Your browser doesn't support javascript.
loading
The impact of injury on apparent survival of whale sharks (Rhincodon typus) in South Ari Atoll Marine Protected Area, Maldives.
Harvey-Carroll, Jessica; Stewart, Joshua D; Carroll, Daire; Mohamed, Basith; Shameel, Ibrahim; Zareer, Irthisham H; Araujo, Gonzalo; Rees, Richard.
Afiliação
  • Harvey-Carroll J; Maldives Whale Shark Research Programme (MWSRP), South Ari Atoll, Maldives. jessica-lily@maldiveswhalesharkresearch.org.
  • Stewart JD; School of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, UK. jessica-lily@maldiveswhalesharkresearch.org.
  • Carroll D; The Manta Trust, Dorchester, UK.
  • Mohamed B; Maldives Whale Shark Research Programme (MWSRP), South Ari Atoll, Maldives.
  • Shameel I; The James Hutton Institute, Dundee, UK.
  • Zareer IH; The University of Warwick, School of Life Science, Coventry, UK.
  • Araujo G; Maldives Whale Shark Research Programme (MWSRP), South Ari Atoll, Maldives.
  • Rees R; Maldives Whale Shark Research Programme (MWSRP), South Ari Atoll, Maldives.
Sci Rep ; 11(1): 937, 2021 01 13.
Article em En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-33441580
ABSTRACT
The whale shark (Rhincodon typus) is an endangered species with a declining global population. The South Ari Atoll Marine Protected Area (SAMPA), Maldives, is one of few locations globally where year-long residency of individuals occurs. This SAMPA aggregation appears to consist almost exclusively of immature males. Due to its year-round residency, this local aggregation is subjected to a high degree of tourism pressure. This ecotourism contributes to the high level of interest and protection offered to whale sharks by the local community. Unfortunately, if regulations are not followed or enforced, tourism can bring with it major stressors, such as accidental injuries. We used POPAN capture-mark-recapture models and lagged identification rate analysis to assess the effect of major injuries on whale shark residency within SAMPA. Injuries may be obtained outside SAMPA. We found individuals with major injuries had a higher apparent survival in the area than those without. Lagged identification rates also demonstrated that sharks with major injuries are more likely to return to the area. We suggest that major injuries result in sharks prolonging their time in the developmental habitat. These findings have implications for individual fitness and the population viability of this endangered species. We propose targeted conservation strategies be considered to protect sharks from further injury. Based on the presented spatio-temporal distributions of sharks, and current local knowledge of sighting patterns, speed limit zones and propeller-exclusion zones should be implemented and enforced. If carried out alongside tourist education, these measures will contribute to the protection of whale sharks within SAMPA and beyond. Furthermore, our results can aid research direction, alongside regulation and enforcement development, at similar sites worldwide.
Assuntos

Texto completo: 1 Coleções: 01-internacional Base de dados: MEDLINE Assunto principal: Tubarões / Mortalidade Tipo de estudo: Prognostic_studies Limite: Animals Idioma: En Revista: Sci Rep Ano de publicação: 2021 Tipo de documento: Article País de afiliação: Maldivas

Texto completo: 1 Coleções: 01-internacional Base de dados: MEDLINE Assunto principal: Tubarões / Mortalidade Tipo de estudo: Prognostic_studies Limite: Animals Idioma: En Revista: Sci Rep Ano de publicação: 2021 Tipo de documento: Article País de afiliação: Maldivas