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Comparison with other populations
 There
are several aspects of the population that visits the Mexican Atlantic
that indicates its uniquness amungst other known populations of the
world. During the months of June to September of the year 2004, more
than 1,100 sightings took place in the area, while 106 have been seen in
Angeles Bay, Baja California (Rodriguez, 2001) and
124 in
the Gulf of Mexico from 1989-1998 (Burks, 1999). Taking the highest
numbers found in aerial surveys in South Africa, we fin 7.26 sharks per
hour in 1993 (CITES, 2001) compared to almost 25 sharks per hour as an
average of the aerial surveys in our area (2004 information).
Comparing
the numbers of identified sharks, 173 sharks where tagged in the Mexican
Atlantic versus 47 photo identified individuals in Belize (CITES, 2001)
and 162 photo identifications in Ningaloo, Australia (Colman, 1997 and
Cites, 2001). Clearly the number of sightings, individuals seen during
aerial surveys and identified individuals in the Mexican Atlantic
population surpasses the numbers found in other known populations.
Simultaneously, in this
population there were sightings of individuals with lengths smaller than
3 m
, which has only been seen in few populations around the world (ei-
Donsol, Philippines).
There seems to be a seasonal and spatial
segregation amongst populations, frequently sighting similarly sized and
same sex individuals in a certain area (Norman
1999 in
CITES 2002). This statement holds true in several
known populations, whereas this
population displays females as well as males and in some occasions the
males display evidences of sexual activity. During the 2004 tagging
campaign a ratio of 1.8 males to female was found.
The singularity of this population makes the
assurance of its protection even more important.
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Report
a sighting
Gallery
and papers
Regulations
Links
Bibliography
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