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How shark ‘turf wars’ affect seabird nesting in Hawaii
Tiger sharks concentrate around fledgling seabirds each summer, causing gray reef and Galápagos sharks to shift habitats, highlighting ecosystem sensitivity to bird population changes.
- Each summer at the remote French Frigate Shoals, fledgling seabirds concentrate tiger sharks in specific areas, forcing gray reef and Galápagos sharks to shift habitat or timing to avoid attacks.
- Researchers say the seabird pulse creates an indirect land-sea link, with the HIMB team warning Hurricane Walaka damage to nesting habitat risks cascading effects on Hawaii's marine ecosystems.
- Using acoustic transmitters, the University of Hawaii Mānoa HIMB tracked sharks for two years and fish surveys confirmed shifts reflected predator avoidance, not prey changes.
- After the seabird season, tiger sharks leave French Frigate Shoals and gray reef sharks avoid areas completely while Galápagos sharks shift times or zones.
- Published in Ecosphere, the study highlights management relevance as researchers say seabirds shape top-predator movements and ripple through food webs, stressing ecosystem sensitivity at Hawaii's marine areas.
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14 Articles
14 Articles
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Total News Sources14
Leaning Left0Leaning Right3Center3Last UpdatedBias Distribution50% Center, 50% Right
Bias Distribution
- 50% of the sources are Center, 50% of the sources lean Right
50% Right
C 50%
R 50%
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