea, D.M. et al. Coastal Habitat Use and Residency of Juvenile Atlantic Sharpnose Sharks (Rhizoprionodon terraenovae). Estuaries and Coasts 31, 931–940 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12237-008-9075-2

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