Biology and Management of Dogfish Sharks

6. Movement Patterns of Spiny Dogfish within the Strait of Georgia

Gordon A. McFarlane and Jackie R. King

doi: https://doi.org/10.47886/9781934874073.ch7

Abstract.—The development of effective ecosystem management requires an understanding of the movements of the species of interest within and between ecosystems. The present study examines the movement of spiny dogfish Squalus acanthias within the Georgia basin (Strait of Georgia and Puget Sound). A total of 51,063 dogfish were tagged in the Strait of Georgia from 1978 to 1988. In general, dogfish tagged in a specific region tended to be recaptured within the same region regardless of years at liberty. However, a complex movement of dogfish within the Strait of Georgia proper (which includes north Puget Sound) as well as south Puget Sound was noted. The findings of this study have important implications for the development of trans-boundary management strategies to ensure sustained dogfish fishing opportunities for both Canada and the USA.