Reef-Fidelity and Migration of Tiger Sharks, Galeocerdo cuvier, across the Coral Sea

Tiger sharks exhibit complex migration patterns and reef-fidelity, with sub-adults and adult males showing year-round residency in the Chesterfield Islands, while females display long-distance movements across the Coral Sea. A study using passive acoustic transmitters and satellite tags tracked 33 tiger sharks, revealing transient behavior in coastal barrier reefs and wide-ranging migrations up to 1,114 km, with some individuals utilizing three-dimensional activity spaces averaging 2,360 km³. The findings suggest that while certain reefs like the Chesterfields are critical habitats for specific shark demographics, coastal Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) provide only brief protection due to the sharks' extensive movements. This underscores the need for broader research on oceanic Coral Sea reefs to inform effective conservation strategies.

Werry, J. M., Planes, S., Berumen, M. L., Lee, K. A., Braun, C. D., & Clua, E. (2014). Reef-Fidelity and Migration of Tiger Sharks, Galeocerdo cuvier, across the Coral Sea. PLoS ONE, 9(1), e83249. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0083249