Save the… Sharks!?
“We have been hating sharks on general principles for centuries, and in some ways they have deserved it; but now it is high time that they should pay up.” This was a 1928 invitation to harvest sharks in Scientific Monthly (now Science). This mentality has been accepted by generations of fishermen and fishery managers. However, modern scientific consensus shows many of the world’s shark stocks have decreased to unprecedented levels. The magnitude, timing, causes, and consequences of this decline have been the subject of intense debate fueled primarily by a lack of historical base-line data.
This presentation will focus on shark declines predicted using unique data sets from long-standing fishing tournament along the northern Gulf of Mexico. Dr. Stunz will also discuss his latest research to improve the state of Gulf fisheries. This will include state-of-the art tagging technology on sharks and other important fisheries in our region.
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About Greg
Greg Stunz, Ph.D. is marine biologist that specializes in fisheries ecology and sport-fisheries. He holds the Endowed Chair of Fisheries and Ocean Health at the Harte Research Institute for Gulf of Mexico Studies and is a Professor of Marine Biology at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi. He is also Director for the Center for Sportfish Science and Conservation. He received both his M.S. and Ph.D. in Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences from Texas A&M University (1995, 1999), and a B.S. in Biology from the University of Texas at San Antonio (1990).
A major goal of Dr. Stunz’s research program is to provide scientific data for sustainable management of our marine fisheries and ocean resources to ensure healthy environments. His research program is diverse but currently focuses on migration patterns marine life using a variety of state-of-the-art electronic tracking devices, diving and ROV studies of artificial reefs in the Gulf of Mexico, and the understanding the vital role that estuaries and near-shore waters play in sustaining marine populations. Specifically, his research includes understanding how artificial reef enhance fisheries, the roles of apex predators (i.e., sharks) in Gulf ecosystems and tracking their movement patterns, dolphin-fish migration patterns and life history studies, red snapper ecology and management, several projects dealing with many estuarine fishes such as spotted seatrout and red drum and their sustainable management, and many others.
Dr. Stunz is also engaged with numerous boards, panels, scientific advisory committees from the local to national levels. In addition to numerous scientific publications, his research program is frequently covered by television, radio, print news, and other media outlets.
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Dr.GregStunz
- Twitter: @gregstunz
- Instagram: @SportFishCenter
- Website: http://www.SportFishCenter.org
- Email: Greg.Stunz@tamucc.edu