Nocturnal Shark Tagging in Biscayne Bay
DISCOVERY Vessel M-Powered
Biscayne Bay, FL
January 23, 2021
On January 23rd, 2021, The International SeaKeepers Society assisted the Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences Shark Research and Conservation lab (SRC) in conducting field research in the waters of Biscayne Bay, FL aboard DISCOVERY Vessel M-Powered, a 24’ Sailfish center console. SRC members, Abby Tinari, Victor Bach, Alex Anstett, and Sander Elliott deployed a series of drum lines for the purpose of shark tagging and taking other physiological data from the hours of 8:00 pm to 1:00 am in an area of Biscayne Bay called Norris Cut; a channel just south of Fisher Island. In total, five sharks were caught (three black tip sharks, a lemon shark, and a nurse shark) providing data for three different species in the area. This project investigates the impact that increased urbanization and associated human activity has on fish feeding behavior. Coastal marine habitats in close proximity to increased human populations are subject to alterations in habitat quality and species composition which can cause changes to occur throughout the ecosystem at various trophic levels.
Partner Sites
Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science University of Miami
