Andrea Parmegiani
Sightings of bull sharks (Carcharhinus leucas) in the Maldives have been reported by locals and dive operators for years. However, the spatial connectivity between the bull sharks sighted in the Maldives and other populations in the Indian Ocean remains largely unexplored. Essential for the implementation of effective conservation policies is information such as population structure, habitat utilisation, migration patterns, and life cycle parameters. Tracking technologies have proven invaluable in providing unprecedented insights into the three-dimensional marine environment used by sharks.
Bull shark female in North Male Atoll. © Scipione Mannacio.
In this project, our primary objective is to achieve comprehensive insights into the genetics and life habits of this vulnerable (IUCN) and understudied species in this area. The team is composed of researchers from the University of Milano-Bicocca – MarHe Center, a team from a non-profit organisation involved in shark research in Mexican waters, Shark Research Mexico, and another NGO operating in the Maldivian territory, the Miyaru Programme. The project logistics are assisted by the White Wave Maldives dive team, a dive centre on a safari boat that has been operating in the Maldives since 2009.
During the project, local team members will be trained in fieldwork and data analysis to enhance their knowledge and skills in these areas. The project is conducted under a permit issued by the Ministry of Fisheries and Agriculture.