Monitoring since 2013
The Mediterranean Conservation Foundation has been working since 2013 to monitor sandbar sharks and preserve marine biodiversity in Boncuk Cove.
Species · Marine Species
Sandbar shark
The sandbar shark (Carcharhinus plumbeus) is among the largest coastal shark species in the world.
Photo: Akdeniz Koruma Vakfı Arşivi
At a glance
The sandbar shark (Carcharhinus plumbeus) is among the largest coastal shark species in the world.
With lifespans exceeding 30 years, they are among the long-lived creatures.
Thirty-seven percent of shark and ray species in the world's waters are under threat.
Bycatch is the greatest threat to sandbar sharks.
The Mediterranean Conservation Foundation has been working since 2013 to monitor sandbar sharks and preserve marine biodiversity in Boncuk Cove.
- %37
- Shark and ray species under threat
- 280 m
- Deepest known distribution
- 9-12 ay
- Gestation period
- 1-14
- Number of pups per litter
About
The sandbar shark (Carcharhinus plumbeus) is among the largest coastal shark species in the world. They reach about one and a half metres in length. With lifespans exceeding 30 years, they are among the long-lived creatures.
2010The year Boncuk Cove became one of the six No-Fishing Zones in Gökova Bay
100 mGeneral depth distribution
60-65 cmTypical length of newborn pups (45-65 cm in the Mediterranean)
Sandbar shark distribution in Türkiye
For a region to be classified as a shark breeding area:
- There should be a higher number of sharks compared to other regions.
- Sharks should stay in this region for longer periods or show a tendency to return to the area.
- The same region or habitat should be used repeatedly over the years.
What is an Important Shark and Ray Area (ISRA)?
References
- Compagno, L. J. V. (1984). Sharks of the world: an annotated and illustrated catalogue of shark species known to date. Rome: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.
- Serena, F. (2005). Field identification guide to the sharks and rays of the Mediterranean and Black Sea. Rome: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.
- Piercy, A. N., Carlson, J. K., Sulikowski, J. A., & Burgess, G. H. (2016). Historical occurrence of Carcharhinus spp. in the Sea of Marmara during the 1950s. Marine Biodiversity Records, 9(1), 1-5.
- Fowler, S. L., Cavanagh, R. D., Camhi, M., Burgess, G. H., Cailliet, G. M., Fordham, S. V., … & Musick, J. A. (2005). Sharks, rays and chimaeras: the status of the chondrichthyan fishes. Gland, Switzerland: IUCN.
- Saidi, B., Bradai, M.N., Marouani, S., Guelorget, O., Capape, C. (2006): Atypical characteristics of an albino embryo of Carcharhinus plumbeus (Chondrichthyes: Carcharhinidae) from the Gulf of Gabès (southern Tunisia, central Mediterranean). Acta Adriatica, 47(2): 167-174.
- IUCN. (2012). IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2012.2. Retrieved from [http://www.iucnredlist.org]
- Heupel, M. R., Carlson, J. K., & Simpfendorfer, C. A. (2007). Shark nursery areas: concepts, definition, characterization and assumptions. Marine Ecology Progress Series, 337, 287-297.
- Florida Museum. (2023). Sandbar Shark. Retrieved from [https://www.floridamuseum.ufl.edu/discover-fish/species-profiles/carcharhinus-plumbeus/]
- (sharkrayareas.org)
For this species
What we do
Full-time camera system
The Foundation monitors the number of individuals, frequency of sightings, and behaviours of the species with a full-time camera system. Thousands of hours of footage are recorded and analysed each year, and all observed data, including date, time, water temperature, and oxygen saturation, are processed to understand the effects of climate change on the species.
Patrols in Boncuk Cove
Through the Marine Ranger System, the Foundation patrols Boncuk Cove and immediately informs the relevant authorities when illegal activities are encountered. The Mediterranean Conservation Foundation carries out all these monitoring activities with the permission and coordination of the relevant public institutions.
Important Shark and Ray Area (ISRA)
Based on the proposal we submitted in light of our work on sandbar sharks, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has designated Boncuk Cove, located within Gökova Bay, as an Important Shark and Ray Area (ISRA). Gökova Bay has been declared a relevant area (https://sharkrayareas.org/e-atlas/).
01Monitoring since 2013+
The Mediterranean Conservation Foundation has been working since 2013 to monitor sandbar sharks and preserve marine biodiversity in Boncuk Cove.
02Full-time camera system+
The Foundation monitors the number of individuals, frequency of sightings, and behaviours of the species with a full-time camera system. Thousands of hours of footage are recorded and analysed each year, and all observed data, including date, time, water temperature, and oxygen saturation, are processed to understand the effects of climate change on the species.
03Patrols in Boncuk Cove+
Through the Marine Ranger System, the Foundation patrols Boncuk Cove and immediately informs the relevant authorities when illegal activities are encountered. The Mediterranean Conservation Foundation carries out all these monitoring activities with the permission and coordination of the relevant public institutions.
04Important Shark and Ray Area (ISRA)+
Based on the proposal we submitted in light of our work on sandbar sharks, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has designated Boncuk Cove, located within Gökova Bay, as an Important Shark and Ray Area (ISRA). Gökova Bay has been declared a relevant area (https://sharkrayareas.org/e-atlas/).
