The nurse shark (Ginglymostoma cirratum) is abundant in coastal waters of the Atlantic Ocean, yet they remain relatively understudied, aside from their reproductive behavior. Previously listed as ‘data deficient’ by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), their status was updated to ‘vulnerable’ in 2021. This recent status update indicates additional research on this species is critical. Nurse shark populations in The Bahamas present an ideal study system as there are long-term datasets available for investigation on their morphometrics, movements, and genetics. To assess the age and growth of this species, we used mark-recapture data of 91 individual nurse sharks from Bimini, The Bahamas, and found that nurse sharks are slower-growing and longer-lived than previously thought, with the oldest individual predicted to be 43 years old. A long-term acoustic monitoring program of shark species in Bimini has additionally revealed that nurse sharks are capable of making long-distance migrations with evidence of repeated return migrations back to Bimini. In lieu of these discoveries, combining genetics with telemetry data has become increasingly important in fisheries management to assess population connectivity and diversity within species. Using over 350 samples of nurse shark tissues from The Bahamas, we aim to determine the population structure of nurse sharks in this area to help contribute crucial information to the conservation of this ‘vulnerable’ species.

Bio
Baylie Fadool is a master’s student and teaching assistant in The Lamp Lab with Dr. Rene Martin. She received her bachelor’s degree in biological sciences from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL) in December 2020. Following her graduation, she got an internship at the Bimini Biological Field Station Foundation (BBFSF) that turned into a 3-year position as the Media Manager and Outreach Coordinator. In these positions, she did underwater photography for BBFSF, ran and designed most of the education programs, and assisted with all research activities while also publishing her own research on nurse shark age and growth. Baylie continues to collaborate with BBFSF now for her master’s project investigating the population genetics of nurse sharks in The Bahamas. At UNL, Baylie is also involved in the School of Natural Resources Graduate Student Association and UNL Fisheries Club.