Latest news with #SharkResearchFoundation
Yahoo
20-04-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Scientists issue warning after observing alarming shift in great white sharks: 'We saw things happen that we'd never expect'
For years, South Africa's Seal Island was a bucket-list destination for marine wildlife lovers hoping to witness the breathtaking power of great white sharks leaping from the ocean in pursuit of seals. But in a troubling turn, the great whites have all but disappeared, as National Geographic detailed — and their absence is sending shockwaves through the entire marine ecosystem. A new study from the Shark Research Foundation, built on over 20 years of data and published in Frontiers in Marine Science, revealed just how much the ecosystem around South Africa's Seal Island has changed since great white sharks began to vanish. The decline started around 2010, but by 2018, the iconic predators had disappeared entirely from the region. "We saw things that we'd never expect," marine ecologist and executive director of the Shark Research Foundation Neil Hammerschlag, a coauthor of the study, said. What followed was a cascade of unexpected shifts, according to the researchers. Without great whites keeping them in check, broadnose sevengill sharks — typically hidden away in nearby kelp forests — surged into the area, sometimes appearing in groups as large as 15. Cape fur seals, once cautious and elusive, began to raft in bold, floating clusters and even chase after cage-diving bait. These changes marked more than just strange new behavior. They signaled a dramatic reshuffling of the food web — one that researchers never expected to witness firsthand. Great white sharks play a crucial role in maintaining ocean balance. As apex predators, they keep populations of other species in check — removing the sick and weak, thereby maintaining healthy food webs. When they disappear, ripple effects follow. With fewer sharks to keep them in check, seals and sevengills increased — but their own prey populations, including anchovies, Cape horse mackerel, and other smaller sharks, plummeted. This domino effect shows what scientists call a "trophic cascade" — when the loss of a top predator causes dramatic changes at every level of the food chain. And while the exact reason for the sharks' disappearance isn't crystal clear, the finger points toward both human and natural threats. Killer whales may be targeting them, but shark nets — which kill up to 30 great whites a year — likely contribute to the decline. Because these sharks reproduce slowly and mature late, even small losses can have major consequences. Experts like Hammerschlag say it's time to rethink how we protect both people and predators. One major change? Ending outdated netting programs and adopting non-lethal beach safety measures, such as shark spotters and electronic deterrents. Do you think America has a plastic waste problem? Definitely Only in some areas Not really I'm not sure Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. On the individual level, supporting shark conservation groups and marine policy reforms is one way to help. You can also check out organizations like the Shark Research Foundation and follow science-backed efforts to reduce harmful fishing practices. As Hammerschlag put it: "We can't stop the orcas. But we can stop the nets." And doing so might just help restore balance to a fragile underwater world. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Yahoo
11-02-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
‘It was very scary': Central Florida women survive a shark attack in the Bahamas
It was a nightmare at sea. 20-year-old Rileigh Decker, from Melbourne, was on vacation - singing and dancing on a boat in Bimini Bay, when she and her 24-year-old friend, Summer Laymann, decided to go for a swim. 'We were swimming to the ladder. And I kind of felt something nudge my leg. And I looked at her and I was like, what was that,' said Decker from her hospital bed. 'We kept swimming. And then I felt a tug on my leg. And I knew right then and there that I was a bit.' Read: Track along with K-9 Red as he locates an aggravated assault/battery suspect hiding in a tree Decker believes a bull shark bit her. The whole thing unfolded in a matter of seconds. While Summer tried to help her friend, she didn't realize she was also attacked! 'We both were panicking at that moment. I didn't realize that I got bit until they started screaming that my foot was like shredded,' said Laymann. The two had to be airlifted to hospitals right here in Central Florida and now have a long way to recover. 'All we can do now is just be grateful that we're still here because it could have ended very differently,' said Decker. The attack comes just weeks before spring break. Read: Google Maps relabels 'Gulf of Mexico' to 'Gulf of America' Although rare, shark encounters are still possible, especially as warmer waters push them closer to shore. 'Most sharks are cold-blooded. The warmer water often improves their metabolism and functioning,' said Dr. Neil Hammerschlag, Executive Director at Shark Research Foundation. 'So many of them will actually go to areas that are warm water, especially in cold times of the year.' Read: SEE: Epic Universe offers first look at menu items Rileigh's mother says the 20-year-old already had to go through two surgeries and is now getting ready for a third one at a hospital in Orlando. Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
