Oceanic Whitetip Shark: The Open Ocean's Apex Predator

The oceanic whitetip shark (Carcharhinus longimanus) is a large-bodied pelagic predator that occupies tropical and subtropical waters worldwide. This article provides a focused profile of the species, detailing its distribution, hunting behavior, ecological role, and conservation status. The content draws on peer-reviewed research to give students, researchers, life-science professionals, and informed general readers a practical understanding of this shark's biology and the management challenges it presents.

Species Identification and Key Statistics

The oceanic whitetip shark is readily identified by its long, paddle-shaped pectoral fins with distinctive white tips, a rounded first dorsal fin, and a stocky body. The species was once described as among the most abundant large sharks in the open ocean, but populations have declined substantially in several regions.

The species is a requiem shark in the family Carcharhinidae. It is often confused with the silky shark (Carcharhinus falciformis), which shares a similar distribution and is also caught in tropical tuna fisheries. The oceanic whitetip has a bulkier body and more rounded fins compared to the silky shark's more slender build and smaller first dorsal fin.

Global Distribution and Habitat Use

Oceanic whitetip sharks are found throughout tropical and subtropical oceans, typically in waters warmer than 20°C. They are true pelagic sharks, spending most of their time in the open ocean instead of near coastlines or reefs. Their distribution spans the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans, with concentrations in the Caribbean, the Gulf of Mexico, the eastern tropical Pacific, and the waters around French Polynesia.

Research on the horizontal and vertical movement ecology of oceanic whitetip sharks in French Polynesia has documented their use of both oceanic and island-associated habitats. The species is known to make long-distance movements but also shows site fidelity to certain areas, which has implications for marine protected area design and fisheries management.

Vertical Movement Patterns

Satellite tagging studies have revealed that oceanic whitetip sharks continually oscillate throughout the upper 200 meters of the water column. A study of 16 individuals using pop-up satellite tags found that vertical movements are strongly influenced by water temperature and mixed layer depth. In summer, when the water column is stratified with high sea surface temperatures, the sharks increased the amplitude and cycle length of their oscillations and reduced time spent in the upper 50 meters. In winter, when the water column was cooler and well-mixed, oscillations decreased in amplitude and the sharks frequently occupied the upper 50 meters.

The same study identified a sea surface temperature of 28°C as marking a distinct change in vertical movements and the onset of thermoregulation strategies. This behavioral thermoregulation is important because large-bodied pelagic ectotherms need to maintain internal temperatures within a favorable range to maximize performance and be cost-efficient foragers. As ocean temperatures warm, these movement patterns may shift, with unknown consequences for the species' ecology.

Hunting Behavior and Feeding Ecology

Oceanic whitetip sharks are opportunistic predators that feed on a wide variety of prey, including bony fishes, other sharks, rays, cephalopods, and occasionally seabirds and marine mammals. They are known to associate with drifting objects such as logs, buoys, and floating seaweed, which attract aggregations of small fishes and provide foraging opportunities.

The species is also known to follow pods of pilot whales and other cetaceans, feeding on the remains of their prey. This scavenging behavior, combined with active predation, gives the oceanic whitetip a broad dietary niche within pelagic ecosystems.

Trophic Position and Ontogenetic Patterns

Stable isotope analysis of vertebrae from 25 oceanic whitetip sharks collected in the central and eastern tropical Pacific has provided insight into their feeding habits. The study found a wide range of carbon isotope values (-18.1 to -12.3‰) and nitrogen isotope values (8.9 to 14.8‰), indicating a diverse diet. Males and females had similar trophic positions with large niche overlap at similar growth stages. Both sexes showed increasing carbon isotope values but relatively constant nitrogen isotope values along the vertebrae, suggesting that they share similar feeding strategies and movement patterns throughout their lives.

This finding is significant for management because it suggests that male and female oceanic whitetip sharks do not segregate by feeding habitat in the way that some other shark species do. The results enhance understanding of sexual ontogenetic patterns and the ecological role of the species, and they highlight the applicability of vertebrae for characterizing shark life-history traits.

Comparison with Other Pelagic Sharks

The trophic ecology of oceanic whitetip sharks can be compared with that of other pelagic sharks to understand their ecological role. Research on the pelagic thresher shark (Alopias pelagicus) in Baja California Sur, Mexico, found that this species occupies a mean trophic position of 4.5, corresponding to a tertiary predator. The pelagic thresher showed regional differences in isotopic values, with higher nitrogen values in Santa Rosalía attributed to baseline differences between regions. In one region, there were significant differences by sex for nitrogen in muscle, while carbon showed ontogenetic shifts, indicating that neonates feed in coastal areas more commonly than juveniles or adults.

Unlike the oceanic whitetip, which shows consistency between sexes in feeding strategies, the pelagic thresher in some regions showed sex-based differences in isotopic niche. These differences between species underscore the importance of species-specific research for conservation planning.

Ecological Role in Pelagic Ecosystems

Oceanic whitetip sharks are apex predators that play a central role in marine ecological processes. As top predators, they regulate communities through competitive, predatory, and territorial interactions. Their presence and abundance influence the behavior, population dynamics, and distribution of interacting organisms.

A study of the elasmobranch community at Cocos Island National Park in the Eastern Tropical Pacific analyzed a 26-year underwater visual survey dataset to examine species co-occurrence and its effect on abundance and diversity. The study identified three types of species interactions within the elasmobranch community: competition, predation, and ecosystem preference. Most species had a negative relationship with the co-occurrence of other elasmobranchs, underscoring the importance of potential competitive and predatory interactions.

The study found that the elasmobranch community shifted from a sparse, low richness network in the early 1990s to a more diverse, densely connected community in the late 2010s, with diversity peaking in 2006. This shift highlights the dynamic nature of pelagic ecosystems and the importance of long-term monitoring for understanding ecological relationships.

Impact on Trophic Dynamics

Apex predators potentially have diverse dietary niches and a large impact on the trophic dynamics within ecosystems. The oceanic whitetip shark's position at the top of the pelagic food web means that changes in its abundance can have cascading effects on lower trophic levels. However, the difference in life history between males and females often leads to increased difficulty in management and conservation.

Research on trophic ecology of sharks in the mid-east Pacific Ocean inferred from stable isotopes has contributed to understanding these dynamics. The broad isotopic niche of oceanic whitetip sharks suggests that they are generalist predators that can adapt to changes in prey availability, but this also means that they may be vulnerable to declines in multiple prey species simultaneously.

Threats and Conservation Status

Oceanic whitetip sharks face a range of anthropogenic threats, with fisheries bycatch being the most significant. The species is caught incidentally in pelagic longline fisheries targeting tuna and billfish, as well as in purse-seine fisheries. Their large pectoral fins are highly valued in the shark fin trade, which creates an incentive for finning even when the carcass is discarded.

Vulnerability to Fishing Gear

A comprehensive assessment of the vulnerability of 256 marine megafauna species to 23 at-sea threats found that 70 species had high vulnerability to at least one threat, primarily drifting longlines, temperature extremes, or fixed gear. Elasmobranchs were found to have the highest vulnerability to five fishing threats, including drifting longlines. The study rated drifting longlines as having some of the most severe effects, with steepest population declines.

The oceanic whitetip shark is among the species most vulnerable to drifting longline fisheries. Their tendency to remain near the surface and their attraction to floating objects make them particularly susceptible to capture in surface longlines set for tuna and swordfish.

Bycatch Reduction Strategies

Research on purse-seine tropical tuna fishing in the eastern tropical Pacific Ocean has explored adaptive spatiotemporal management to reduce shark bycatch. Using fisheries observer data collected from 1995 to 2021, researchers identified persistently high-risk areas for bycatch of silky sharks and oceanic whitetip sharks, as well as areas of low tuna catch rates.

The study found that when areas of high fishing inefficiency were closed for the entire study period and effort was reallocated proportionally to reflect historical effort patterns, yearly tuna catch appeared to increase by 1 to 11 percent, whereas bycatch of silky and oceanic whitetip sharks decreased by 10 to 19 percent and 9 percent, respectively. Prior to fishing effort redistribution, bycatch reductions accrued to 21 to 41 percent and 14 percent for silky and oceanic whitetip sharks, respectively.

These results demonstrate the high potential for reducing elasmobranch bycatch in the eastern tropical Pacific without compromising catch rates of target species. Seasonal and adaptive spatial measures can reduce fisheries impacts on nontarget species while maintaining or increasing target catches.

International Trade Regulation

The oceanic whitetip shark is listed under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), which regulates international trade in the species. Enforcement of these regulations is often hampered by the inability to identify products to the species level, particularly when sharks are traded as dried fins or processed meat.

A portable, cost-effective High-Resolution Melt (HRM) assay has been developed for rapid DNA-based identification of elasmobranch species in trade. Using a reference library of 669 vouchered tissue samples collected from field operations and international market surveys, the assay can accurately differentiate at least 55 shark and ray species based on melt curve profiles, including 38 species listed under CITES. Automated image classification enabled high-throughput identification with 99.2 percent accuracy. The assay yields results within two hours at a per-sample cost of $1.50 and is compatible with portable qPCR platforms, making it suitable for on-site applications.

This molecular enforcement tool can empower local authorities to monitor trade more effectively, support compliance with international regulations, and enhance global efforts to combat wildlife trafficking.

Conservation Planning and Marine Protected Areas

Effective conservation of oceanic whitetip sharks requires understanding their habitat use and designing management measures that protect critical areas. The species is highly mobile, and its movements span national jurisdictions and international waters, complicating conservation efforts.

Habitat Suitability Modeling

Research on juvenile shark habitat in northwestern Australia used baited remote underwater video systems to develop generalized linear models for predicting the occurrence of juvenile sharks. The study found that species-level models had higher accuracy and deviance explained than order-level models, and that maps of predicted occurrence revealed different species-specific patterns of highly suitable habitat.

Highly suitable habitats were poorly represented in marine protected areas with the most restrictions on extractive activities. This spatial mismatch possibly indicates a lack of explicit conservation targets and information on species-specific habitat requirements. The study validates concerns over the utility of conservation targets based on aggregate species groups as opposed to a species-focused approach.

For oceanic whitetip sharks, which are primarily oceanic instead of reef-associated, marine protected areas in coastal waters may provide limited protection. Conservation planning must account for the species' pelagic habitat use and the need for management measures that extend beyond national jurisdiction.

Global Tracking and Conservation Targets

A global assessment of space use of highly mobile marine megafauna assembled a multi-taxa tracking dataset of 11 million geopositions from 15,845 tracked individuals across 121 species. The study showed that 63 percent of the area that these species cover is used 80 percent of the time as important migratory corridors or residence areas.

The assessment found that the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework's 30 percent threshold for protected areas will be insufficient for marine megafauna's effective conservation, leaving important areas exposed to major anthropogenic threats. Coupling area protection with mitigation strategies such as fishing regulation and wildlife-traffic separation will be essential to reach international goals and conserve biodiversity.

For oceanic whitetip sharks, this means that marine protected areas alone are unlikely to ensure the species' survival. Bycatch reduction measures in fisheries, international trade regulation, and mitigation of other threats must be implemented in combination with spatial protection.

Population Baselines and Historical Abundance

Understanding the historical abundance of oceanic whitetip sharks is important for setting conservation targets. Studies of historical ecology provide qualitative evidence that large predators were once numerous in marine ecosystems, but quantifying density in the absence of humans is hindered by a paucity of pertinent time-series data.

Research on Pacific reef sharks analyzed data from 1607 towed-diver surveys conducted at 46 reefs in the central-western Pacific Ocean, including some of the world's most pristine coral reefs. The study found that estimates of shark density from towed-diver surveys were substantially lower than published estimates from surveys along small transects, which is not consistent with inverted biomass pyramids reported by other researchers for pristine reefs.

The study examined the relation between the density of reef sharks observed in towed-diver surveys and human population in models that accounted for the influence of oceanic primary productivity, sea surface temperature, reef area, and reef physical complexity. Densities of gray reef sharks, whitetip reef sharks, and the group "all reef sharks" increased substantially as human population decreased and as primary productivity and minimum sea surface temperature increased.

While this study focused on reef sharks instead of oceanic whitetip sharks, it demonstrates the importance of establishing population baselines for understanding the magnitude of declines and setting recovery targets. Similar approaches could be applied to pelagic species, although the challenges of surveying open ocean habitats are greater.

Emerging Threats and Future Research

Beyond fisheries bycatch, oceanic whitetip sharks face emerging threats from climate change and offshore infrastructure development. Understanding these threats is essential for comprehensive conservation planning.

Climate Change Impacts

Temperature extremes were rated among the top threats for all marine megafauna taxa except bony fishes in a vulnerability assessment of 256 species to 23 at-sea threats. The study found that temperature extremes and plastics and other solid waste were rated as affecting the largest proportion of populations.

For oceanic whitetip sharks, the behavioral thermoregulation documented in satellite tagging studies suggests that warming ocean temperatures could alter their vertical movements and habitat use. The identification of 28°C as a threshold for changes in vertical movements has implications for the ecology of these animals in a warming ocean. As sea surface temperatures rise, the species may shift its distribution poleward or alter its depth use, with unknown consequences for prey availability and fisheries interactions.

Offshore Wind Farm Development

Large-scale development of the offshore wind farm industry is planned for Australian waters, which are home to an estimated 314 species of sharks and rays. A precautionary environmental risk assessment based on the hierarchical productivity-susceptibility approach estimated the magnitude of offshore wind farm impacts on sharks and rays.

Of 314 species considered, 39 species were considered to be of potential concern. At a regional level, electromagnetic fields and secondary entanglement were identified as the main potentially negative impacts, whereas altered food chains, increased food availability through artificial structure, and protection from fishing interactions were identified as potentially positive impacts. At the level of offshore wind farm designated zones, electromagnetic fields, habitat alteration, barriers to movement, and secondary entanglement were identified as the key potential negative impacts.

Species-specific research and impact mitigation may be required for higher-risk species, including the oceanic whitetip shark. The species' pelagic habitat use means that it may be less affected by coastal infrastructure than reef-associated species, but the cumulative effects of multiple threats require careful assessment.

Deep-Sea Occurrence

Recent observations have revealed twilight zone occurrence for some pelagic shark species. Novel deep-sea observations documented twilight zone occurrence for the bignose shark (Carcharhinus altimus) and the silky shark (Carcharhinus falciformis). While the oceanic whitetip shark is primarily found in the upper 200 meters of the water column, the discovery of deeper habitat use by related species suggests that the full depth range of pelagic sharks may be underestimated.

Further research is needed to determine whether oceanic whitetip sharks also make excursions into deeper waters and what ecological role such movements might play. The species' vertical movement patterns are likely to be more complex than currently understood, with implications for fisheries management and conservation planning.

Research Methods and Data Collection

Studying oceanic whitetip sharks presents significant challenges due to their pelagic habitat and wide distribution. Researchers use a variety of methods to collect data on the species, each with its own strengths and limitations.

Satellite Tagging

Pop-up satellite archival tags provide data on the horizontal and vertical movements of oceanic whitetip sharks. These tags record depth, temperature, and light levels, which can be used to estimate geographic position. The tags are programmed to release from the shark after a set period and transmit data to satellites.

Satellite tagging studies have provided valuable information on the species' movement patterns, including the influence of temperature on vertical movements and the identification of thermoregulation strategies. However, the number of tagged individuals is relatively small, and tagging is biased toward sharks that can be captured and handled safely.

Stable Isotope Analysis

Stable isotope analysis of vertebrae and muscle tissue provides information on the feeding ecology of oceanic whitetip sharks. Carbon isotopes indicate the base of the food web supporting the shark, while nitrogen isotopes indicate trophic position. Because vertebrae grow throughout the shark's life, analysis of different sections can reveal ontogenetic changes in diet.

A study of 25 oceanic whitetip sharks from the central and eastern tropical Pacific used retrospective stable isotope analysis of vertebrae to evaluate potential ontogenetic differences in feeding habits and niche width between sexes. The results showed that males and females had similar trophic positions with large niche overlap at similar growth stages, indicating that they may share similar feeding strategies and movement patterns.

Fisheries Observer Data

Fisheries observer programs collect data on the catch and bycatch of commercial fishing vessels. This data is essential for understanding the impact of fisheries on oceanic whitetip sharks and for evaluating the effectiveness of management measures.

A study using fisheries observer data collected from 1995 to 2021 explored the spatiotemporal persistence of areas of high bycatch risk for silky sharks and oceanic whitetip sharks in the eastern tropical Pacific. The data was collected by fisheries scientific observers onboard approximately 200 large purse-seine vessels operating under 10 different flags. Fishing effort, catch, and bycatch data were aggregated spatially and temporally at 1° by 1° cells and monthly, respectively.

Underwater Visual Surveys

Underwater visual surveys, including towed-diver surveys and baited remote underwater video systems, are used to assess shark abundance in coastal and reef habitats. While oceanic whitetip sharks are primarily oceanic, they may be observed near islands and seamounts where they aggregate.

A study of elasmobranch species co-occurrence at Cocos Island National Park in the Eastern Tropical Pacific analyzed a 26-year underwater visual survey dataset. The study used network statistics, diversity indices, and Bayesian species interaction models to examine the effect of interspecific interactions on the abundance and diversity of individual populations.

Management Recommendations and Professional Escalation

Effective management of oceanic whitetip sharks requires a combination of measures at national, regional, and international levels. The following recommendations are based on the available scientific evidence.

Fisheries Management

Bycatch reduction in pelagic longline and purse-seine fisheries is the most urgent management priority for oceanic whitetip sharks. Adaptive spatiotemporal management, including seasonal closures of high-risk areas, can reduce bycatch while maintaining or increasing target catches. The study of purse-seine fisheries in the eastern tropical Pacific demonstrated that closing areas of high fishing inefficiency could reduce bycatch of oceanic whitetip sharks by 9 to 14 percent while increasing tuna catch by 1 to 11 percent.

Fisheries managers should consider implementing similar measures in other regions where oceanic whitetip sharks are caught as bycatch. Observer programs and electronic monitoring are essential for verifying compliance and evaluating the effectiveness of management measures.

Trade Regulation

Enforcement of CITES regulations for oceanic whitetip sharks requires tools for identifying products to the species level. Portable DNA-based identification assays, such as the High-Resolution Melt assay described above, can empower local authorities to monitor trade more effectively. These tools are cost-effective and can be used on-site, making them suitable for use in ports and markets.

Marine Protected Areas

Marine protected areas alone are unlikely to ensure the conservation of oceanic whitetip sharks due to their pelagic habitat use and wide distribution. However, protected areas can contribute to conservation when combined with other measures. The global assessment of marine megafauna space use found that the 30 percent threshold for protected areas will be insufficient for effective conservation, leaving important areas exposed to major anthropogenic threats.

Professional Escalation Criteria

Researchers and managers working with oceanic whitetip sharks should escalate concerns to appropriate authorities when the following conditions are observed:

• Evidence of illegal finning or trade in oceanic whitetip shark products
• Bycatch rates that exceed established thresholds or show increasing trends
• Observations of the species in areas where it has not been previously recorded, which may indicate range shifts
• Evidence of entanglement in fishing gear or marine debris
• Signs of disease or abnormal behavior in tagged or observed individuals

Common Failure Patterns in Conservation Efforts

Conservation efforts for oceanic whitetip sharks have faced several challenges that have limited their effectiveness. Understanding these failure patterns can inform future management decisions.

Insufficient Species-Specific Data

Many conservation assessments rely on aggregate data for multiple shark species, which can obscure species-specific patterns. Research on juvenile shark habitat in northwestern Australia found that species-level models had higher accuracy and deviance explained than order-level models, and that maps of predicted occurrence revealed different species-specific patterns of highly suitable habitat. Conservation targets based on aggregate species groups may not adequately protect individual species with different habitat requirements.

Spatial Mismatch Between Protected Areas and Habitat

Highly suitable habitats for juvenile sharks were poorly represented in marine protected areas with the most restrictions on extractive activities. This spatial mismatch possibly indicates a lack of explicit conservation targets and information on species-specific habitat requirements. For oceanic whitetip sharks, which are primarily oceanic, coastal marine protected areas may provide limited protection.

Inadequate Enforcement of Trade Regulations

Illegal trade in sharks and rays continues to undermine global conservation efforts, with enforcement often hampered by the inability to identify products to the species level. The development of portable DNA-based identification tools addresses this challenge, but these tools must be deployed and used effectively by enforcement authorities.

Climate Change Uncertainty

The effects of climate change on oceanic whitetip sharks are poorly understood. The identification of temperature thresholds for behavioral changes suggests that warming oceans could alter the species' movements and habitat use, but the ecological consequences of these changes are unknown. Conservation planning must account for this uncertainty and incorporate adaptive management approaches.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the typical size of an oceanic whitetip shark?

Oceanic whitetip sharks can reach approximately 3.5 to 4 meters in total length. They have a stocky body with long, paddle-shaped pectoral fins that are distinctive among pelagic sharks. The species is smaller on average than the whale shark or basking shark but is one of the larger predatory sharks in the open ocean.

How deep do oceanic whitetip sharks dive?

Oceanic whitetip sharks continually oscillate throughout the upper 200 meters of the water column. Their vertical movements are influenced by water temperature and mixed layer depth. In summer when the water column is stratified with high sea surface temperatures, they increase the amplitude and cycle length of their oscillations and reduce time spent in the upper 50 meters. In winter when the water column is cooler and well-mixed, they decrease oscillation amplitude and frequently occupy the upper 50 meters.

What do oceanic whitetip sharks eat?

Oceanic whitetip sharks are opportunistic predators that feed on a wide variety of prey, including bony fishes, other sharks, rays, cephalopods, and occasionally seabirds and marine mammals. Stable isotope analysis has revealed a wide range of carbon and nitrogen isotope values, indicating a diverse diet. They are known to associate with drifting objects and to follow pods of pilot whales, feeding on the remains of their prey.

Why are oceanic whitetip sharks vulnerable to fishing?

Oceanic whitetip sharks are caught incidentally in pelagic longline fisheries targeting tuna and billfish, as well as in purse-seine fisheries. Their tendency to remain near the surface and their attraction to floating objects make them particularly susceptible to capture in surface longlines. Their large pectoral fins are highly valued in the shark fin trade, which creates an incentive for finning even when the carcass is discarded.

How can fisheries reduce oceanic whitetip shark bycatch?

Adaptive spatiotemporal management, including seasonal closures of high-risk areas, can reduce bycatch while maintaining or increasing target catches. Research in the eastern tropical Pacific found that closing areas of high fishing inefficiency could reduce bycatch of oceanic whitetip sharks by 9 to 14 percent while increasing tuna catch by 1 to 11 percent. Identifying persistently high-risk areas in the open ocean is essential for exploring the impact of fisheries closures.

What is the conservation status of the oceanic whitetip shark?

The oceanic whitetip shark is listed under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), which regulates international trade in the species. The species faces a range of anthropogenic threats, with fisheries bycatch being the most significant. Globally, 32.6 percent of shark, ray, and chimera species are considered to be threatened with extinction.

How do researchers study oceanic whitetip sharks?

Researchers use a variety of methods to study oceanic whitetip sharks, including satellite tagging, stable isotope analysis, fisheries observer data, and underwater visual surveys. Satellite tagging provides data on horizontal and vertical movements, while stable isotope analysis of vertebrae and muscle tissue provides information on feeding ecology. Fisheries observer data is essential for understanding the impact of fisheries on the species.

What is the ecological role of the oceanic whitetip shark?

Oceanic whitetip sharks are apex predators that play a central role in marine ecological processes. As top predators, they regulate communities through competitive, predatory, and territorial interactions. Their presence and abundance influence the behavior, population dynamics, and distribution of interacting organisms. Apex predators potentially have diverse dietary niches and a large impact on the trophic dynamics within ecosystems.

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References and Further Reading

• NCBI Literature Resources. National Center for Biotechnology Information.
• PubMed. National Library of Medicine.
• Retrospective stable isotopes of vertebrae reveal sexual ontogenetic patterns and trophic ecology in oceanic whitetip shark, Carcharhinus longimanus.. Ecology and evolution, 2022.
• Temperature and the vertical movements of oceanic whitetip sharks, Carcharhinus longimanus.. Scientific reports, 2018.
• Global tracking of marine megafauna space use reveals how to achieve conservation targets.. Science (New York, N.Y.), 2025.
• Re-creating missing population baselines for Pacific reef sharks.. Conservation biology : the journal of the Society for Conservation Biology, 2012.
• Vulnerability of marine megafauna to global at-sea anthropogenic threats.. Conservation biology : the journal of the Society for Conservation Biology, 2026.
• Predicting occurrence of juvenile shark habitat to improve conservation planning.. Conservation biology : the journal of the Society for Conservation Biology, 2017.
• Integrating portable qPCR and image recognition to combat illegal trade in sharks and rays.. 2025.
• Inter-specific relationships and their ecological role in an oceanic elasmobranch community. 2025.
• Adaptive spatiotemporal management to reduce shark bycatch in tuna fisheries. 2024.
• Fish and coral communities shape elasmobranch reef use in southern Mozambique.. 2025.
• An ecological risk assessment for the impacts of offshore wind farms on sharks and rays in Australia. 2025.
• Novel deep-sea observations reveal twilight zone occurrence for two species of pelagic sharks: the bignose shark Carcharhinus altimus and the silky shark Carcharhinus falciformis. Environmental Biology of Fishes, 2024.
• Trophic Ecology during the Ontogenetic Development of the Pelagic Thresher Shark Alopias pelagicus in Baja California Sur, Mexico. Diversity, 2023.
• Individual differences in diel and vertical activity patterns in a large pelagic predator, the oceanic whitetip shark. Marine Biology, 2022.
• Trophic habitat shifts during ontogeny of the scalloped hammerhead shark Sphyrna lewini using stable isotopes analysis in vertebrae. Environmental Biology of Fishes, 2025.
• Horizontal and vertical movement ecology of the oceanic whitetip shark (Carcharhinus Longimanus) in French Polynesia. Marine Biology, 2025.
• Trophic ecology of sharks in the mid-east Pacific ocean inferred from stable isotopes. Journal of Ocean University of China, 2014.

This article is educational and does not replace institutional policy, professional advice, or applicable safety and regulatory requirements.