Latest news with #MassachusettsDivisionofMarineFisheries
Forbes
24-03-2025
- Science
- Forbes
Maine's Great White Sharks And What We Know So Far
New research reveals that over the past 13 years, more than 100 great white sharks have been ... More detected off Maine's coast, with the majority of sightings occurring in recent years and in relatively shallow waters. Over the past 13 years, great white sharks have increasingly made their presence known off Maine's coast. More than 100 individual sharks have been detected, with the majority of sightings occurring in recent years and notably in shallow waters. This shift in behavior has prompted researchers to dive deeper into understanding what these sharks are doing in Maine's waters, and their latest findings have just been published in Frontiers in Marine Science. The research is the result of collaboration between the Maine Department of Marine Resources, the Atlantic White Shark Conservancy, the Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries, and several other organizations. '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 Maine,' said Matt Davis, the lead author of the study and a scientist with the Maine Department of Marine Resources. 'This work could not have been done without the collaboration of many researchers and organizations, and we thank everyone involved.' This study is particularly significant because it marks the first time that researchers have been able to track the movements of white sharks over time in the region. The effort started in 2020, following a tragic event when a swimmer was killed by a white shark off the coast of Harpswell, marking Maine's first recorded fatal shark bite. In response to this incident, officials at the Maine DMR worked closely with other groups to expand the study of white sharks and their behavior in Maine's coastal waters. The team used an array of receivers placed along Maine's coastline, from York and Ogunquit to Kennebunk and Reid State Park. These receivers were designed to detect sharks that had been tagged off Cape Cod, Massachusetts, and Hilton Head, South Carolina. 'We are excited to have this study published and continue to expand our understanding of white ... More sharks in the western North Atlantic and the coastal waters in Maine,' said Matt Davis, the lead author of the study and a scientist with the Maine Department of Marine Resources. 'This work could not have been done without the collaboration of many researchers and organizations, and we thank everyone involved.' With the data collected over the years, researchers were able to develop a clearer picture of the sharks' movements and behavior patterns in the area. The findings show that these sharks are spending time in waters less than 50 meters (164 feet) deep off Maine, with peak sightings occurring between July and September; this aligns with previous observations of white sharks using similar habitats in other regions. But what stands out in this recent study is how often these sharks are detected during daylight hours. Half of the shark detections occurred during the day, a time when beaches are typically busy with human activity. This was particularly true along areas like Ogunquit, Kennebunk, and Head Beach in Phippsburg, which had some of the highest numbers of shark detections. Despite the uptick in shark sightings, the team also found that the frequency of white shark detections along Maine's beaches was still relatively low compared to other regions where these sharks are known to frequent. For example, areas off Cape Cod, which has long been known as a hotspot for white sharks, saw far more frequent detections. The team emphasized that while the presence of sharks in Maine waters is notable, there is no reason to believe that humans are at significant risk. While sharks are often feared, they are a vital part of the marine ecosystem, playing an important role in regulating the populations of other marine species. Their presence in Maine's waters suggests a healthy marine environment, which could be beneficial for the overall ecosystem. The scientists hope the findings of this study will help inform future management strategies in Maine. By understanding where and when white sharks are most likely to be detected, researchers and policymakers can better communicate with the public about how to safely enjoy Maine's beaches without unnecessary fear. As Maine continues to see more shark detections in its waters, studies like this will be crucial in ensuring that shark conservation efforts continue while also keeping human safety a priority.
USA Today
14-03-2025
- USA Today
Headed to a beach for spring break? What to know about shark-tracking tools like OCEARCH
Headed to a beach for spring break? What to know about shark-tracking tools like OCEARCH Show Caption Hide Caption Massive great white shark caught and tagged off Florida-Georgia coast Contender is a 1,653-pound great white shark, the largest male tagged and released by OCEARCH scientists. He was tagged off the Florida-Georgia coast. Multiple great white sharks have pinged off the coasts of Florida in recent weeks as spring break tourists descend on the peninsula. The sharks are tracked by OCEARCH, which has followed hundreds of sharks in the United States and Canada. One of the sharks tracked, nicknamed 'Contender,' weighs more than 1,600 pounds and measures almost 14 feet. In 2024, more than 140 million people visited the Sunshine State. So, naturally, there is going to be interest among tourists and residents of where these nautical beasts roam, no matter how rare attacks really are. With spring break upon us, here is what you need to know about great white sharks and the OCEARCH shark tracker. What is the OCEARCH shark tracker? North Atlantic great white sharks migrate as far south as Florida and the Gulf in winter, searching for warmer waters and more food sources. OCEARCH has tagged more than 125 sharks, many of them along the Eastern Seaboard and Nova Scotia. You can follow their journeys on the OCEARCH shark tracker website or by downloading the OCEARCH Global Shark Tracker app. But OCEARCH is not the only tracking service available. Up north, there's the Sharktivity App, which was developed by the Atlantic White Shark Conservancy alongside the Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries, the New England Aquarium and the Cape Cod National Seashore. The app tracks sharks off the coasts of Massachusetts in order to provide real-time updates on the shark's locations. "Our goal is to raise awareness and help facilitate the peaceful coexistence between humans and white sharks," its website said. Popular destination tops shark attack charts Florida is one of the most popular spring break destinations in the U.S., with millions of people visiting it every year. Just as it is popular for spring breakers, it is also as popular for sharks. In 2024, the state topped the ranking for the number of unprovoked shark bites, even as the overall number of attacks declined in 2024. An annual report by the International Shark Attack File (ISAF) shows 47 confirmed unprovoked shark bites globally, significantly lower than the average of 64 annually over the previous five years. The U.S. had the most bites at 28 compared to 36 bites in 2023, for 60% of the world's cases. How many great white sharks are there? There's no absolute data on the global population of white sharks and estimates vary widely – from 3,000 to over 10,000. According to NOAA Fisheries: The stock status for white shark populations in U.S. waters is unknown and no stock assessments have been completed. No stock assessments are currently planned in the Atlantic. Research by NOAA Fisheries scientists indicates that abundance trends have been increasing in the northwest Atlantic since regulations protecting them were first implemented in the 1990s. According to a NOAA Fisheries status review and recent research, the northeastern Pacific white shark population appears to be increasing and is not at risk of becoming endangered in U.S. waters. Fernando Cervantes Jr. is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach him at and follow him on X @fern_cerv_.
