NOAA South West Fisheries Science Center (SWFSC)

The NOAA Fisheries, Southwest Fisheries Science Center Large Pelagics Biology Group is responsible for the collection of biological and fishery independent data on large pelagic fish in support of fisheries management and conservation.

The group conducts research examining life history characteristics of a range of highly migratory fish species including, but not limited to, billfish, tunas, and sharks. Each year fishery-independent surveys are conducted for blue, mako and thresher sharks in the Southern California Bight, which is an important nursery ground for all three species. This effort is critical for obtaining long-term population trends and defining essential habitat for these vulnerable species. The survey also provides the opportunity to conduct conventional and electronic tagging in order to study migratory patterns and to collect biological samples in support of a variety of studies including population genetics, feeding habits, reproductive biology, and age and growth.

Other research on sharks conducted by the group includes examining pelagic shark catch and bycatch in the California/Oregon drift gillnet fishery. Trends in catch rates are being examined from data collected by the onboard observers since 1990. The survival rates of blue sharks released from the nets are also being examined. The biological, fishery-dependent and fishery-independent data are critical to developing reliable estimates of the status of these species, and in providing domestic and international management and conservation advice.

For more information about the SWFSC Large Pelagics Biology Group’s research activities please click here.

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