A young shortfin mako shark, a critically endangered shark species, has been tagged for the first time in the Mediterranean Sea by researchers from Virginia Tech in the United States, a statement by the university said.
The young shark was tagged by the researchers in the summer of 2023, during a research expedition for the white shark in the region.
“During that research trip, we encountered a young shortfin mako shark by happenstance,” Brendan Shea, a PhD student in the College of Natural Resources and Environment, was quoted by the statement.
“We placed an electronic tag on it, which provides valuable information about its movements, helping us understand how to better conserve the population,” Shea added.
The tag used by the team used is called a ‘pop-off archival tag’. It collects and stores data on water temperature, depth, and ambient light levels. This data helps the researchers estimate the shark’s location and understand its movements. The tag detaches after a set period or if the shark dives too deep – more than 1,800 metres – and then transmits the data back to a satellite.
Shea said the tags provided valuable information about where the animals travelled. “This makes conserving them easier. We need to do more tagging, but this is a great starting point,” he added.
The researchers found that the young mako traveled more than 750 miles in 54 days, even though it was likely only one or two years old. This means that protecting nursery areas might not be enough because these young sharks travel so far, noted the statement.
“Sharks play a crucial role in the health of our oceans,” Shea said. “A healthy ocean supports various human activities, so understanding and conserving shark populations benefits everyone. Understanding the three-dimensional movement of sharks helps us know how they connect different habitats and their role in the ecosystem. This data also informs us about the depths they occupy, which is vital for conservation efforts.”