Semester Award Granted
Spring 2025
Submission Date
May 2025
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science (MS)
Thesis/Dissertation Advisor [Chair]
Stephen Kajiura
Abstract
Blacktip sharks (Carcharhinus limbatus) in the Western Atlantic migrate annually to spend the winter in waters off the coast of southeastern Florida. In the spring, these sharks migrate north to waters ranging as far north as Long Island, New York. This study was based on spatial data collected by SPOT (Smart Position and Temperature) tags deployed on blacktip sharks from 2017 to 2024. The data from the tags were used to investigate the offshore extent of the migration, the thermal preferences of these sharks, and which environmental variables can be used to predict their latitudinal distribution. Most blacktip detections were confined to shallow waters over the continental shelf. Blacktip sharks spent the greatest percentage of their time in waters between 20°C and 25°C. Julian date, which was used to represent photoperiod, was the best predictor of shark latitudinal distribution, followed by sea-surface-temperature, and chlorophyll.
Recommended Citation
Tuszynski, Isaac, "SPOT (SMART POSITION AND TEMPERATURE) TAGGING REVEALS ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS THAT SHAPE BLACKTIP SHARK (CARCHARHINUS LIMBATUS) ANNUAL MIGRATIONS." (2025). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. 17.
https://digitalcommons.fau.edu/etd_general/17