We aimed to confirm the occurrence of young bull sharks in several riverine systems, to determine their distribution and abundance in the rivers, and to collect environmental parameters at capture sites.
Our surveys usually started at low tide and typically lasted between two to six hours per day depending on weather conditions. We placed captured bull sharks in an on-board tank filled with river water Figure 3. The following parameters were recorded for each individual caught: total straight length Figure 4 , umbilical scar condition open, semi-healed, healed , and sex.
Also, captured bull sharks were tagged with an internal Passive Integrated Transponder below the first dorsal fin for individual identification Figure 3 prior to release Figure 5,6. In addition, using a water quality meter, surface and bottom water temperature, dissolved oxygen and salinity were recorded at the respective sampling locations in the Rewa and Sigatoka Rivers at the beginning and end of each fishing survey. After more than two years of extensive sampling, we captured neonate and YOY bull sharks in the Rewa River and are now able to show that the Rewa River may be a hot-spot for the study of neonate bull sharks in Fiji.
Also, we examined and compared environmental conditions of two rivers, showing that the environmental profile with the highest bull shark abundance in the Rewa River typically was oligohaline and that young bull sharks are more likely to occur in the Rewa than in the Sigatoka River.
The poor knowledge of population trends in bull sharks in this unique upwelling region, together with habitat alterations and an increasing local demand for shark products for domestic consumption may lead to a potential decline of some age-classes of different elasmobranch species that may go unnoticed. These new insights can provide a foundation for the urgently required assessments of essential shark habitats within the South Pacific.
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Notify me of new comments via email. Notify me of new posts via email. A WordPress. This article was reviewed and published by Laura, editor in chief and co-founder of Fiji Pocket Guide. Since arriving solo in the South Pacific over 10 years ago with nothing but a backpack and a background in journalism, her mission has been to show the world how easy and awesome it is to explore a paradise such as Fiji.
Laura is also editor of several other South Pacific travel guides. To contact us directly, use our contact page.
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Contact — Disclaimer. Skip to content. ZZ Things to Do Featured. Kuata Island The Moyia Reef , just a short boat ride from Kuata Island , is home to a spectacular array of reef sharks, as well as larger Bull Sharks which can only be seen through scuba diving.
Kadavu Located km 60m south of the mainland, Kadavu Island and its surrounding islands are another great base for diving and snorkelling with sharks in Fiji. Savusavu Nearby Savusavu is the incredible Namena Marine Reserve providing a safe haven for fish, turtles, humpback whales, soft coral and, of course, sharks!
Author Laura S. Contact Laura via our contact page. Be very careful when swimming, snorkeling, diving and surfing, as sharks can mistake people and objects for other creatures, especially if the water has little visibility. Do not partake in any of these activities alone, and avoid swimming and diving in the mouths of rivers, as well as snorkeling in the middle of a school of fish.
If you see sudden quick movement or bizarre behavior from animals in the ocean, get to shore as quickly as possible, as a shark could be nearby. Tiger sharks, bull sharks and oceanic white tips are some of the species that are known to be dangerous.
However, shark attacks on people are rare occurrences, so if you take the appropriate safety measures, it is unlikely that you will come in contact with these creatures.
At night, these snakes will slither on land and can even enter homes and buildings, so you should keep an eye out for them in the evening whether you are outdoors or indoors. However, these turtles have become severely endangered, and a few resorts on the islands have started conservation programs to help increase the turtle population and persuade local villagers not to kill these creatures for their meat. Though they may look cute and appear docile, you should not get too close and reach out to touch these turtles, as they can bite and you could spread bacteria to them, which can kill them and interfere with the attempts of rebuilding the population.
If you encounter them while in the ocean, do not make any sudden movements toward them, as this may cause them to feel threatened. Instead, simply enjoy the sight of these animals from a distance. Some other marine life can also deliver some nasty bites, so it is best to stay away from them.
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