Distributions and Movements of Atlantic Shark Species: A 52-Year Retrospective Atlas of Mark and Recapture Data

Abstract

—The National Marine Fish- eries Service (NMFS) Cooperative Shark Tagging Program (CSTP) was initiated in 1962 as a collaborative effort between recreational anglers, the commercial fishing industry, and the NMFS. The CSTP data describe the geographic range, minimum estimates of longevity, and movements of coastal and pelagic sharks in the Atlantic Ocean using conventional mark/recapture methods. This document summarizes infor- mation collected by the CSTP for a 52-year period through 2013, updating a previous 1998 publication. A total of 229,810 sharks of 35 species were tagged, and 13,419 sharks of 31 species were recaptured during this period. To characterize the movements and distribution patterns, these data were summarized by sex for times at liberty and distance traveled. The longest time at liberty for any individual shark was 27.8 years (sandbar shark). Distances traveled ranged from negligible movement to 3,997 nautical miles (blue shark). Overall, and in some cases, seasonal distributions, as well as movements of tagged sharks, are mapped with respect to the Atlantic Ocean and marginal seas, state boundaries, the 200 mile United States Exclusive Economic Zone, and international and territorial waters of other countries. Detailed profiles are provided for 14 noteworthy shark species where the updated data have significantly extended previous ranges and movements.