#TubbatahaTiger UPDATE!

August 5, 2016, the adult female tiger shark tagged by LAMAVE and the Tubbataha Management Office (TMO) has transmitted her location beyond the boundaries of the Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park (TRNP).

The female shark, which has been nicknamed #tubbatahatiger is the first tiger shark to be fitted with a satellite tag in the Coral Triangle. The deployment of the tag is part of a study by LAMAVE and TMO to understand more about the range and habitat use of tiger sharks both within the Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park and outside this marine protected area (MPA). The information gathered via satellite will be essential in helping to manage the future of the species within TRNP and the Philippines.

The map gives us an insight into her movements, with each marker representing a transmission sent via satellite each time she swam with the dorsal fin exposed above the surface of the water. The markers located within the park (inside the purple boundary) show that she is moving between both the North and the South Islet as well as further offshore.

While only the beginning of her journey, these results already reveal the importance of developing large marine protected areas, such as Tubbataha Reefs, which offer more complete habitat protection for apex predators such as tiger sharks. However, her journey outside the park implies that if we want to ensure a future for these incredible animals in the Philippines, the species needs to be protected nationwide and not just within marine protected areas such as TRNP, which is currently one of the only places to see these amazing sharks in the Philippines.

Where will she go next? Have you seen a tiger shark outside of Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park? Share your encounter with us and stay tuned for the next ping.

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