Velvet Belly Lantern Shark Secrets: A Deep Dive into Icelandic Waters During Climate Change
Scientists are eager to uncover more secrets about these fascinating creatures. The key question they aim to answer is what kind of environments they prefer. They also seek to track long-term patterns, such as where these sharks are found and their population numbers. This information is crucial for protecting them against threats like climate change and fishing. By learning more about lantern sharks, scientists can devise better strategies to ensure their safety and thriving habitats.
Learn more about threats to the lantern shark’s deep-sea habitat here.
Scientists Use Trawling to Uncover Lantern Sharks
Scientists from the Marine and Freshwater Research Institute of Iceland conducted ocean surveys during spring and fall to collect samples of lantern sharks. To do this, they employed a method called bottom trawling, which involves dragging a large net along the ocean floor to catch various sea creatures.
After catching the sharks, researchers carefully documented:
- Size, weight, sex, and maturity.
- Water temperatures in regions where the sharks were found.
The study revealed that the number of sharks caught was not influenced by specific water temperatures. Furthermore, scientists used similar techniques to measure the depths at which lantern sharks live.
Lantern Shark Surge: Thousands of Lantern Sharks Discovered in Iceland’s Freezing Depths
The study analyzed 10,579 trawl surveys, identifying:
- 4,614 lantern sharks in the fall.
- 3,959 lantern sharks in the spring. These surveys were conducted in southern and western Iceland, at depths ranging from 59 to 4,458 feet (18 to 1,359 meters) in cold waters with temperatures between 30 to 52°F (-1.0 to 11°C).
Lantern Shark Growth Secrets Revealed: Females Outgrow Males, Thriving in Chilly Waters
The study also revealed differences in growth between males and females::
- Females can grow to over 24 inches (60 cm).
- Males grow fully to 19 inches (48 cm).
Most sharks were found in water temperatures between 43 to 46°F (6 to 8°C).
Protecting Deep-Sea Sharks: Why Understanding Their Habitat and Growth Is Crucial
Human exploration of deep-sea areas exposes sharks to new risks, making it critical to understand their habitat and growth. Sharks in colder waters grow more slowly but achieve larger sizes. However, overfishing disrupts this pattern, as sharks caught in large numbers mature at smaller sizes and stop growing as large.
Effects of Ocean Acidification on sharks
Ocean pH levels, influenced by acidification, can also affect sharks. Learn more about this topic here.
Smart Fishing: New Shark Research Helps Protect Lantern Sharks and Avoid Bycatch
By understanding the temperatures and depths where lantern sharks reside, fishermen can avoid accidentally catching them while targeting other species like flounder, cod, mackerel, salmon, and trout. These findings help scientists locate sharks for future studies and develop strategies for their protection.
Interested in deep-sea sharks? Learn more about the ghost shark here.
You can read the full study here.
Summary of the scientific article written by By: Greer Jessie, BS Undergraduate Student, University of Florida and Shark Angels Intern
Scientific Study: Environmental preferences and critical habitat for the velvet belly lanternshark (Etmopterus spinax) in Icelandic waters by H. Mattina et al.