The secret lives of silky sharks: unveiling their whereabouts supports their protection
We know very little about the secret lives of ocean sharks, where they live and why they are there.
- We know very little about the secret lives of ocean sharks, where they live and why they are there.
- A solid understanding of the distribution of oceanic sharks is fundamental to their protection and our new research provides valuable insights into the secret lives of these wide-ranging predators.
- Read more:
Oceanic sharks and rays have declined by 71% since 1970 – a global solution is needed
Silky by name, silky by nature
- Silky sharks (Carcharhinus falciformis), named for the silky-smooth feel of their skin, are emblematic of open ocean sharks.
- In 2017 the International Union for the Conservation of Nature classified this species as vulnerable to extinction.
What we did
- Baited remote underwater video systems, or BRUVS for short, are used to document the wildlife of the open oceans.
- Armed with a pair of small action cameras and baited to attract predators, BRUVS are suspended at 10m depth and drift with ocean currents.
A love affair between silky sharks and seamounts
- Silky sharks love seamounts.
- The closer we sampled to seamounts, the more frequently we observed silky sharks, and in higher numbers.
- Our results also reveal the smallest silky sharks hang out closest to seamounts.
A human footprint on silky sharks
- Only the most remote areas had high numbers of silky sharks.
- Silky sharks close to ports and human populations were also smaller than those observed further away.
- The distribution of silky sharks exemplifies the pervasive and negative impacts of human activity on oceanic sharks more generally.
A path to protection
- The need for improved protection for oceanic wildlife is well-recognised and marine protected areas are a key tool to deliver this protection.
- In 2023, the High Seas Treaty was ratified by the 193 member states of the United Nations, paving the path towards strong and effective protection of the vast swaths of ocean beyond national jurisdiction.
- We hope recent commitments to ocean protection will spur research to further unveil the secret lives of oceanic sharks and ensure their survival in the face of their greatest threat yet.