Tracking Hammerhead Sharks with Argos Services

With their unique hammer-shaped heads and sleek, powerful bodies, hammerhead sharks are among the most recognizable predators in the ocean. But behind their striking appearance lies a troubling reality, many species of hammerheads are listed as endangered due to overfishing, habitat degradation, and accidental bycatch. To protect these animals, scientists need to better understand how they move, where they live, and how they respond to human activities. That’s where satellite tracking and remote monitoring tools come in. Argos Services, powered by CLS, plays a vital role in supporting these conservation efforts, delivering high-precision data from the sea to the science labs.

A New Chapter in Hammerhead Research in Australia

Australia’s waters are home to several hammerhead species, including the greater hammerhead (Sphyrna mokarran), one of the most threatened. To gain a deeper understanding of these majestic animals, Sunshine Coast University has launched a research project using Argos Services to track and monitor their behavior.

Recently, our expert Oliver Palin from CLS Oceania joined the research team during a tagging expedition. The team successfully attached a SPOT tag to a greater hammerhead shark. Designed to stay connected for months or even years, this satellite tag transmits movement data via Argos Services, allowing researchers to study the shark’s range and habitat use in near real-time.

Just weeks after deployment, the results are already fascinating: the shark has traveled more than 176 nautical miles in just 53 days, highlighting its extensive and dynamic use of the coastal environment.

Monitoring Shark Survival with CATSCAM Technology

Beyond long-distance tracking, the project is also exploring short-term survival after shark encounters with SMART drumlines. SMART (Shark-Management-Alert-in-Real-Time) drumlines are designed to notify operators the moment a shark is hooked, allowing for rapid response and release. This approach offers a more humane and potentially less harmful alternative to traditional drumlines, but it’s essential to understand whether the sharks truly survive and recover well after release.

The team deployed a CATSCAM, a camera system that records post-release behavior. Argos Services was used again to support the recovery of the CATSCAM, ensuring that crucial footage was retrieved for analysis. This video evidence provides valuable insight into shark health and behavior following capture, helping to evaluate and improve the effectiveness of SMART drumlines in reducing harm to non-target species.

We’re excited to follow this project as more data comes in, and we’re proud to see Argos Services contributing to cutting-edge conservation science. By combining satellite technology with marine biology, we’re one step closer to ensuring a future where hammerhead sharks continue to thrive in Australia’s oceans and beyond.