El hammerhead shark is back in the spotlight after a series of recent investigations and sightings that shed light on the migratory behavior of this emblematic species and its delicate state of conservation. Scientists have closely monitored a female named Alice, who has undertaken an unprecedented journey through the Pacific, while fishermen in Yucatán have documented unique feeding scenes of this peculiar shark.
Combining technology Cutting-edge research and international cooperation has allowed us to better understand the life of the hammerhead shark, while rekindling the debate on the urgent need to protect it from extinction. fishery and other threats that threaten their survival.
The first migratory tracking of a hammerhead shark to give birth
An international team of researchers, led by the Charles Darwin Foundation and supported by various scientific entities, managed to monitor an adult female of Sphyrna lewini, one of the currently critically endangered species of hammerhead shark. The protagonist, nicknamed Alice, was marked on the Darwin Island of the Galapagos archipelago in February 2023. The satellite transmitter, carefully installed so as not to stress it, allowed data to be collected every time it approached the ocean surface.
What makes this follow-up unique is that, during the observed period, Alicia performed a a journey of about 6.000 kilometers, moving from the Galapagos to the coast of Panama and later into international waters. The journey included a key stop at the Gulf of Chiriqui, known as a breeding ground for hammerhead sharks, where scientists suspect that gave birth to between 15 and 30 pupsAfter this short stay, Alicia migrated west, where she remained until her transmitter battery died in September, marking the end of tracking.
This follow-up represents the longest distance recorded so far for this species, and constitutes the first scientific evidence of the movement of pregnant females to give birth, key information for understanding their life cycle.
Research highlights the importance of these movements for the reproduction and conservation of hammerhead sharks, which face multiple threats in their natural habitats.
A species that swims against the current: threats and new challenges
El common hammerhead shark is currently critically endangered, according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List. Its global population is estimated to have fallen by more than 80% in just three generations, mainly due to overfishing, the degradation of coastal areas and the strong demand for their fins in international markets.
Experts emphasize that, despite the existence of some marine protected areas, many females in the process of giving birth are still captured during their long migrations. Furthermore, newborn sharks They also suffer the consequences of fishing pressure in coastal breeding areas, which hinders the recovery of the species.
Another relevant fact provided by the research is that Alicia spent about 40% of the follow-up time in International waters, outside the protected boundaries of the Galapagos. This fact indicates that the regional and international cooperation It is essential to stop indiscriminate fishing on the high seas and ensure the survival of these animals.
Coastal Adventures: Birdwatching and Hunting in the Yucatan
Beyond scientific projects, the hammerhead shark has recently been the protagonist of a viral phenomenon on social media thanks to a video recorded near RÃo Lagartos, in eastern Yucatán. In the recording, local fishermen capture the moment a specimen of this species devours a ray, a natural behavior that highlights the hunting skill of the shark and its ecological importance.
The shark's surprising size and hunting ability have caught the attention of the online community, generating renewed interest in the species' status and ecology. According to the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (Semarnat), hammerhead shark It can reach four meters in length and lives in tropical and temperate seas around the world, although human pressure keeps it as one of the most vulnerable shark species.
These kinds of testimonies, both from scientists and citizens, underscore the limited information we have about the behavior and migrations of hammerhead sharks, but also the need to improve the protection of their habitats and control their accidental capture.
Advances in tracking and increased social awareness are uncovering previously unknown details about these iconic sharks and their extensive travels. Stories like Alicia's and the sightings in Yucatán highlight the importance of a coordinated action and sustained to ensure that the hammerhead shark continues to roam the oceans and maintain its key role in marine balance.