GUY HARVEY OCEAN FUND INC

Science and research: the guy harvey foundation (ghf) research programs are dedicated to expanding the scientific knowledge necessary for effective conservation of fish populations and maintenance of fish biodiversity. The high-quality scientific information provided by ghf is critical to the universally recognized urgent need to develop and implement effective measures for the conservation and enhancement of fish resources worldwide. Research programs include: (1) satellite tagging shortfin mako sharks, (2) satellite and conventional tagging dolphinfish in the nw atlantic ocean, caribbean sea, and eastern tropical pacific, (3) tagging and tracking billfish in the eastern tropical pacific ocean, and (4) satellite tagging of whale sharks off the yucatan peninsula. (continued on schedule o)1. Satellite tagging shortfin mako sharks in the nw atlantic ocean and western caribbean / gulf of mexico. The guy harvey foundation and guy harvey research institute (ghri) at nova southeastern university deployed five satellite tracking tags (spot tags) on shortfin mako sharks in the nw atlantic ocean and western caribbean / gulf of mexico as part of a multiyear study to understand the migration patterns and fishing mortality for this species. This research project provided the first fisheries-independent fishing mortality rate for this economically and ecologically important species, which was 10 times higher than previously thought. This discovery led the international organization that manages mako sharks to downgrade their status to overfished with overfishing occurring. This change of status, in turn, prompted the u.s. Government (noaa) to increase protections for mako sharks in federal waters, including mandating the release of live mako sharks in the commercial fishery and an increased minimum size in the recreational fishery.2. Satellite and conventional tagging dolphinfish in the nw atlantic ocean, caribbean sea, and eastern tropical pacific. The foundation partnered with the dolphinfish research program to deploy pop-up satellite tracking tags (psat tags) and geolocating tags on atlantic and pacific dolphinfish and to engage recreational anglers in a tag and recapture citizen science study. This highly reproductive fish has long been thought to be immune to overfishing but anecdotal evidence is showing a decline in the numbers and size of dolphinfish around the world and specifically in the southeast united states. The satellite tagging study is helping researchers better understand the season migrations of these fish while the tag and recapture study is providing invaluable data about the incredibly fast growth rate of these fish and how often they are caught. These data are fundamental to conserving this commercially and recreationally important species.3. Tagging and tracking billfish in the eastern tropical pacific ocean. The foundation partnered with nova southeastern university and tropic star lodge in panama on a comprehensive study of the billfish and other large vertebrates that inhabit the eastern tropical pacific ocean. This is the fourth year of a five-year study to deploy satellite pop-up tags and accelerometer tags on blue marlin, black marlin, and sailfish to better understand their migration patterns and how these species recover from the catch and release process. There is a significant amount of commercial fishing in this region, so fisheries managers need to know where these billfish are travelling. Additionally, the recreational fishery is very valuable to the region, so it is important to understand the effects that the catch and release process has on these animals. Data collected from the deployment of baited remote underwater video (bruv) cameras is in the process of being scientifically published.4. Satellite tagging of whale sharks off the yucatan peninsula. The foundation partnered with ch'ooj ajauil and the guy harvey research institute to deploy smart position and temperature (spot) transmitting tags on whale sharks in a long-term movement ecology study. Whale sharks are a cosmopolitan species that aggregate annually in large numbers off mexico attracting naturalists, scientists, and tourists to the site. Whale sharks are threatened by pollution, boat strikes and the shark fin trade. Their annual migration supports an important seasonal eco-tourism attraction and allows ability to study multiple sharks over multi year periods to better understand their migratory behavior outside of the annual aggregation period. Their tracks are made publicly available to support educational awareness of this important species and overall aid in their conservation.