Research uses a replica of a turtle to assess the behavior of sharks in Fernando de Noronha

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Study is carried out by the Tubarões e Rayas Project in Praia do Sueste and studies the way sharks see prey. False turtle was placed in the sea Tubarões e Rais Project/Disclosure Researchers from the Sharks and Rays Project of Fernando de Noronha placed an artificial bait in the Sueste Bay, in the shape of a turtle, to observe the behavior of tiger sharks in the region and the possible encounter of the animals. The work is part of a study carried out by the project that helps the Instituto Chico Mendes da Biodiversidade (ICMBio) to decide the rules for visiting the area. Swimming on this beach has been prohibited since January last year, when an 8-year-old girl was bitten by a shark and lost her leg. Share on WhatsApp Share on Telegram The researchers also carry out monitoring with the production of images using a drone. The fake turtle is a strategy used in several countries to help research. “The idea is to observe the approach of the tiger shark, estimate the animal’s size, sex, animal markings to find out if it’s the same shark that returns to the Southeast”, informs biologist Bianca Rangel, coordinator of the Sharks and Rays Project. The turtle replica was developed by researcher Alexandre Rodrigues and produced in satin vinyl foam in the size of a juvenile turtle. The bait was placed in the sea on February 15, by ICMBio, and began to be observed by the researchers. ALSO READ Surfer attacked by shark in Olinda; video shows rescue Shark attack survivor did not have leg amputated and remains stable Documentary filmmaker Fábio Borges, who is also part of the Sharks and Rays Project, monitors the Southeast by recording images with a drone. So far, a tiger shark attack on the turtle doll has not been identified. The researchers want to study whether the animal searches for prey based on its shape. “We want to prove the importance of vision, it is not a normal turtle, but it has the shape. The shark will see it as if it were a real turtle,” said Borges. Fábio Borges monitors the area with a drone Ana Clara Marinho/TV Globo “If the turtle is bitten, we can analyze the bite pattern, how they prey and compare with results around the world. This shark-tiger and turtle interaction is studied in several places, so we need to validate the behavior in Noronha”, explains biologist Bianca Rangel. Scholars believe that at this time of year, the turtles’ reproduction period, tiger sharks begin to frequent the island of Fernando de Noronha more intensively. Sea turtles are part of the tiger’s food chain. For Fábio Borges, the incidents of sharks with humans in Fernando de Noronha were errors in identifying the animal. “A worldwide analysis indicates that sharks are wrong. They investigate potential prey; the bite is an exploratory action”, stated Fábio Borges. ICMBio’s Research, Monitoring and Management coordinator, Ricardo Araújo, said that the research will help discover and map which animals are frequenting the Southeast. “Any research aimed at understanding these animals better and that does not offer risks to the animals and visitors is welcome”, evaluated Araújo. VIDEOS: most viewed from Pernambuco in the last 7 days

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