Abstract
Migratory marine species traverse vast geographic ranges and exhibit complex cyclical movements that can span hundreds to thousands of kilometers. These species are critical indicators of ecosystem health and climate change due to their roles as top predators. This dissertation focuses on the use of satellite telemetry to monitor and predict areas of habitat use and migration corridors of highly mobile shark species, which are particularly challenging to manage due to their extensive range and need for coordinated management efforts. Certain life history traits of highly mobile sharks- slow growth, late maturity, and low fecundity- make them highly vulnerable to anthropogenic threats and climate change impacts. Indeed, many shark species have already faced significant population declines. While multiple international and regional policies have been put in place to address these declines, many shark populations are still threatened with overexploitation due to commercial fisheries and incidental bycatch, which will only be further compounded by the effects of climate change that alter their suitable habitat. Global changes like rising sea surface temperature, ocean acidification, and altered ocean circulation patterns impact the distribution of highly mobile sharks. Exploring the current distribution of highly mobile sharks and the environmental conditions within these areas will provide a baseline to understand how they may respond to predicted changes in the future.