Partners and Sponsors
Bull Shark Research
Oceans Research » Research Projects » Project Bull Shark » Current Page
Project Bull Shark | Oceans Research
Project Bull shark is based in the Ponta Region of Southern Mozambique. The project is based on the lack of information available on the population status and behaviour of Zambezi (bull) sharks (Carcharhinus leucas) in Southern Africa.
Of all the marine predators, sharks, such at the bull shark, are in a uniquely perilous position, as they face unprecedented consumptive demand by Asia for their fins. Over 100 million sharks are killed annually; the majority to supply the culinary demand for shark fin soup that utilises less than 3 percent of a sharks' biomass. Sharks, as the pinnacle of the marine food chain, have also become the greatest draw card to marine tourism, surpassing marine mammals in many instances. Thus, whilst there is unprecedented consumptive pressure on sharks, there is also hope for their survival through non-consumptive eco-tourism. Project bull shark aims to address this emotive issue through producing the scientific information required for informed management and conservation.
Oceans Research will only conduct research projects with permit approval from The Minister of Tourism - National Directorate of Conservation Areas.
Project Bull Shark:
Population Research Projects
Population composition and abundance
Photo-identification is a technique mainly used on species that bear distinctive features, such as natural markings, which can be used to identify individuals. The photo-identification project aims to determine the local abundance and population composition of bull sharks using mark-recapture techniques. It also represents the first step in establishing a Southern African photo-identification catalogue.
Genetic Structure
This project aims to use underwater biopsy sampling to collect genetic samples of bull, and other, shark species in the region. The samples are to be used to investigate the genetic structure and diversity of sharks in the Southern African region.
Project Bull Shark:
Behavioural Research Projects
Describing critical habitat
This project aims to use of active acoustic tracking to determine home range, habitat use and horizontal/vertical movement patterns of bull sharks in the Ponta region.
Project Bull Shark:
Physiological Research Projects
No Physiology projects active at present.
Project Bull Shark:
Ecological Research Projects
Ecosystem Energy Modelling
This project aims to use underwater biopsy sampling of bull sharks and fishing (for fish species only) of possible prey species to collect stable isotope samples. Samples to be used to describe energy flow through the Ponta regions marine ecosystem.
Project Bull Shark:
Socioeconomics Research Projects
Economic evaluation of shark diving tourism
This project aims to use surveys of user groups in the Ponta region to determine the economic value of non-consumptive shark diving and fishing eco-tourism as opposed to the consumptive use of sharks for subsistence or to supply the shark fin trade.
Project Bull Shark:
Past Research Projects
No past bull shark research projects