2026-09-21 マサチューセッツ大学アマースト校
Nurse sharks breeding at the recently discovered Windlass Bight area in Anegada, Virgin Islands (Credit: Bryan Legare). Top: Nurse sharks resting. “Knee deep is the sweet spot for breeding nurse sharks,” says Grace Casselberry, the paper’s lead author (Credit: Jules Lopez).
＜関連情報＞
- https://www.umass.edu/news/article/eat-prey-love-umass-amherst-researchers-help-reveal-hidden-life-sharks
- https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10641-026-01893-x
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0165783626001505
バージン諸島アネガダ島ウィンドラス湾における、季節的なネコザメ（Ginglymostoma cirratum ）の交尾集団の初観察 First observations of a seasonal nurse shark (Ginglymostoma cirratum) mating aggregation in Windlass Bight, Anegada, Virgin Islands
Grace A. Casselberry, Chris Juredin, Emily Buchalter, Kitty Daniels, Amy Morrison, Kendyl Bernā, Schuyler E. Weiss, Abbi E. Christopher, Gregory B. Skomal, Andy J. Danylchuk & Bryan J. Legare
Environmental Biology of Fishes Published:04 September 2026
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1007/s10641-026-01893-x
Abstract
Identifying reproductively important areas is critical for improved conservation and management of fish species, including sharks. Despite this, shark mating behavior is rarely observed in the wild. Here, we document mating behaviors of nurse sharks in the shallow waters of Windlass Bight, Anegada, Virgin Islands. From June 4 to 16, 2025, shore-based observations were supplemented with Unmanned Aerial Vehicle flights to compile a total of 22 mating events and up to 27 individuals at the aggregation site at one time in the nearshore waters of Windlass Bight. Eight mature males and 15 mature females were captured and internally tagged with acoustic transmitters for long-term monitoring and fitted with external conventional tags for short-term resighting in the area. Video footage collected from previous years documented nearshore aggregative behavior and mating attempts in the same area dating back to 2018 and 2023, respectively. Collectively, these results provide evidence that Windlass Bight is a nurse shark mating aggregation site with repeated use across years. This information can inform conservation actions to prevent the disturbance of a critical life history stage for nurse sharks.
北東大陸棚大規模海洋生態系におけるレクリエーション釣り人による被害認識 Perceptions of depredation by recreational anglers in the Northeast Shelf Large Marine Ecosystem
Evan G. Prasky, Grace A. Casselberry, Ezra M. Markowitz, Lucas P. Griffin, Andy J. Danylchuk
Fisheries Research Available online: 30 June 2026
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fishres.2026.107797
Abstract
Depredation, the whole or partial loss of a hooked fish while in the process of landing, has risen in the United States. Research on rising depredation encounters in recreational fisheries has primarily focused on individual species interactions in tropical and subtropical waters, as well as their impact on the fishing experience of anglers. Herein, we extend this work using an online survey of anglers from North Carolina to Maine, conducted July–October 2024, to evaluate depredation across the Northeast United States Large Marine Ecosystem. Among the 954 respondents, sharks were selected as the most common depredating species (62%), followed by seals (29%). The likelihood of encountering depredation was primarily dependent on latitude and target fish species. Shark depredation occurred more frequently at lower latitudes (< 40°N) in both nearshore and offshore habitats. In comparison, seal depredation occurred at higher latitudes (>40°N) in nearshore habitats. The frequency in which anglers experienced depredation strongly influenced suggested management preferences, with higher depredation rates associated with greater support for population reductions of depredating species. Seal depredation elicited stronger negative emotional responses than shark depredation when they occurred within the same region, potentially reflecting regional cultural attitudes and differences in exposure history. Despite these negative interactions, anglers did not intend to fish less, though they reported spatial avoidance of areas where depredation occurred. These findings demonstrate that depredation is a multi-species issue requiring region-specific management approaches and these findings highlight how successful conservation initiatives can create new human-wildlife conflicts, eroding public support for protected species.
