Congrats, you now have a group of lively shark offspring! The field of shark science is making significant progress with the use of a revolutionary tool known as a birth-alert tag (BAT), which monitors the delivery location of pregnant sharks.
Understanding the location and timing of shark births can aid in conservation and protection endeavors. According to a statement released on Wednesday by James Sulikowski, a marine biologist at Arizona State University, this has been a goal of shark research since its inception. “This is our ultimate goal,” Sulikowski stated. “The scientific study of sharks has made significant progress over the past few decades.”
Enlarge the Image
The birth-alert tag is a compact gadget that accompanies a shark during its birthing process, as stated by James Sulikowski. A 2021 investigation by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, which manages the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, revealed that almost 36% of 536 evaluated shark species are at the risk of becoming extinct. The primary causes of this threat are overfishing and the shark fin business, where the fins are utilized for medicinal purposes or as a type of food.
On Wednesday, Science Advances released a study outlining the application of the BAT (Biotrack Acoustic Transceiver) device, which relies on satellite technology, in pregnant sharks. The procedure involves capturing a shark and installing a BAT through the animal’s cloacal opening (the area through which offspring are delivered). The BAT, which is egg-shaped and compact, remains within the shark’s confines until it gives birth. Afterwards, the device rises to the water’s surface and broadcasts a transmission detailing the birth location and time.
The device was effectively utilized by the team on two shark species, the tiger shark and the hammerhead, both renowned for their ability to cover vast distances. In addition, researchers made a novel observation about sand sharks, revealing that their preferred location for giving birth is abandoned shipwrecks. This finding took Sulikowski by surprise, as the birthing habits and essential habitats for survival of most shark species continue to remain unknown.
The research team recognizes the significant contribution of BAT to the conservation of sharks. ASU stated that once habitats are identified, measures will be implemented to safeguard those areas, which may include establishing sanctuaries or expanding existing protected zones.
