Biscayne Bay is a busy recreation spot for boaters and swimmers, but new research shows it also serves as a critical nursery for threatened sharks and rays. Catherine Macdonald, director of shark research at the University of Miami’s Rosenstiel School, said her team has spent more than 10 years collecting data on how sharks use the bay’s habitats.
Her team found that Biscayne Bay is important to some part of the life cycle for 13 species of sharks and rays. Eight of those species are considered threatened. The bay’s shallow water, seagrass meadows and old reef systems create conditions that help young animals avoid predators and find food, Macdonald said.
The species range from large sharks, such as tigers, bulls and great hammerheads, to the small bonnethead shark. The work led to the bay being designated as an “important shark and ray area,” or ISRA, a first for the bay.
Macdonald said sharks play a key role in healthy marine ecosystems, which already face pressure from global warming and coastal development. Researchers hope the designation will be weighed when the city of Miami makes future development decisions.
The report was presented by WSVN’s Heather Walker, who reported on the findings for the station’s 7 Investigates unit.
