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Barracuda Research in the Cooke Lab
The great barracuda (Spyraena barracuda) are distributed
within Western Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea, and Indo-Pacific
regions, typically inhabiting reef areas, seagrass beds and
offshore pelagic areas. Barracuda are a piscivorous species
often observed both in small schools (2 or 3 individuals)
or exhibiting solitary behaviour. At present, very little
is known about the basic biology of the great barracuda in
terms of foraging activities, spawning behaviour, and seasonal
migration. Apart from the ecological importance as an apex
predator, barracuda hold great importance to humans in terms
of recreational and subsistence fishing and ciguatera poisoning
(a disease associated with human consumption of barracuda
meat).
The Flats Ecology and Conservation Program (which includes
members from Carleton University, the University of Illinois
and Cape Eleuthera Institute) is currently conducting research
using state-of-the-art biotelemetry techniques to link the
spatial ecology of the great barracuda and the occurrence
of ciguatera poisoning. To date, we have implanted acoustic
transmitters in 23 barracuda in the waters of Eleuthera, The
Bahamas. These fish are being tracked continuously with an
array of more than 50 receiving stations. We are also conducting
research on the stress physiology of barracuda relative to
different angling practices. During angling we record information
such as duration of the fight, duration of handling, and injuries.
We also collect a small blood sample and then release the
fish. Collectively, this research will unveil information
on the basic biology of the great barracuda, leading to a
heightened ecological understanding and conservation of the
species.
Student: Amanda O'Toole, M.Sc. Candidate
Advisors: Dr. Steven Cooke and Dr. Andy Danylchuk
Collaborators:
Flats Ecology and Conservation Program
http://www.ceibahamas.org/flats-ecology.html
Flats Update Newsletter-Spring 2008
Cape Eleuthera Institute
http://www.ceibahamas.org
Dr. John Ramsdell and Dr. Yasmine Bottien
NOAA Marine Biotoxins Program
http://www.chbr.noaa.gov/default.aspx?category=mb&pageName=biotoxin
Biomonitoring Methods for Toxins
http://www.chbr.noaa.gov/default.aspx?category=mb&pageName=bmi1
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