During a research cruise in March, the team from PRETOMA, who are studying the shark populations of Cocos island, discovered that a female hammerhead, tagged in Galapagos in July 2007 had appeared at Cocos at the end of September.

During a research cruise in March, the team from PRETOMA, who are studying the shark populations of Cocos island, discovered that a female hammerhead, tagged in Galapagos in July 2007 had appeared at Cocos at the end of September.

The shark was registered at several listening stations around the island over a period of two weeks.

Ilena Zanela, a researcher with PRETOMA, said “this is the third case of a hammerhead tagged in Galapagos arriving at Cocos. We also have a case from Malpelo.” It appears that there is certainly the potential for connectivity between the three oceanic archipelagos.”

Shark residencies at oceanic seamounts, and their migratory routes from one area to another, are important considerations in the protection of these species, and in assessing their level of vulnerability to fishing gear.