The use and abuse of photographic identification in sharks and rays

The use of photography to discriminate between individuals in a population using natural markings or aberrations is increasingly being utilized to support field research on elasmobranchs. This non‐intrusive method has facilitated investigation of a wide variety of subjects including population compo...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of fish biology 2012-04, Vol.80 (5), p.1361-1379
Main Authors: Marshall, A. D., Pierce, S. J.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animal Identification Systems
Animals
automated matching programmes
Elasmobranchii
individual recognition
Marine
mark-recapture
natural colouration patterns
Photography - standards
Sharks
Skates (Fish)
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Summary:The use of photography to discriminate between individuals in a population using natural markings or aberrations is increasingly being utilized to support field research on elasmobranchs. This non‐intrusive method has facilitated investigation of a wide variety of subjects including population composition, abundance estimates, residency and movement, demography and social behaviours. Here the first detailed review of photo‐identification as a research technique for sharks and rays is provided, and its assumptions, current applications and potential highlighted. The limitations and practical considerations of photographic studies are also investigated with recommendations on initial survey design and ongoing data collection using current technology. Future directions are also explored with an emphasis on a move towards standardized approaches and automated recognition programmes to facilitate global collaborative work.
ISSN:0022-1112
1095-8649
DOI:10.1111/j.1095-8649.2012.03244.x