In the last couple of years, white sharks have increased throughout the Northeast coast of the U.S. and even in Canada. Of course this makes people feel excited and worried at the same time: they are excited because it reflects the environmental recovery whereas they are worried because of climate change effects and safety at beaches. So, if you want to know more about the situation, we have a simple explanation for you about what’s going on.
New York
Scientists have recently confirmed the existence of a white shark nursery in front of the coast of New York. The striking thing is that there are only 3 of them in the entire world and it’s estimated that about 200 white shark babies are born there each year!
After a year learning how to survive, these young sharks tend to migrate toward the north, normally to Cape Cod (Massachusetts).However, researchers are now observing them even farther north, into Canadian waters.
Why are white sharks increasing?
Well, this is mainly because of the success of conservation. White sharks were nearly extinct, but marine protection has allowed them to recover their figures. For example, these are two reasons for this increasement:
- More food available: gray seals have increased in the Northeast and they are white sharks’ main food source.
- Healthier ecosystems: the fact that there is a nursery in the New York Bright area (between Long Island, New Jersey, and New York) proves that the ecosystem is healthier than it was decades before. Even nearby one of the most populated urban areas of the planet.
Why do they go to the north?
Unfortunately, not everything is as good as it seems. Researchers believe that the heating of water could be moving nurseries toward the north and the east.
First of all, young white sharks cannot regulate their body temperature. They need warmer waters—around 70°F—to survive. Warm waters also protect them from larger predators and provide plenty of prey.
Also, if the nursery shifts too far north or east, the babies may end up in areas where adult white sharks, makos, and other predators could hunt them.
In the meantime, adult white sharks have already been seen more in the North (Maine and Nova Scotia). A recent study indicates this is due to increasing population and expanding distribution. In fact, it is estimated that Cape Cod waters have the highest number of white sharks in the world.
Changes in their habits and more sightsings
Another important factor is the changes in white sharks’ habits during summer months, when they expand their hunting areas toward the North because of prey availability and water temperature.
Part of the increase may also come from technology. With more drones and coastal monitoring, people are simply seeing and reporting white sharks more often. As one expert explained, if you’re not used to hearing about sharks, it may seem alarming—but they’ve always been present in these waters. The difference is that today, we have more tools to spot them.
So…
We know it might be worrying to have white sharks near the coasts, but experts remember that they have always been part of the ecosystem. What has changed is that in current times, thanks to technology and science, we are more aware of their presence.
Think about insects, we know they are way smaller, but we have to live and deal with them (even though they are so annoying). So, just try to have an open mind and think about the positive things about these white sharks being around the coasts, maybe this way you see them differently.