The silver king in the Magic City: Observation of Atlantic tarpon Megalops atlanticus aggregation off Miami, Florida.

Due to the logistical and financial challenges in studying migratory marine species, there is relatively limited knowledge of the reproductive biology, behavior, and habitat use of many ecologically important marine megafauna species, including the Atlantic tarpon Megalops atlanticus. Here, we present a novel observation using consumer-grade aerial drones to observe, quantify the scale of, and classify behaviors within a previously unreported tarpon aggregation (N = 182) over the course of a 2-day fish aggregation event. After the event, we analysed and compared observed behaviors (e.

A content analysis of 32 years of Shark Week documentaries.

Despite evidence of their importance to marine ecosystems, at least 32% of all chondrichthyan species are estimated or assessed as threatened with extinction. In addition to the logistical difficulties of effectively conserving wide-ranging marine species, shark conservation is believed to have been hindered in the past by public perceptions of sharks as dangerous to humans. Shark Week is a high-profile, international programming event that has potentially enormous influence on public perceptions of sharks, shark research, shark researchers, and shark conservation.

The role and value of science in shark conservation advocacy.

Many species of sharks are threatened with extinction, and there has been a longstanding debate in scientific and environmental circles over the most effective and appropriate strategy to conserve and protect them. Should we allow for sustainable fisheries exploitation of species which can withstand fishing pressure, or ban all fisheries for sharks and trade in shark products? In the developing world, exploitation of fisheries resources can be essential to food security and poverty alleviation, and global management efforts are typically focused on sustainably maximizing economic benefits. This approach aligns with traditional fisheries management and the perspectives of most surveyed scientific researchers who study sharks.

Inaccurate and Biased Global Media Coverage Underlies Public Misunderstanding of Shark Conservation Threats and Solutions.

Sharks are a taxon of significant conservation concern and associated public interest. The scientific community largely supports management policies focusing on sustainable fisheries exploitation of sharks, but many concerned members of the public and some environmental advocates believe that sustainable shark fisheries cannot and do not exist and therefore support total bans on all shark fisheries and/or trade in shark products. The belief that sustainable shark fisheries cannot and do not exist persists despite scientific evidence showing that they can and do, and are important to livelihoods.