Bonnie Holmes with a tiger shark jawbone

PhD student Bonnie Holmes tagging a wobbegong as a trial for her tiger shark research

UQ PhD student Bonnie Holmes said the lack of knowledge about tiger sharks and their decreasing numbers in South East Queensland motivated her to focus her research on the large ocean predator.
 
“This information will be very valuable to the community because limited knowledge exists about tiger shark migratory patterns, preferred areas to hunt or breed in, or how they are impacted by humans,” Ms Holmes said.
 
“They’re thought of as mindless killers, but I want to show what lies behind their behaviour and why they are important to the Australian ecosystem.”
 
Ms Holmes will attach satellite tags to tiger sharks of different ages, gender and size to gain information about their migration, feeding and mating patterns under varying conditions and circumstances.
 
Her research outcomes will benefit the community through enhanced beach management and bather safety as well as adjusted conservation and fisheries management.
 
The research is the first of its kind in Southern Queensland and will be conducted between Kingscliff in northern New South Wales and the Town of 1770 in Queensland.
 
While the use of satellite tags will provide essential shark tracking data, industry support is required to sustain the project over its three-year lifespan.
 
Satellite tags will cost between $1,700 and $3,500 each. Current research partners include the Department of Primary Industry and Fisheries, and the Queensland Wildlife Preservation Society, but more support is required to maximise the project’s outcomes.
 
Ms Holmes plans to tag at least 30 tiger sharks and collect data via the satellite tracking tags that transmit stored GPS data to the ARGOS satellite each time the shark surfaces.
 
“I’m planning one 4 day field trip each month during winter and 2 each month in summer when there appear to be more tiger sharks in SEQ waters.”
 
Ms Holmes will get a closer look at tiger sharks behaviour by diving with the 3 to 5 metre long sea creature.
 
Ms Holmes aims to raise sufficient funds to commence her field work in September. If you would like to make a contribution, get involved or find out more about the research, please contact Bonnie on the details below.

Further information:
Bonnie Holmes
Mobile  0411 240 806
Phone   07 3161 9383
Fax         07 3311 4988
Email     b.holmes@uq.edu.au