Silky Sharks of the Revillagigedo National Park: Migrating Across Troubled Waters
Project Leader
Tracking silky shark migration in Revillagigedo to identify key habitats and inform conservation strategies for this vulnerable species.
Tracking Silky Shark Migrations Beyond Protected Waters
This project focuses on the migration and conservation of silky sharks (Carcharhinus falciformis) in and around Revillagigedo National Park, Mexico. Using satellite tags (SPOT and PSAT), researchers are tracking the movements of adult female silky sharks—many of them pregnant—to understand their travel routes after leaving the park’s protected waters. Early findings show that several tagged sharks were caught by fisheries shortly after exiting the reserve, highlighting their vulnerability and the high risk of mortality they face beyond protected zones.
PROJECT LEADER
Dr. Mauricio Hoyos
Dr. Mauricio Hoyos is the Director and Co-founder of Pelagios Kakunja in La Paz, Mexico. Since 1998, he has led shark research across several countries, focusing on nursery areas, reproduction, and migration. He sits on scientific committees for marine reserves in Mexico and actively contributes to conservation policy.
A passionate communicator, Mauricio has given around 300 talks, advised international documentaries, and earned multiple awards for his work. He’s a member of Mexico’s National System of Researchers and has authored over 85 scientific publications, a book, and several conservation manuals.
Informing Conservation Through Real-Time Data
The project aims to identify critical habitats, evaluate threats from fishing, and produce scientific data to support stronger conservation policies. It also emphasizes the need for protections that extend beyond marine reserves, as silky sharks migrate across vast distances and international boundaries. By tracking these sharks in near real-time, the research team hopes to contribute valuable insights into their life history and help curb population declines driven by overfishing.
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