White Sharks now found in this new US location
Source: National Geographic
In recent years, shark sightings have increased significantly in areas like New York and Massachusetts. Great white sharks, once rare in these regions, are now frequently spotted in new waters.
A recent study tracked dozens of sharks off the Maine coast, confirming a growing population. Researchers attribute this rise to conservation efforts and a rebound in prey species such as seals. As a result, white sharks are now expected to be annual visitors to the Atlantic Ocean near the north eastern U.S. This shift highlights changing marine ecosystems and the importance of continued monitoring and safety awareness along coastal areas.
Great white sharks found off the Coast of Maine
According to the A-Z-Animals reports, for over a decade, great white sharks have been increasingly appearing off Maine's coast. Initially, it was not a concern, but the trend took a deadly turn in 2020. In response to this unexpected shift, over 100 individual sharks were found at the place, and the researchers published their study in Frontiers in Marine Science.
After the first fatal shark attack in Maine's history—off the coast of Harpswell—researchers from multiple organizations, including the Atlantic White Shark Conservancy, the Maine Department of Marine Resources, the Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries, and others, collaborated on the study.
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The data they collected revealed patterns in the presence and movement of great white sharks off the Maine coast.
According to Matt Davis of the Maine Department of Marine Resources and the study's lead author, the proximity of sharks to shore and the time of the day they were spotted could be predicted only during the months the sharks were most active.
'We are excited to have this study published and continue to expand our understanding of white sharks in the western North Atlantic and the coastal waters in Marine,' Davis explains.
'This work could not have been done without the collaboration of many researchers and organizations, and we thank everyone involved'. The one point that the study did not discuss was why a great number of sharks are being found off the coast of Maine, and specifically in the Gulf of Maine.
Why great white sharks are being found in the Gulf of Maine
As great white sharks bulk up in preparation for winter, the Gulf of Maine has become a seasonal home for them. While there are several theories explaining the increase in their population, the exact reason remains unclear.
Historically, Maine's waters were thought to be too cold to support a large white shark population. However, due to climate change and warming ocean temperatures, the waters off Maine's coast are no longer too cold for these apex predators.
The Gulf of Maine is experiencing unprecedented ocean warming, with surface temperatures rising 97% faster than the global average. Record-breaking temperatures in 2021 and 2022—rising by 4.15°F and 3.72°F, respectively—have created ideal conditions for white sharks.
Water temperatures between 55°F and 60°F, combined with a booming seal population, have drawn large numbers of sharks to the area.
The seal population, which rebounded from a low of 6,000 in the early 1970s to now includes five diverse species, provides an abundant food source for the sharks.
Places where white sharks are traditionally found
In the past, only a few great white sharks migrated up to Maine during the summer and fall to feed before heading south for warmer waters in the winter.
However, in recent years, there has been a significant increase in their numbers off the Maine coast.
Before this surge, great white sharks were more commonly found off the coasts of North and South Carolina and Virginia. Shark attacks in northern waters were rare, as the sharks found ample prey in the Atlantic Ocean further south and had no need to venture north.
However, as seal populations have increased off the coasts of New York, Massachusetts, and Maine, great white sharks have followed. This has expanded their range along the East Coast, making their presence no longer unusual, but a permanent fixture in the warmer summer waters of the North Atlantic.
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