Sharks of Coastal Georgia

A complete understanding of habitat use at specific life stages is required to develop the strongest management strategies for coastal marine fish species. Although there is an increasing body of knowledge regarding juvenile shark habitat use in the southeastern US, quantitative assessment of community distribution in Georgia’s inshore waters remains limited. This includes information  regarding the presence, abundance, and habitat usage of several managed and protected shark species. This research is investigating how juvenile sharks use the various habitats within Georgia's inshore estuarine waters. Our work specifically focuses on species and habitats that have been historically under-assessed in the region. The information we gain about how juvenile sharks use the Georgia coast will help fill knowledge gaps and provide managers with more complete information about the sharks of Georgia.