A paper published in the journal Conservation Science and Practice details the probable discovery of a nursery area for Great hammerhead (Sphyrna mokarran) sharks near Miami, Florida. This discovery has significant implications for the conservation management of sharks in the area.
Through years of protecting great white sharks off the coast of California in addition to tagging and tracking programs, scientists have zeroed in on several great white shark nurseries off California. For years and years the sharks were a rare sight off the coast, then, in 2015 regular ocean visitors started seeing them frequently. The majority of these sharks were juveniles (5-8 feet) and showed no aggressive behavior. Image from Shutterstock
Through a manta ray tagging program, scientists have recently confirmed the location of a manta ray nursery in southeast asia’s Wayag Lagoon of Raja Ampat. Conservation International, the Indonesian Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries, the Indonesian Institute of Sciences, S.E.A. Aquarium, and Manta Trust have been fitting manta rays in southeast asia with satellite tags since 2014. They are just now learning the secrets of the manta rays of this area.