Understanding both large (i.e., migratory) and small (i.e., diel) scale movement patterns are essential components of successful fisheries management plans, especially for species that are considered highly migratory and/or are commercially harvested.
Such data can be used to evaluate the spatial distribution and fishery interactions of a species and identify ‘hotspots’ (i.e., areas with high fishery interactions) both spatially and temporally, among other things. Using this information, practical bycatch avoidance strategies can be developed that will help reduce fishery interactions. In addition, this information can be used to designate and understand critical habitat (areas that are essential to the survival of those fish) and explore what changes in distribution do to climate change. James and his team use a variety of methods to track the movement of both marine and estuarine fish species which include:
- Atlantic sturgeon Acipenser oxyrinchus acoustic and satellite tag tracking
- Shortnose Sturgeon Acipenser brevirostrum acoustic and satellite tag tracking
- Monkfish Lophius americanus satellite tag tracking
- Porbeagle sharks Lamna nasus satellite tag tracking
- Spiny dogfish Squalus acanthias satellite tag tracking
- Thorny skate Amblyraja radiata satellite tag tracking
- Blue sharks Prionace glauca tag tracking
