In recent years, the number of great white sharks on the east coast of the US has increased. While this is a success for species conservation, it also leads to unwanted shark-human encounters. Great white sharks have poor eyesight and sometimes mistake surfers or swimmers for their usual prey.
About five people worldwide die each year in shark attacks. 40 percent of these occur in the US state of Florida. The US East Coast, on the other hand, has seen only two deaths in the past two decades: in Cape Cod in 2018 and in the state of Maine in 2020. There may be more deaths in the future. “There are more great white sharks, so the chance of fatal bites will increase,” said Gavin Naylor, director of a shark research program at the University of Florida. Ten of the animals are currently around Cape Code beaches. About a hundred great white sharks pass through the waters around the popular Massachusetts peninsula every year.
related to global warming
According to experts, the increasing number of great white sharks has to do with global warming, conservation programs and the increasing number of seals. The latter are at the top of the shark menu. “As more sharks eat near shore and more people swim, the chances of unwanted encounters increase,” said Gregory Skomal, a Massachusetts fisheries scientist. Studies have shown that great white sharks have poor vision and sometimes mistake surfers and swimmers for their usual prey.
App to avoid encounters
One way to avoid such encounters is the Atlantic White Shark Conservancy Sharktivity app, which provides information about shark sightings. In New York state, Governor Kathy Hochul has announced additional surveillance patrols using drones and helicopters after unusual attacks by tiger and bull sharks off Long Island. However, sharks are not the bloodthirsty monsters as they are depicted in the movie “Jaws” for example. “With so many people in the water around the world, we would have tens of thousands of attacks every year if sharks preferred them as prey,” Skomal said.
Usually the shark season on the east coast of the US is from August to October. As the ocean temperature rises, this period can gradually extend.
Source: Krone
I’m Wayne Wickman, a professional journalist and author for Today Times Live. My specialty is covering global news and current events, offering readers a unique perspective on the world’s most pressing issues. I’m passionate about storytelling and helping people stay informed on the goings-on of our planet.
