SoMAS - Emerging Satellite Telemetry Applications in Shark Conservation and Management

Dr. Tobey Curtis, a Fishery Management Specialist in NOAA's Atlantic Highly Migratory Species Division, speaks to SoMAS at the Oceans, Sustainability, and Atmospheres Colloquium on Friday March 29, 2024 on the topic ''Emerging Satellite Telemetry Applications in Shark Conservation and Management''
Satellite telemetry has become a common tool in elasmobranch research for addressing a wide variety of ecological, physiological, and conservation questions. The numbers of telemetry studies on species subject to fisheries catch is growing at a rapid pace. Results can be very informative in supporting and evaluating fisheries management strategies. This is especially true for spatial management applications such as Essential Fish Habitat, stock identification, and closed area assessment. However, comparatively few studies have generated data that can more directly inform the stock assessment process that serves as a foundation for U.S. fisheries management. I will review recent advancements with illustrative case studies demonstrating how satellite telemetry can be used to estimate bycatch risk, catchability, post-release mortality, and fishing (F) mortality rates. Additionally, species distribution models generated from telemetry data can be used to improve indices of abundance, and help predict climate-influenced shifts in distribution that may have ramifications for fisheries.
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