Abstract
Shark health is very important to the health of marine ecosystems, but it has been minimally studied in the past. In this study, a new health assessment procedure was established by combining traditional methods of overall health assessment, such as condition factor, with newer methods focused on parasitic parameters, such as fin rot infections and ectoparasites. This study indicates that condition factor may decrease and fin rot may increase with increased shark recaptures. Also, female sharks may experience more intensive fin rot than males and the left side of the first dorsal fin may be more susceptible to fin rot as well. Dermophthirius nigrelli monogenean flatworms, Stibarobdella macrothela leeches, and Rocinella signata isopods were found only on sharks exhibiting fin rot which may support the hypothesis that certain parasites increase shark susceptibility to other parasites and infections by decreasing immunity or acting as vectors. Analysis of these findings established a baseline for the juvenile lemon shark population in South Caicos, Turks and Caicos Islands. This population is in relatively good health and should be monitored for changes as coastal development continues on this island. It may act as good model for the effects of coastal development on shark populations and marine ecosystem health in the future. For continued monitoring of this population, condition factor measurements should be combined with fin rot analysis and ectoparasite observations as demonstrated in this study.