Two new studies led by researchers from the University of Massachusetts Amherst have shed light on the mating habits of nurse sharks and the growing tensions between recreational anglers and marine predators in the Northeast Shelf Large Marine Ecosystem. These findings, published in the journals Environmental Biology of Fishes and Fisheries Research, reveal the first known seasonal breeding ground for nurse sharks in the Virgin Islands and the first survey of recreational anglers who have had their catches taken by predators like sharks and seals. The nurse sharks were found to mate in the shallow waters of Windlass Bight on the island of Anegada. Researchers describe this area as a critical breeding site, which they refer to as the sharks’ "bedroom." The site is particularly sensitive to human activity, and the study observed that the presence of people seemed to disturb the sharks, who prefer to mate without disturbance. The researchers stress the importance of preserving such sites and recommend further efforts to identify and protect other shark breeding grounds. In the same region, recreational anglers are increasingly encountering conflicts with marine predators such as seals and sharks. This is partly due to conservation efforts that have helped these predators recover their populations. A survey of 954 anglers found that the likelihood of encountering a shark or seal depended on location—specifically, latitude and how far offshore they fished. Anglers who fished farther south and farther from shore were more likely to encounter sharks, while seals were more commonly seen in northern, near-shore areas. Anglers who frequently lost their catch were more likely to support reducing the numbers of the prey species that predators rely on. In areas where both sharks and seals were a problem, anglers tended to blame seals more than sharks. The researchers note that as ocean temperatures rise and shark populations continue to recover, these conflicts are likely to become more complex. They emphasize the need for collaboration between social and natural scientists to help guide conservation and management strategies. This approach could help balance the needs of marine ecosystems with the interests of recreational anglers.