MATOS - Mid-Atlantic Acoustic Telemetry Observation System

Project Title: Sandbridge Highly Migratory Species: sharks distribution on a dredged shoal

MATOS Project Code: VAHMSSHARK

Data Type: Data

Project Duration: April 2022 - on-going

Project Description: Sandbridge Shoal is a borrow area off of Virginia that is used by multiple stakeholders to rebuild beaches. This area has also been identified as an Essential Fish Habitat (EFH) for many species, including 8 sharks characterized as Highly Migratory Species (HMS). As information about the use of the borrow area by migratory sharks is scarce, and dredging activities are expected to continue during the next few years, research efforts to improve the comprehension of the ecology of these large predators will increase our understanding of the potential effects of dredging and contribute to the eventual implementation of adapted mitigation measures. Similar research is also conducted in a similar shoal (Hens and Chickens Shoal in Delaware) where dredging activities are not conducted. A total of 15 VR2AR VEMCO receivers have been deployed to cover Sandridge Shoal and at least 25 acoustic transmitters are aimed to be deployed on individuals of various shark species in 2022 and 2023.

Objectives:

Characterize the habitat occupancy of Sandbridge Shoal by HMS sharks
Determine the biotic and abiotic factors influencing species occurrence and abundance
Assess how dredging events may impact species composition and presence

Principal Investigator:	Aaron Carlisle (Mid - Atlantic Acoustic Telemetry Observation System)
Email:	carlisle@udel.edu

Point of Contact:	Benjamin Marsaly
Email:	marsaly.benjamin@gmail.com

Collaborators:

Edward Hale (University of Delaware)
Matthew Breece (University of Delaware)

Participating Organizations:

University of Delaware
BOEM

Funding:

BOEM

BOEM-VA: HMS sharks on a dredged shoal