MATOS - Mid-Atlantic Acoustic Telemetry Observation System

Project Title: Pamlico Sound Sharks and Rays

MATOS Project Code: PSRAY

Data Type: Data

Project Duration: May 2019 - October 2019

Project Description: Cownose Rays and juvenile Bull Sharks often occupy similar estuarine habitats despite the rays being potential prey of the sharks. Pamlico Sound, North Carolina hosts a significant but relatively understudied population of Cownose Rays, and juvenile Bull Shark numbers have been increasing in the estuary in association with rising water temperatures. In this project, acoustic telemetry is used to identify movement behavior and key habitat areas within the estuary for both species, and to determine whether these species interact and influence each other's habitat use patterns.

Objectives:

Identify local movement and habitat use patterns
Determine whether rays and sharks occur in the same areas or interact
Determine whether the movements of either species influence the habitat use by the other

Principal Investigator:	Charles Bangley (Smithsonian Environmental Research Center)
Email:	bangleyc@si.edu

Participating Organizations:

Smithsonian Environmental Research Center
North Carolina Aquariums

Funding:

North Carolina Aquarium Society Conservation Grant 2018-09