Date of Award
Spring 2009
Document Type
Legacy Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science in Coastal Marine and Wetland Studies
Department
Coastal and Marine Systems Science
College
College of Science
First Advisor
Daniel C. Abel
Second Advisor
Keith R. Walters
Third Advisor
Sharon L. Gilman
Abstract
The behavioral responses of southern stingrays (Dasyatis americana) and nurse sharks (Ginglymostoma cirratum) to permanent magnets were evaluated in the Florida Keys, USA. A baited magnetic treatment board consisting of two 15 x 10 x 5 cm grade-C8 barium-ferrite (empirically, BaFe12O19) permanent magnets and a baited procedural control board containing two smooth clay bricks were placed into shallow water to observe behavioral preferences. In the presence of permanent magnets, D. americana and G cirratum demonstrated a significantly greater number of avoidance behaviors towards the magnet side of the apparatus, while both species fed a significantly greater number of times from the procedural control side. That Dasyatis americana and Ginglymostoma cirratum were successfully repelled from baited areas containing magnets supports further investigation of the use of grade C8 barium-ferrite permanent magnets as a repellent to reduce elasmobranch bycatch or mortality during fishing operations.
Recommended Citation
O'Connell, Craig P., "The Effects of Permanent Magnets as an Elasmobranch-selective Repellent" (2009). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. 81.
https://digitalcommons.coastal.edu/etd/81