Key facts
- The largest tagged male great white shark in the Atlantic, named Contender, is traveling up the US and Canadian coast.
- Contender is nearly 14ft long and weighs over 1,650lbs, with its last known location off Nova Scotia on July 11.
- Shark sightings have surged in various locations, including New York and California.
- Scientists attribute these changes in shark movement patterns to rising ocean temperatures caused by climate change.
- While shark attacks remain rare, altered migration patterns may increase human-shark interactions.
The largest tagged male great white shark in the Atlantic Ocean, known as Contender, has been observed traveling along the coasts of the United States and Canada. This movement coincides with a reported surge in shark sightings in various locations, including New York and California.
Contender, measuring nearly 14 feet long and weighing over 1,650 pounds, was tagged by the shark research organization Ocearch. The shark has been tracked moving northwards, with its last known location off Nova Scotia, Canada, on July 11. Researchers believe Contender, estimated to be 30 years old, undertakes seasonal migrations between Florida and Canada.
Scientists suggest that rising ocean temperatures, driven by the human-caused climate crisis, are altering the migration patterns and ranges of several shark species. Shannon Barry, a researcher at the Florida Institute of Technology, noted that bull sharks are increasingly being found closer to shore and in estuaries, potentially leading to more human-shark interactions. The global water surface temperature recently hit a new record high, with oceans absorbing a significant amount of excess heat.
While the chances of a shark attack remain very small, the warming waters are pushing sharks into areas where they have not been seen before. Neil Hammerschlag, executive director of the Shark Research Foundation, mentioned that tiger sharks are now observed north of Cape Cod, a rare occurrence previously. Despite these changes, experts emphasize that sharks generally avoid humans and that fear should not deter ocean enjoyment. They advise taking precautions such as avoiding shiny jewelry and swimming at dusk.
It is noted that humans kill approximately 100 million sharks annually through fishing, which can damage marine ecosystems. Conversely, seeing more sharks can indicate a healthy food web. Conservation measures and increased surveillance have contributed to some shark population recoveries, making them more visible.