This monitoring programme focuses on spotted ragged-tooth sharks (Carcharias taurus) within the iSimangaliso Marine Protected Area (MPA). During their annual reproductive migration, large numbers of predominantly pregnant females aggregate at specific reef sites within the MPA. Long-term monitoring is used to track seasonal abundance, habitat use, movement and potential responses to environmental conditions and human activity.
Programme Coordinator: Dr. Welly Qwabe (Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife)
Co-Workers: Grant Smith (Sharklife Conservation Group)
Permit: Ezemvelo Project
Objectives
- Track movement patterns to identify important migration routes and areas of habitat use.
- Monitor seasonal aggregation patterns and relative abundance at key reef sites.
- Examine relationships between shark occurrence and environmental conditions.
- Assess patterns of human activity and potential disturbance at important aggregation sites.
- Provide long-term monitoring data to support adaptive management of key habitats.
Monitoring Importance
Spotted ragged-tooth sharks use a small number of predictable reef sites within the iSimangaliso MPA during an important stage of their reproductive cycle. Long-term monitoring of these aggregations allows changes in abundance, site use and seasonal timing to be tracked, while also helping managers understand how environmental conditions and human activity may influence these habitats.
Monitoring Sites
Key aggregation sites include:
- Quarter Mile Reef: A high-density seasonal aggregation site exposed to regular diving activity.
- Saxon’s Reef: A more remote aggregation site with comparatively low levels of human activity.
- Raggie Reef: A seasonally important aggregation site used for long-term monitoring.
Research Methods
The programme uses a combination of complementary monitoring methods:
- Remote Underwater Video Systems (RUVs): Record seasonal abundance, behaviour and activity at aggregation sites.
- Stereo-BRUVs: Support standardised measurements of relative abundance and body size where appropriate.
- Acoustic Telemetry: Tracks individual movement, residency and connectivity between monitored areas.
- Underwater Visual Census (UVC): Provides direct observations of abundance, size and reproductive condition.
- Environmental Monitoring: Records relevant environmental conditions, including temperature, for comparison with seasonal shark occurrence.
Collaborators
This initiative is a collaboration between Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife, Sharklife Conservation Group and the iSimangaliso Wetland Park Authority, combining management, field and monitoring capacity to support the long-term conservation of spotted ragged-tooth sharks and their important aggregation habitats.