Seasonal changes in depth distribution of salmon sharks (Lamna ditropis) in Alaskan waters: implications for foraging ecology

The salmon shark, Lamna ditropis, is an endothermic, apex predator in the productive waters of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). To understand their role in these productive habitats and to identify and better understand their interactions with commercially important species and fisheries, detailed informat...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Canadian journal of fisheries and aquatic sciences 2011-11, Vol.68 (11), p.1905-1921
Main Authors: CARLISLE, Aaron B, PERLE, Christopher R, GOLDMAN, Kenneth J, BLOCK, Barbara A
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Agnatha. Pisces
Animal, plant and microbial ecology
Applied ecology
Biological and medical sciences
Distribution
Environmental aspects
Exploitation and management of natural biological resources (hunting, fishing and exploited populations survey, etc.)
Fisheries
Fishery management
Foraging behavior
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Habitats
Lamna ditropis
Marine
Marine ecology
Oceanography
Oncorhynchus
Prey
Salmon
Salmonidae
Sharks
Theragra chalcogramma
Vertebrates: general zoology, morphology, phylogeny, systematics, cytogenetics, geographical distribution
Vertical distribution
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Summary:The salmon shark, Lamna ditropis, is an endothermic, apex predator in the productive waters of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). To understand their role in these productive habitats and to identify and better understand their interactions with commercially important species and fisheries, detailed information regarding the distribution of the salmon shark is required. Archival data records from eight recovered pop-up archival transmitting (PAT) tags were analyzed to examine the geographic and vertical distribution of female salmon sharks and elucidate how their distribution changes in relation to the biotic and abiotic environment. Tagged sharks used the neritic habitats of the GOA for the duration of the PAT deployments. Sharks exhibited a diel periodicity in their dive behavior. Salmon sharks exhibited three different patterns of depth distribution (behavioral modes) that occurred during distinct oceanographic seasons, likely reflecting changes in their foraging ecology in response to seasonal changes in the distribution and availability of important prey. The distribution of salmon sharks in the GOA appears to follow consistent patterns and has a high degree of geographical and vertical overlap with commercially important prey species. This information increases our understanding of interactions between salmon sharks and commercial fisheries and may assist in fostering responsible management for this species.
ISSN:0706-652X
1205-7533
DOI:10.1139/f2011-105