Support for a Black-tip shark (Carcharhinus limbatus) nursery area in Pine Island Sound and the surrounding islands

 

Introduction

We used a system that consisted of a crab trap with a video camera connected on top to video tape shark species in the surf zone of Captiva Island. We also used a Rod and Reel system of catching sharks to catch, tag, and release sharks to get a identification and tracking database of sharks.

We used both of these methods to help further provide evidence of Keeney, D.B., Heupel, M., Hueter, R.E. Investigation of nursery areas for blacktip sharks in Pine Island Sound.

(Keeney, D.B., Heupel, M., Hueter, R.E. et al. Marine Biology (2003) 143: 1039. doi:10.1007/s00227-003-1166-9)

 

Data and Observations

On our video camera setup we got video of two blacktip sharks in the surf zone of Captiva Island. Both sharks passed the camera approximately 5 seconds apart. The water was murky so we did not get the greatest view of how big the shark was however, they were definitely Juvenile and could not have been more than 2 1/2ft in length. On our rod and reel style fishing set up we caught a juvenile blacktip shark that was an estimated 2 1/2ft in length. 

 

Conclusion

 Seeing these two juvenile blacktip sharks and catching a blacktip shark around 2 1/2ft supports the evidence found from Keeney, D.B., Heupel, M., Hueter, R.E. that shows that Pine Island Sound is a nursery area for blacktip sharks. Also, agreeing with there studies, we think that this area should be managed separately from usual Florida management of blacktip sharks. Blacktip sharks are allowed to be caught and killed in Florida at any size. We think that blacktip sharks should be completely protected in Pine Island Sound and within state water limits from the most southern tip of Sanibel Island to the most northern tip of Boca Grande/Gasparilla Island.  

 

References 

Keeney, D.B., Heupel, M., Hueter, R.E. et al. Marine Biology (2003) 143: 1039. doi:10.1007/s00227-003-1166-9

 

http://m.myfwc.com/fishing/saltwater/recreational/sharks/

 

http://m.myfwc.com/research/saltwater/sharks-rays/shark-species/blacktip/