TOPP Tracks Marine Predators
Sharks, Seals, Birds, and Fish Tracked to Study Ocean Habitat Use
Tagging Of Pacific Predators, a project of the Census of Marine Life, monitors ocean animals. May improve protection of endangered species and management of fisheries.
The Tagging Of Pacific Predators (TOPP) project, part of the Census of Marine Life, is studying the movements of marine animals to better understand where they travel, feed, breed and give birth. To date, 22 species have been tagged using satellite transmitters. Information about these marine animals will aid in determining areas to be protected and better fisheries management strategies.
Marine Animals Being Tracked by TOPP
- Sharks - Many shark species are threatened with extinction, largely due to overfishing, finning and bycatch. It will be important to know actual shark numbers and critical habitat needs to make appropriate decisions about shark fisheries and marine protected area designation.
- Great White Shark (Carcharodon carcharias)-IUCN listed as Vulnerable since 1996. This slow reproducing species is only protected in some parts of its range and the value of that protection is questionable.
- Salmon Shark(Lamina ditropis)- Listed as Data Deficient with an unknown population trend.
- Shortfin Mako Shark (Isurus oxyrinchus) is considered a Lower Risk species. However, they are also vulnerable as they are popular with sportfishermen and tend to be victims of bycatch in the tuna and swordfish fisheries.
- Elephant Seals (Mirounga angustirostris) - while this species has made a spectacular recovery from near extinction, its long migration and deep diving behavior may provide information about the open ocean.
- Leatherback Sea Turtles(Dermochelys coriacea) are critically endangered, largely due to loss of nesting beaches, harvesting of eggs and fishing. The Great Turtle Race, which tracks females leaving nesting beaches will begin this year in June.
- Black-Footed Albatross(Phoebastria nigripes) is Endangered, as are most species of albatross, with a declining population. Bycatch in driftnets and longline fisheries, as well as marine pollution and losses to introduced predators are the biggest problems for this species.
Marine Animals Soon to be Tracked by TOPP
- Whales- Sperm Whales (Physeter macrocephalus) and Humpback Whales (Megaptera novaenagliae) which are listed as Vulnerable and the Blue Whale (Balaenoptera musculus) which is Endangered. Ship strike and fishing gear entanglement are problems for these marine mammals.
- Ocean Sunfish (Mola mola) is another species about which very little is known. They are threatened by fishing gear entanglement and plastic ocean debris which looks like jellyfish, an important food source.
- California Sea Lions (Zalophus californianus) are not at risk but have been playing a part in reducing populations of endangered salmon. This species is easily trained and has already been used to carry cameras which tracked other marine mammals.
- Humboldt Squid (Dosidicus gigas) is such a deep diving species (believed to live at 200-700meters) that very little is known about it.
- Blue Shark (Prionace glauca) is listed as Lower Risk but is being carefully monitored as it is the most heavily fished shark in the world.
- Albacore Tuna (Thunnus alalunga) is also heavily fished and is listed as Data Deficient. Determining the health of tuna populations is important for fisheries management and because of their role as a top ocean predator
- Pink-Footed Shearwater (Pugginus creatopus) is Vulnerable, as egg predation by introduced rats, cats and dogs and soil erosion from feral goats and rabbits on nesting islands is reducing reproductive rates. Marine pollution also affects this species.
- Laysan Albatross (Phoebastria immutabilis) is another Vulnerable seabird threatened by fishing gear entanglement and other marine pollution.
As part of the Census of Marine Life, the Tagging Of Pacific Predators website is a great place to get more information. There are classroom or home schooling activities and it is also possible to view live data on the animals being tracked. Publications by TOPP are available as well.
The copyright of the article TOPP Tracks Marine Predators in Ecosystem Preservation is owned by Dawn M. Smith. Permission to republish TOPP Tracks Marine Predators in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
