NATURE
‘Genie’ shark travels record distance: United States coast-to-coast four times in 546 days
A female silky shark has been monitored by a group of scientists in order to better understand its migratory movements, and the distance it travels.
Sharks are among the most dangerous animals in our oceans, although are surpassed, possibly surprisingly, by other species such as orcas, stonefish, and sea lions. But not only are they highly skilled and stealthy predators, they also travel extensively due to their need and migrate in search of new prey. Consequently, a group of scientists decided to monitor the movements of a silky shark (Carcharhinus falciformis) and recorded the longest migration ever documented for this species: around 17,191 miles (27,666 kilometers) in 546 days.
The female shark, named ‘Genie’ so called in honor of the late shark ecologist Dr. Eugenie Clark, embarked on her journey from Wolf Island, north of the Galapagos Marine Reserve, in July 2021. Her voyage covered a distance equivalent to crossing the United States coast to coast about four times. During the journey, the shark migrated twice westwards, nearing areas of intense fishing pressure and minimal regulation.
Shark survival needs “coordinated global response”
The study conducted by the scientists underscores the urgent need for these sharks to migrate in order to survive. “Understanding the migratory routes of silky sharks and other threatened pelagic sharks is crucial for developing effective management strategies to reverse the ongoing global population declines,” stated Dr. Pelayo Salinas de León, lead author of the study and principal co-investigator of the Charles Darwin Foundation’s shark ecology project.
“Sharks have been roaming the world’s oceans for hundreds of millions of years, and the cartographic boundaries humans have drawn on paper mean nothing to them. Their long migrations through heavily fished international waters expose them to significant risks, highlighting the need for a coordinated global response to ensure the survival of this highly threatened group of species,” concluded the expert.
Why silky sharks are a vulnerable species
Silky sharks are classified as vulnerable on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species and are among the most frequently caught species in both artisanal and industrial fishing. Due to their slow growth and late maturity, there is a high demand for them in the global shark fin trade.
According to the study, more than 99% of the time Genie was tracked occurred in international waters to the west and south, far from the Exclusive Economic Zone managed by Ecuador around the Galapagos Islands.