Apr 21, 2023
Blacktip Reef Shark Aggression in Moorea
- 1UC Berkeley
Protocol Citation: jparadise 2023. Blacktip Reef Shark Aggression in Moorea. protocols.io https://dx.doi.org/10.17504/protocols.io.6qpvr4nr3gmk/v1
License: This is an open access protocol distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited
Protocol status: Working
We use this protocol and it's working
Created: April 11, 2023
Last Modified: April 21, 2023
Protocol Integer ID: 80358
Abstract
On the island of Moorea, French Polynesia, tourism operators have engaged in consistent elasmobranch provisioning at specific sites since the 1990s, conditioning the area’s shark and ray populations to human feeding and developing profitable lagoon tours based on close-contact elasmobranch encounters. Over the years, various scientific studies have established that this provisioning significantly increases the density of elasmobranch populations at such feeding sites, with potential repercussions for the behavior of these species and the health of the ecosystem as a whole. However, the impacts of provisioning on individual, interaction-level elasmobranch behavior remains largely unexamined. Focusing on Moorea’s blacktip reef shark (Carcharhinus melanopterus) populations, this study will investigate whether elasmobranch provisioning impacts the species’ levels of aggression and/or territorial behaviors, comparing observed behaviors at comparable feeding and non-feeding sites. Using a combination of in-the-field observations and photographic methods, I will specifically examine 1) the presence of aggressive or territorial interactions between individual blacktip sharks and 2) the presence of over-confident or aggressive behaviors towards people within the provisioning areas. In doing so, I hope to gain a greater understanding of possible impacts on shark behavioral dynamics or health, so as to inform any measures that shark operators should take to enhance both shark health and human safety.
Image Attribution
Jemma Paradise
Guidelines
Here are a selection of guidelines to keep in mind during this research project:
- Sites can be measured in any order. Note that it is best to measure the sites on consecutive days or within a small timeframe, to avoid any interference of time-dependent or seasonal behaviors.
- Between sessions, always try to download any photos and video, so as to mitigate lost data in the case of a flooded camera.
- If the sharks appear to be acting particularly aggressively towards the researcher at any point during the experiment, they should always prioritize safety, abort the data-gathering, and leave the water as necessary (an action that was necessary during one of my preliminary dives for this project).
Materials
Observations
- Snorkeling/diving gear (Mask, snorkel, fins, dive equipment, weight belt)
- Underwater camera
- Underwater notepad
- Shark tagging equipment
- Underwater watch or timekeeping equipment
- Bag that attaches to weight-belt
Shark Cam
- Underwater camera tag, mounted to clamp mechanism
- Tagging pole
Data Storage and Analysis
- Computer
- Separate hard-drive
- Spreadsheet software (eg. Excel)
Qualifications
- At minimum: Open Water Dive certification from a dive organization (Padi, Naui, etc.)
Safety warnings
- Though the sharks and rays of Moorea are considered relatively safe to humans, all elasmobranchs are wild animals. As discussed above, if the sharks appear to be acting particularly aggressively towards the researcher at any point during the experiment, they should always prioritize safety, abort the data-gathering, and leave the water as necessary (an action that was necessary during one of my preliminary dives for this project).
- Moorea’s reefs are also home to Titan Triggerfish (Balistoides viridescens), known for their highly territorial behavior towards any animal perceived as a threat (including divers), particularly during the mating season from March to May. If a triggerfish begins territorial behavior (either raising its dorsal spine or aggressively swimming towards you), keep your eyes on the fish and swim horizontally away until its territorial behavior subsides. Do not swim upwards – as the fish’s territory extends from the reef to the surface, this will only exacerbate the threat display.
Ethics statement
Within this research project, we come into close contact with blacktip reef sharks, both tagging them with non-invasive shark cameras and observing them for long periods of time. While no sharks will be harmed through our procedures, we want to recognize the potential disturbance our activities could cause for the sharks involved.
Before start
Prior to beginning measurements:
- Make sure camera and timekeeping batteries are charged several hours prior to starting measurements.
- Adapt recommended spreadsheet as necessary.
- Confirm that camera time matches timekeeping equipment – note any discrepancies as necessary.
- Always check the underwater camera for leaks prior to entering the water.
Observations
Observations
Preparation
45m
Gather necessary materials:
- Snorkeling/diving gear (Mask, snorkel, fins, dive equipment, weight belt)
- Underwater camera
- Underwater notepad
- Shark tagging equipment
- Underwater watch or timekeeping equipment
- Bag that attaches to weight-belt (optional, for storing items)
30m
Confirm that timestamp on camera matches other timekeeping equipment used for the observations - note any discrepancies as necessary.
10m
Ensure that all camera batteries are charged.
5m
Observations: Enter the water at Site #1 at 8am and start observations.
1h
Take photos of all observed sharks (to ID specific individuals and subsequently analyze for any scarring (signs of aggression). Specifically take photos of any obvious scarring (in these, try to also photograph the fin of the shark, so as to match scars with specific individuals).
Film any observed interactions. For the purpose of our analysis, we will define an interaction as any time sharks swim together or come in close proximity to one another or people. Thus, start filming anytime two sharks approach each other or tourists (as it is difficult to predict if/when aggressive behaviors will occur). Try to document all sharks involved within the frame, particularly fins (for identification) and presence of claspers (for sex differentiation).
Note any observed interactions with exact time (accurate to the nearest minute) and the nature of the behavior observed on underwater notepad (aggressive/non-aggressive). However, prioritize photos and film first, over recording to the minute, as photos and video include the timestamp in their metadata.
Also observe for any active shark feeding or suspected feeding by divers or tourist operators - note any if observed, alongside the appropriate timestamp.
Complete observation session after one hour. Rinse camera equipment and, if possible, download all footage onto a separate hard-drive (to avoid data loss if the camera subsequently floods).
Repeat the above observation process at Site #1 at 1pm and 6pm. (This will provide a more holistic insight into shark behavior throughout the day, as opposed to at one specific time.)
2h
Repeat the above observation process at Sites #2, #3, and #4, ideally over the following three days. Note that Sites #2 and #4 may require SCUBA diving to reach the shark feeding activities - as such, make sure to follow PADI/NAUI recommendations and safety guidelines while performing research.
6h
Recommended: Repeat the above observation process at all sites 3-6 months later, so as to mitigate any seasonal effects on behavior.
Camera Tagging
Camera Tagging
Preparation:
Gather necessary materials (Shark Cam)
Ensure that camera is prepared as necessary (fully charged, with no leaks)
Tagging Process:
Return to site #1 in the morning, at 7:30am, prior to the arrival of tours
Tag two sharks by placing the Shark Cam clamp around the front of each shark’s dorsal fin, as shown below:
Wait for the pressure sensor to show that the tag has returned to the surface.
Use the tag’s inbuilt GPS tracker to identify coordinates and retrieve the device.
Download the footage (using the Data Storage and Analysis process below) and analyze the video for behavior and interactions.
Repeat this process for Sites #2, #3, and #4.
Recommended: Repeat the above observation process at all sites 3-6 months later, so as to mitigate any seasonal effects on behavior.
Data Storage and Analysis
Data Storage and Analysis
Ensure all footage is transferred onto a hard-drive and back-up as necessary.
Recommended: Create one folder for ID and scarring photos and another for behavior videos; sort as necessary.
Work to ID specific sharks based on fin photos; if possible, assign each shark with a specific identifier.
Analyze photos for potential scarring and try to determine the cause (eg. boat strike, shark bite, etc.)
Input data into a spreadsheet.
For shark observation photos, note time, site number, shark ID number, presence of scarring, type of scarring, photo file numbers.
For behavior videos, note time, site number, active/suspected feeding (yes/no), shark ID number(s), behavior type, obvious aggression (yes/no), shark-only interaction (yes/no), shark-diver interaction (yes/no), number of sharks involved, male shark aggression towards female shark (yes/no/NA), and photo/video file number (if applicable).
Calculate the number of interactions observed at each site and the number of interactions of individual sharks.
Calculate the number of aggressive behaviors observed at each site and the number of aggressive behaviors of individual sharks (if any).
Determine the percentage of aggressive behaviors relative to interactions at each site.
Analyze both the quantities and percentage of aggressive behaviors, as well as any other trends appearing in the data (eg. disproportionate aggression towards female sharks at mixed-sex feeding areas).
Protocol references
Big Fish Laboratory. "Deploying Camera Tags on Sharks in Chagos," Oregon State University, 4 December 2019. https://marineresearch.oregonstate.edu/video/deploying-camera-tags-sharks-chagos.