Project Brief
Deep-Sea Sharks Belize, Honduras

2019-BZ-HN-DS1

Since 2015, MarAlliance has been conducting research into the deep- sea sharks that inhabit the MesoAmerican Reef (MAR). We use a combination of scientific vertical longline and a specially-designed baited remote underwater video (BRUV) to investigate the abundance and distribution of these little-studies species in depths greater than 150 meters.
  800 Vertical longlines

63 Underwater videos

12 Species of sharks captured
??	6 Species not yet identified

Belize

Map of capture locations for all species of deep-sea sharks in Belize and Honduras

Honduras

Findings indicate that species diversity is high and varies widely among regions. We have documented a potential mating aggregation of night sharks (Carcharhinus signatus black arrow) in Belize and identified a possible nursery area for juvenile gulper sharks (Centrophorus sp.) in Honduras (red arrow).

Icons from flaticon.com: Freepik, Eucalyp

For more information visit www.maralliance.org

For more information visit www.maralliance.org

A dusky smoothhound shark captured on camera at 350 m in Belize

Taking measurements of a gulper shark for taxonomic identification

Depths of capture for all sharks captured in Belize and Honduras

One new species has been described - the Atlantic sixgill shark (Hexanchus vitulus), and we are currently working with colleagues to use taxonomy and genetics to identify six species of lanternsharks (Etmopterus spp.), dogfishes (Squalus spp.), smoothhhounds (Mustelus spp.) and gulper sharks (Centrophorus spp).
Deep-sea sharks are among the least- studied animals in the world, so each new capture brings new knowledge to the field.

The BRUV is used to identify benthic habitats, potential prey items, and non- invasively “capture” deep-sea sharks in their natural environments. Designed to be light- weight, it is deployed and retrieved by hand, giving us insights into habitats that have never been seen before!