Study Takes a ‘Bite’ Out of Shark Depredation Using Citizen Science

Shark depredation is a rising issue in recreational fishing, especially in Florida, where sharks steal fish straight off anglers’ lines. Researchers harnessed citizen science – social media, angler surveys, charters – and genetic analysis, to investigate the problem. Findings reveal that snapper-grouper species are the most targeted, with bull and sandbar sharks as the primary culprits. Nearly half of anglers reported depredation. These insights help shed light on the extent of this human-wildlife conflict and its impact on different fishery sectors.