An integrated baseline assessment of reef-associated sharks around Saba (Dutch Caribbean), combining three methods: stereo-BRUVs, telemetry and citizen science
The Exclusive Economic Zone of Saba (Dutch Windward Islands) has been designated Yarari Marine Mammal and Shark Sanctuary. However, to effectively conserve sharks, a baseline on their diversity and spatiotemporal distribution is required. We used three methods: telemetry, stereo-baited remote underw...
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The Royal Society
2025-07-01
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| Series: | Royal Society Open Science |
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| Online Access: | https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/rsos.241754 |
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| author | Guido Leurs Martin de Graaf Dahlia Hassell-Knijff Larissa Ayumi Kuramae Izioka Wouter van Looijengoed Melanie P. Meijer zu Schlochtern Tadzio Bervoets Leopold A. J. Nagelkerke Hendriks V. Winter |
| author_facet | Guido Leurs Martin de Graaf Dahlia Hassell-Knijff Larissa Ayumi Kuramae Izioka Wouter van Looijengoed Melanie P. Meijer zu Schlochtern Tadzio Bervoets Leopold A. J. Nagelkerke Hendriks V. Winter |
| author_sort | Guido Leurs |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The Exclusive Economic Zone of Saba (Dutch Windward Islands) has been designated Yarari Marine Mammal and Shark Sanctuary. However, to effectively conserve sharks, a baseline on their diversity and spatiotemporal distribution is required. We used three methods: telemetry, stereo-baited remote underwater video systems (stereo-BRUVs) and a citizen science program to study reef-associated sharks, mainly Caribbean reef sharks (Carcharhinus perezi) and nurse sharks (Ginglymostoma cirratum) around Saba during 2012–2020. Based on the stereo-BRUVs, we determined that the presence of Caribbean reef sharks (0.25 ± 0.48 maxN h−1; mean ± s.d.) and nurse sharks (0.20 ± 0.45 maxN h−1) was relatively high compared to other Caribbean coral reef systems. With telemetry, we showed that the residence and fidelity of Caribbean reef sharks were high, especially for immature individuals. In addition, we showed a higher presence of Caribbean reef sharks during December–May and a lower overall presence of adult males. The citizen science program showed an increase in observations of both species between 2012 and 2020, possibly indicating an increase in abundance or a change in shark behaviour related to the culling of exotic lionfish. We demonstrate that these three methods can be used complementary to provide a baseline of the diversity and spatiotemporal presence of reef-associated sharks. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-69721b05e0cd4b058cfb9dbf8acc3cb6 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2054-5703 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
| publisher | The Royal Society |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Royal Society Open Science |
| spelling | doaj-art-69721b05e0cd4b058cfb9dbf8acc3cb62025-08-20T02:47:24ZengThe Royal SocietyRoyal Society Open Science2054-57032025-07-0112710.1098/rsos.241754An integrated baseline assessment of reef-associated sharks around Saba (Dutch Caribbean), combining three methods: stereo-BRUVs, telemetry and citizen scienceGuido Leurs0Martin de Graaf1Dahlia Hassell-Knijff2Larissa Ayumi Kuramae Izioka3Wouter van Looijengoed4Melanie P. Meijer zu Schlochtern5Tadzio Bervoets6Leopold A. J. Nagelkerke7Hendriks V. Winter8Marine Animal Ecology Group, Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen, Gelderland, The NetherlandsWageningen Marine Research, IJmuiden, Noord-Holland, The NetherlandsSaba Conservation Foundation, The Bottom Saba, Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and SabaSaba Conservation Foundation, The Bottom Saba, Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and SabaWageningen Marine Research, IJmuiden, Noord-Holland, The NetherlandsWageningen Marine Research, IJmuiden, Noord-Holland, The NetherlandsCaribbean Shark Coalition, Kralendijk, Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and SabaAquaculture and Fisheries Group, Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen, Gelderland, The NetherlandsWageningen Marine Research, IJmuiden, Noord-Holland, The NetherlandsThe Exclusive Economic Zone of Saba (Dutch Windward Islands) has been designated Yarari Marine Mammal and Shark Sanctuary. However, to effectively conserve sharks, a baseline on their diversity and spatiotemporal distribution is required. We used three methods: telemetry, stereo-baited remote underwater video systems (stereo-BRUVs) and a citizen science program to study reef-associated sharks, mainly Caribbean reef sharks (Carcharhinus perezi) and nurse sharks (Ginglymostoma cirratum) around Saba during 2012–2020. Based on the stereo-BRUVs, we determined that the presence of Caribbean reef sharks (0.25 ± 0.48 maxN h−1; mean ± s.d.) and nurse sharks (0.20 ± 0.45 maxN h−1) was relatively high compared to other Caribbean coral reef systems. With telemetry, we showed that the residence and fidelity of Caribbean reef sharks were high, especially for immature individuals. In addition, we showed a higher presence of Caribbean reef sharks during December–May and a lower overall presence of adult males. The citizen science program showed an increase in observations of both species between 2012 and 2020, possibly indicating an increase in abundance or a change in shark behaviour related to the culling of exotic lionfish. We demonstrate that these three methods can be used complementary to provide a baseline of the diversity and spatiotemporal presence of reef-associated sharks.https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/rsos.241754site fidelityresidencyacoustic telemetryCaribbean reef sharkAtlantic nurse sharkmarine protected area |
| spellingShingle | Guido Leurs Martin de Graaf Dahlia Hassell-Knijff Larissa Ayumi Kuramae Izioka Wouter van Looijengoed Melanie P. Meijer zu Schlochtern Tadzio Bervoets Leopold A. J. Nagelkerke Hendriks V. Winter An integrated baseline assessment of reef-associated sharks around Saba (Dutch Caribbean), combining three methods: stereo-BRUVs, telemetry and citizen science Royal Society Open Science site fidelity residency acoustic telemetry Caribbean reef shark Atlantic nurse shark marine protected area |
| title | An integrated baseline assessment of reef-associated sharks around Saba (Dutch Caribbean), combining three methods: stereo-BRUVs, telemetry and citizen science |
| title_full | An integrated baseline assessment of reef-associated sharks around Saba (Dutch Caribbean), combining three methods: stereo-BRUVs, telemetry and citizen science |
| title_fullStr | An integrated baseline assessment of reef-associated sharks around Saba (Dutch Caribbean), combining three methods: stereo-BRUVs, telemetry and citizen science |
| title_full_unstemmed | An integrated baseline assessment of reef-associated sharks around Saba (Dutch Caribbean), combining three methods: stereo-BRUVs, telemetry and citizen science |
| title_short | An integrated baseline assessment of reef-associated sharks around Saba (Dutch Caribbean), combining three methods: stereo-BRUVs, telemetry and citizen science |
| title_sort | integrated baseline assessment of reef associated sharks around saba dutch caribbean combining three methods stereo bruvs telemetry and citizen science |
| topic | site fidelity residency acoustic telemetry Caribbean reef shark Atlantic nurse shark marine protected area |
| url | https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/rsos.241754 |
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