An examination of the effects of dorsal fin-mounted SPOT on carcharodon carcharias, the great white shark
OA Version
Citation
G.L. Hicks, P.S. Lobel. 2024. "An Examination of the Effects of Dorsal Fin-Mounted SPOT on Carcharodon carcharias, the Great White Shark" Fishes, Volume 9, Issue 6, pp.231-231. https://doi.org/10.3390/fishes9060231
Abstract
This opinion piece presents empirical evidence to examine possible negative consequences of the use of penetrative tagging as used on the great white shark (GWS). Tagging programs currently using this method attach SPOT (Spatial Positioning Only Tags) using corrodible bolts inserted through the dorsal fin while the shark is taken out of water. Such methods can cause harm to the tagged individual. Possible adverse effects include impacts on growth, tag biofouling, wounds, heightened stress, and hemorrhaging. This method may adversely impact dorsal fin structure and the shark’s hydrodynamics. As a result, data collected may not be reflective of natural behavior. Bolted SPOT are semi-permanently affixed to the shark but can have a battery life of approximately 3.5 years. Most of these tags (69%) ceased transmitting in less than 2 years. Alternative tagging technologies exist as more humane options.
Description
License
Copyright: © 2024 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).