Population Assessment and Conservation Research
Reef sharks play a critical role as apex predators in maintaining healthy coral reef ecosystems. This research project assesses the status and conservation potential of reef shark populations in Puerto Rico, utilizing innovative techniques such as fin-printing (G-Fin Print) for individual identification.
The study focuses on Caribbean reef sharks and nurse sharks, documenting their populations, behavior, and habitat use. Photographic identification using natural markings on dorsal fins allows researchers to track individual sharks over time without the need for invasive tagging, providing valuable data on population size, movement patterns, and site fidelity.
Type: Population Assessment, Conservation Research
Species: Caribbean Reef Sharks, Nurse Sharks
Methods: Fin-printing (G-Fin Print), Photo Identification, Behavioral Observations