Latest news with #WhiteSharks
7NEWS
14-05-2025
- Health
- 7NEWS
Death of sharks on Adelaide beaches remains a mystery as algae bloom plagues sea life
Researchers have been left scratching their heads at autopsy results from recent shark deaths on South Australian coastlines. Sharks that washed ashore in recent weeks have been taken by the Department of Primary Industry and Regions (PIRSA) officials to be examined and determine their cause of deaths. Autopsies have been done on both a great white shark that washed ashore on Henley Beach and another found at Port Willinga. But the research returned 'inconclusive' results. Since March, a toxic algae bloom has been appearing along South Australian coastlines and causing sealife to wash up on beaches. The micro-algae karenia mikimotoi is causing the seafoam along and murky water across South Australia's Fleurieu Peninsula. The foam — likened by some to the froth on a milkshake — and its effects were first noticed by surfers at Waitpinga, about 100km from Adelaide, on March 15. The EPA reported the algae has since been found on beaches from Cape Jervis to Encounter Bay. A spokesperson from PIRSA said research will continue into the loss of sea life. 'Researchers from the South Australian Research and Development Institute (SARDI), the research division of PIRSA, are continuing to investigate into the series of deaths of sharks around the South Australian coastline,' they told 7NEWS. 'A necropsy was performed on the White Shark retrieved from Henley Beach on 5 May 2025 but unfortunately, there were no conclusive histological findings to explain what caused its death. 'Extensive analysis and necropsies were also conducted on two White Sharks found by members of the public at Port Willunga and Port Moorowie last month, but unfortunately due to the age of the biological samples available a definitive cause of death was unable to be determined. 'The samples of all carcasses collected to date will be used for future scientific studies and help to improve our understanding of the White Shark population in South Australia.' Beachgoers and swimmers along the Southern Coast are being reminded to stay clear of water that may be discoloured or have the foam present. If any contact is made, people are advised to wash themselves in fresh water. Human exposure, including through breathing in algae particles, can cause respiratory and eye irritation or skin rashes in some people, while ingestion could cause stomach upsets or flu-like symptoms. PIRSA would also like to inform the public that sharks sighted more than 500 metres from shore and greater than three metres in length can also be reported via the 24-hour Fishwatch Hotline on 1800 065 522 or via the shark sighting report form. If a shark is spotted within 500 metres of shore or presents an immediate threat to humans, police should be contacted.
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
First white shark of season confirmed off New England after dead seal found on Massachusetts beach
BOSTON - Beachgoers, beware! The New England Aquarium in Boston said the first great white shark of the season was spotted lurking in the waters off Nantucket over the weekend. According to the aquarium, a witness noticed a pool of blood off Smith's Point in Madaket on the western end of the island on Sunday, May 11, and then saw a seal swimming toward the shore with a shark in pursuit. Groundbreaking Research Shows Great White Sharks May Change Color To Better Hunt Their Prey After examining photos of the seal, John Chisholm, an adjunct scientist in the aquarium's Anderson Cabot Center for Ocean Life, it was confirmed that the bite did indeed come from a white shark. "This is the time of year when we like to remind people to be 'shark smart' as white sharks return to the inshore waters of New England, where they'll hunt seals and other prey through the summer and into the fall," Chisholm said. So, what does it mean to be shark smart? Can Lights Help Prevent Shark Attacks? Chisholm said people heading to the beach need to be aware of sharks' presence in shallow water and avoid areas where seals are present or schools of fish are visible. It's also advised to stay close to shore, where emergency responders can get to you if you need help. Beachgoers can report shark sightings and can be alerted to shark activity with the Atlantic White Shark Conservancy's Sharktivity app. What Are The Most Dangerous Beaches In America? The New England Aquarium has a team of nine scientists in the Anderson Cabot Center for Ocean Life who study sharks, including porbeagle and nurse sharks, as well as thresher, blue, mako, sandbar, and sand tiger sharks. Officials said that, depending on the time of year, over 15 shark species reside in the waters off New article source: First white shark of season confirmed off New England after dead seal found on Massachusetts beach
7NEWS
22-04-2025
- 7NEWS
Three-metre shark sighted in the shallows of popular beach off the Fleurieu Peninsula
A shark has been spotted in the shallows of a stretch of beach between Carrickalinga and Normanville in the middle of the day as beach goers enjoy a lunchtime beach stroll. SharkAlert SA posted the sighting of the 'Mystery Brucey' suspecting this may be the same shark spotted at Maslin's and Aldinga in the previous week. In the video, Lexi Grabb, who handed the footage to SharkAlert SA, is walking along the beach recording the shark in waters so shallow, both its massive fin and tail can be seen poking out of the water. WATCH ABOVE: Mystery shark comes close to beaching itself near Normanville. The shark is estimated to be about 3m in length, with SharkAlert SA telling it's followers that it could be a 'pointer'. A white pointer is a great white shark, and can grow from 4m to almost 6m in length depending on sex, with the females often being larger. Great White's are locals in South Australian waters, and feast on the local fish such as Salmon. Juvenile White Sharks (less than 3 to 4 m) mostly feed on fish and squid. As they grow, their diet changes to include other sharks, rays, and marine mammals. White Sharks are protected at all times in all South Australian waters under Section 71 of the Fisheries Management Act 2007. A person must not take, harm, or harass a White Shark. Carrickalinga Beach draws in thousands of tourist each year, with many taking to social media to show off the rockpools along the pristine coastline. Beachgoers are reminded to be aware of their surroundings and to avoid swimming near food sources like large schools of fish. PIRSA would like to remind the public that using blood, bone, meat, offall, or animal skin (other than a fish, worm or insect) for berley is prohibited in SA waters and should be reported to the 24-hour Fishwatch hotline on 1800 065 522.
Yahoo
12-02-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Largest Great White Shark On Record Tagged In The Atlantic
A nonprofit research group OCEARCH tagged a massive shark, named "Contender", while swimming off Florida's East Coast near Brevard County. At 13 feet and 9 inches, weighing in at 1,653 pounds, the male shark is the largest ever recorded in the Atlantic. He was first tagged on January 17, 2025, and has since appeared, or "pinged", several times since then when his dorsal fin breaches long enough for satellites to record the location. He was first tagged 45 miles offshore of the Florida - Georgia coast and has since traveled some 292 miles. While he is the largest male in the Atlantic, he is much smaller than "Deep Blue" the female White Shark that swims in the Pacific with the special distinction of being the largest known White Shark in the world--measuring approximately 18 or 19 feet, see video below for reference. White Sharks migrate along the East Coast, heading south from New England (Cape Cod in Massachusetts being a favored area) when the water gets cold and food becomes more scarce, hence Contender pinging from locations offshore of Florida. Deep Blue, on the other hand, is believed to have migrated from the Pacific Coast of Mexico to Hawaii, where Ocean Ramsey was able to dive with an record the massive female shark estimated to be near 70 years old. During the warmer months, white sharks take advantage of the abundant seal populations and rich prey resources found in the NW Atlantic--near Cape Cod and Canada. As temperatures drop and food sources dwindle, the sharks are triggered by a combination of decreasing water temperatures and changes in daylight hours, signaling the time for their southward migration towards Florida and the Central Atlantic. Florida is no stranger to shark populations, New Smyrna Beach is even considered the "shark bite capital of the world", not exactly a welcoming name for surfers and beachgoers. While sharks are certainly terrifying, they are most often misunderstood as blood thirsty savages whereas, in most cases, they are simply curious creatures. To learn more about sharks please check out our shark safety guide compiled with the help of Madison Stewart, aka Shark Girl Madison, who is amazing resource for shark knowledge and activism.
