Spatial ecology and habitat use of leopard sharks (Stegostoma tigrinum) in south-east Queensland: integrating acoustic telemetry
and drone survey data

Leopard sharks (Stegostoma tigrinum) are globally listed as Endangered, yet Australia — where the species is listed as Threatened — represents an important location to study their biology and movement ecology. In south-east Queensland, leopard sharks form predictable seasonal aggregations during austral summer, with strong site fidelity to specific locations such as ‘The Group’ off North Stradbroke Island. Here, aggregations are dominated by large adult females exhibiting predominantly resting behaviour, suggesting a possible reproductive function, though this remains unconfirmed.

Despite this, much remains unknown about leopard shark spatial ecology in the region. What drives their movements within and between seasons? Where do individuals go when absent from known aggregation sites for hours or days at a time? How are sharks using the broader coastal habitat across the latitudinal range from Rainbow Beach to Byron Bay?

This project addresses these questions by integrating two complementary data streams: acoustic telemetry data from the Integrated Marine Observing System (IMOS) array, and drone survey data from the Queensland SharkSmart program spanning nine beaches across south-east Queensland. Together, these methods allow fine-scale analysis of diel and seasonal movement patterns near aggregation sites alongside broader-scale patterns in coastal occurrence and sightability. Environmental drivers — including wave height, temperature, and time of year — will be examined to explain variation in both presence and movement behaviour, with comparisons made between males and females.

Specific aims of the project:

To characterise broad-scale patterns in leopard shark occurrence and sightability across south-east Queensland beaches using drone survey data from the SharkSmart program, and identify key environmental predictors.
To analyse fine-scale acoustic telemetry data near known aggregation sites to describe diel and seasonal movement patterns, including differences between male and female sharks.
To assess the complementarity of drone and acoustic telemetry detection methods for leopard sharks and evaluate what each data stream uniquely contributes to understanding spatial ecology.
To investigate what drives shark absences from aggregation sites, including whether individuals move offshore or to deeper waters during within-season departure events.