MATOS - Mid-Atlantic Acoustic Telemetry Observation System

Project Title: Rhode Island Division of Marine Fisheries Movement Ecology of Recreationally-Significant Coastal Sharks in Southern New England

MATOS Project Code: RICSS

Data Type: Tracker

Project Duration: January 2020 - December 2025

Project Description: Coastal pelagic sharks are keystone species in regulating lower tropic levels, serving an important service in marine ecosystems. As top predators and larger fish, these species have also been long sought after by recreational fishers throughout the eastern United States, including Rhode Island. These and other species have supported pastimes of recreational fishing amongst avid anglers for leisure, as well as support party and charter businesses and shark diving tours during certain times of the year. This work aims to improve our understanding of these species movement and occupancy within certain areas of Southern New England, including Rhode Island state waters.

Objectives:

Where applicable, use movement data to inform public safety measures
Improve scientific understanding of coastal shark ecology in Southern New England

Principal Investigator:	Tara Plee (Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management, Division of Marine Fisheries)
Email:	Tara.Plee@dem.ri.gov

Point of Contact:	Tara Plee
Email:	Tara.Plee@dem.ri.gov

Collaborators:

Conor McManus (NOAA NEFSC)
Pat Brown (RI DEM DMF)
Jon Dodd (ASI)

Participating Organizations:

Atlantic Shark Institute
RI DEM Division of Marine Fisheries

External URL: http://www.dem.ri.gov/programs/marine-fisheries/

RIDEM DMF Coastal Shark Tagging Study