In oceanic ecosystems, large sharks function as top predators, and their abundance and distribution patterns may have cascading effects on the ecosystems they inhabit.  Sharks are typically slow growing, long lived species that may use a variety of habitats over broad spatial scales.  Their life history characteristics leave them vulnerable to exploitation and many shark populations worldwide are in decline.  In the Gulf of Mexico, declines of both oceanic and coastal shark populations have been reported.  This trend is disturbing because many shark populations have continued to decline despite the mandate to incorporate Essential Fish Habitat (EFH) in all Fishery Management Plans. This Act requires the development of fishery management plans that identify essential fish habitat, defined as those waters and substrate necessary to fish for spawning, breeding, feeding, growth, and maturity.

The population status of many shark populations is unknown and this can impede sustainable management of these species. This project will examine shark distribution, feeding habitats and movement patterns of sharks in the Padre Island National Seashore.  This area supports a substantial recreational fishery although anecdotal evidence suggests that the shark resource in this area may be declining.  Thus, examination of this region provides both theoretical and applied information that can be used immediately to improve management strategies within the Park.  This project will use creel surveys, stomach content analysis, and movement patterns to assess the current condition of the PINS shark population and patterns of habitat usage. We will also determine the level of recreational fishing use of PINS waters, and lay the groundwork for more detailed, strategic research on habitat use of sharks in PINS.  These data will generate much needed information on the ecology of sharks using PINS.  A major focus of this study will address the potential for PINS, and its associated estuaries, to function as essential fish habitat for several shark species.

Padre Island National Seashore