Life at a South Pacific shark nursery
Life at a South Pacific shark nursery
A shark nursery in French Polynesia is home to blacktip and lemon sharks.
Contunico © ZDF Studios GmbH, Mainz
Transcript
The South Pacific - it is the dream of a stunning tropical vacation beneath palm trees on a sandy beach. But it can be clouded buy the idea of sharks lurking beneath the turquoise waves. An encounter not on the to-do list for most. But this is no cause for concern. It is a shark nursery. Even sharks have to grow into adults before they turn into fearsome hunters. Some bays on these islands are home to both lemon sharks and black tip reef sharks. The black tips are easily distinguished by their distinctive dorsal fin markings. The lemon sharks’ yellowish green color is also unique.
These juveniles will stay in the shallows, free from predators including their own relatives, until their big enough to fend for themselves. Black tip reef sharks are amongst the most numerous sharks around tropical coral reefs. They usually reach around 160 centimeters in length and live off small fish and invertebrates. Black tips prefer the shallow waters of intertidal zones and stay near the water surface, exposing their dorsal fins.
Not much is known about the juvenile phase of the sharks’ lives. But since practically all kinds of shark are threatened throughout their range, scientists are devoting more time to their study. In French Polynesia, they’re investigating lemon sharks. The researchers have cordoned off part of the bay using mesh netting.
This is a young female. She is photographed and measured. A piece of skin is taken for lab tests and DNA samples. If she is caught again in a year’s time, it will be possible to work out her growth rate and just how long it will take her to reach her full size. The lemon shark is impressive. It is one of the biggest types of shark, reaching an astonishing three meters. It faces few natural enemies. Only a few other types of shark or its own cannibalistic relatives could threaten its survival. If left in peace, it poses no danger to humans. But when the tables are turned anglers and fishermen pursue these sharks for their highly prized fins or even just for fun. The lemon shark has become a hunted hunter.
These juveniles will stay in the shallows, free from predators including their own relatives, until their big enough to fend for themselves. Black tip reef sharks are amongst the most numerous sharks around tropical coral reefs. They usually reach around 160 centimeters in length and live off small fish and invertebrates. Black tips prefer the shallow waters of intertidal zones and stay near the water surface, exposing their dorsal fins.
Not much is known about the juvenile phase of the sharks’ lives. But since practically all kinds of shark are threatened throughout their range, scientists are devoting more time to their study. In French Polynesia, they’re investigating lemon sharks. The researchers have cordoned off part of the bay using mesh netting.
This is a young female. She is photographed and measured. A piece of skin is taken for lab tests and DNA samples. If she is caught again in a year’s time, it will be possible to work out her growth rate and just how long it will take her to reach her full size. The lemon shark is impressive. It is one of the biggest types of shark, reaching an astonishing three meters. It faces few natural enemies. Only a few other types of shark or its own cannibalistic relatives could threaten its survival. If left in peace, it poses no danger to humans. But when the tables are turned anglers and fishermen pursue these sharks for their highly prized fins or even just for fun. The lemon shark has become a hunted hunter.