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Publication Details
AFRICAN RESEARCH NEXUS
SHINING A SPOTLIGHT ON AFRICAN RESEARCH
agricultural and biological sciences
Spatial and seasonal distribution patterns of the ragged-tooth shark Carcharias taurus along the coast of South Africa
African Journal of Marine Science, Volume 28, No. 3-4, Year 2006
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Description
Catches from competitive shore-anglers, inshore boatbased anglers and sightings by spearfishers and divers were used to infer the spatial and seasonal movement patterns of young-of-the-year (<1.2m TL), juvenile (1.2-1.8m TL), sub-adult (1.8-2.4m TL) and adult (>2.4m TL) ragged-tooth sharks Carcharias taurus along the coast of South Africa. Adult sharks inhabited the entire coast between Maputaland in the east and St Helena Bay on the West Coast. The geographical range of sharks at earlier life-history stages decreased with size. The vast majority (93.8%) of young-of-the-year sharks recorded from competitive shore-angling club records were between East London and St Francis Bay on the East Coast, suggesting this region to be the primary nursery area for C. taurus. Estuarine systems, although utilised by young-of-the-year and juvenile C. taurus, do not form an important component of their nursery area in South Africa. Catches of pregnant and post parfum females taken during the same time of year and in different areas indicated a biennial reproductive cycle. C. taurus appears to display a high degree of affinity for particular reefs. The reason some reefs are chosen over others, despite having similar physical characteristics, remains unclear. A significant increase in the number of C. taurus caught in competitions held by the Border Rock and Surf Angling Association between 1984 and 2004 suggests an increase in the abundance of C. taurus. Copyright © NISC Pty Ltd.
Authors & Co-Authors
Dicken, Matthew Laurence
South Africa, Grahamstown
Rhodes University
South Africa, Gqeberha
Nelson Mandela University
Smale, Malcolme John
South Africa, Humewood
Port Elizabeth Museum
Booth, Anthony John
South Africa, Grahamstown
Rhodes University
Statistics
Citations: 50
Authors: 3
Affiliations: 3
Identifiers
Doi:
10.2989/18142320609504210
ISSN:
1814232X
Research Areas
Sexual And Reproductive Health
Study Locations
South Africa
Participants Gender
Female