This footage was filmed and produced 22 January 2024.

In a groundbreaking study led by biologists at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, the depredation rate of great hammerhead sharks on Atlantic tarpon in Bahia Honda, Florida, has been unveiled. The research, utilizing high-tech acoustic telemetry equipment and extensive field observations, demonstrated that 15.3% of tarpon hooked by anglers were preyed upon while still on the line.

The tarpon fishery, vital to the Southeastern and Gulf states, faces challenges as increased encounters between anglers, tarpon, and sharks occur. As great hammerhead sharks are listed as critically endangered, conservation efforts must strike a delicate balance to protect both tarpon and hammerhead populations.

The study suggests practical solutions for anglers, including using fishing gear to expedite tarpon landing, avoiding fishing during outgoing tides when depredation is more likely, and fostering an ecosystem-friendly approach.