Shark tagging is used as a source of data for shark migration and behaviors. Different tags can collect temperature, salinity, or depth data points while the shark is in motion. There are a variety of shark tagging methods used to monitor sharks. Of these methods, shark bolting has caused some concern. Shark bolting is the method of drilling holes into the first dorsal fin of pelagic sharks and placing steel screws into the fin to secure a satellite (SAT) tag. Bolted SAT tags cause concern due to the limited ways of removal, high probability of excessive biofouling, infections, and increased drag while swimming in many species of sharks. The objective of this study is to assess if bolting is a non-impact shark tagging method in terms of resulting shark health and behavior and, further, whether it should be considered a humane or inhumane practice by examining the present knowledge of dorsal fin anatomy and functionality.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:bu.edu/oai:open.bu.edu:2144/48451 |
| Date | 19 March 2024 |
| Creators | Turner, Emily N. |
| Contributors | Lobel, Philip |
| Source Sets | Boston University |
| Language | en_US |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis/Dissertation |
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