Resource selection functions (RSFs) have been widely applied to animal tracking data to examine relative habitat selection and to help guide management and conservation strategies. While readily used in terrestrial ecology, RSFs have yet to be extensively used within marine systems. As acoustic telemetry continues to be a pervasive approach within marine environments, incorporation of RSFs can provide new insights to help prioritize habitat protection and restoration to meet conservation goals. To overcome statistical hurdles and achieve high prediction accuracy, machine learning algorithms could be paired with RSFs to predict relative habitat selection for a species within and even outside the monitoring range of acoustic receiver arrays, making this a valuable tool for marine ecologists and resource managers. Here, we apply RSFs using machine learning to an acoustic telemetry dataset of four shark species to explore and predict species-specific habitat selection within a marine protected area. In addition, we also apply this RSF-machine learning approach to investigate predator-prey relationships by comparing and averaging tiger shark relative selection values with the relative selection values derived for eight potential prey-species. We provide methodological considerations along with a framework and flexible approach to apply RSFs with machine learning algorithms to acoustic telemetry data and suggest marine ecologists and resource managers consider adopting such tools to help guide both conservation and management strategies.

Objective: Shark depredation, the full or partial consumption of a hooked fish by a shark before it is landed, is an increasing source of human–wildlife conflict in recreational fisheries. Reports of shark depredation in the catch-and-release Tarpon (also known as Atlantic Tarpon) Megalops atlanticus fishery in the Florida Keys are increasing, specifically in Bahia Honda, a recreational fishing hot spot and a putative Tarpon prespawning aggregation site. Methods: Using visual surveys of fishing in Bahia Honda, we quantified depredation rates and drivers of depredation. With acoustic telemetry, we simultaneously tracked 51 Tarpon and 14 Great Hammerheads (also known as Great Hammerhead Sharks) Sphyrna mokarran, the most common shark to depredate Tarpon, to quantify residency and spatial overlap in Bahia Honda. Result: During the visual survey, 394 Tarpon were hooked. The combined observed shark depredation and immediate postrelease predation rate was 15.3% for Tarpon that were fought longer than 5 min. Survival analysis and decision trees showed that depredation risk was highest in the first 5–12 min of the fight and on the outgoing current. During the spawning season, Great Hammerheads shifted their space use in Bahia Honda to overlap with Tarpon core use areas. Great Hammerheads restricted their space use on the outgoing current when compared to the incoming current, which could drive increased shark–angler interactions. Conclusion: Bahia Honda has clear ecological importance for both Tarpon and Great Hammerheads as a prespawning aggregation and feeding ground. The observed depredation mortality and postrelease predation mortality raise conservation concerns for the fishery. Efforts to educate anglers to improve best practices, including reducing fight times and ending a fight prematurely when sharks are present, will be essential to increase Tarpon survival and reduce shark–angler conflict.

Flats ecosystems are dynamic, shallow, nearshore marine environments that are interconnected and provide immense ecological and socio-economic benefits. These habitats support a diversity of fish populations and various fisheries, yet they are increasingly threatened by anthropogenic stressors, including overfishing, habitat degradation, coastal development, and the cascading effects of climate change. Effective habitat management and restoration are essential but are often missing for flats ecosystems. Despite navigating a landscape of imperfect knowledge for these systems, decisive action and implementation of habitat protection and restoration is currently needed through policy and practice. We present a comprehensive set of 10 strategic guiding principles necessary for integrating habitat management and restoration for the conservation of interconnected flat ecosystems. These principles include calls for comprehensive ecosystem-based ­management, integrating adaptive strategies that leverage diverse partnerships, scientific research, legislative initiatives, and local and traditional ecological knowledge. Drawing on successes in other environmental management realms, we emphasize the importance of evidence-informed approaches to address the complexities and uncertainties of flats ecosystems. These guiding principles aim to advance flats habitat management and restoration, promoting ecological integrity and strengthening the socio-economic resilience of these important marine environments.