Great Whites: Our Necessary Neighbor

Thanks to OCEARCH, a nonprofit organization that shares real-time shark migratory patterns around the world, a great white shark named Sable was found swimming off the coast of Marco Island twice last month! 

This is not the first occurrence of the apex predator finding an attraction to the warmer Florida weather, and it won’t be the last. “We don't think that white sharks coming to the Gulf coastal waters is anything new - they've likely been doing this for eons,” saysJohn Tyminski, senior data scientist from OCEARCH. What is new is the use of trackers and cell phones to definitively capture where the sharks migrate, but they have been making the trek for a very long time now. In fact, the earliest documentation of a great white shark appeared in the winter of 1937 to 1938 in Sarasota, according to a research paper by Adams et al. However, their patterns can often be erratic and much of their lives remain mysterious even while being tracked. For instance, Lydia, a great white tracked by OCEARCH, hasn’t returned to Florida for the summer but has instead traveled thousands of miles up and down the coast of Newfoundland in just a few months. Tyminski believes this may be because Lydia, an adult female white shark, doesn’t always abide by the same migratory patterns that other great whites do. While most of the great whites travel from the North to the South along the continental shelf, mature females travel in a more unpredictable pattern. Tyminski says their team has a couple of working hypotheses for this strange occurrence among adult females. It may be because the pregnant females are trying to get away from the males during gestation, they’re trying to find a different food source, or it may have to do with the water temperature.  

Tyminski also reiterates that the great white’s appearance in our coastal waters is nothing to be afraid of. “Humans typically view sharks as fearsome monsters, but sharks have so much more to be afraid of: pollution, long lines, shark finning, overfishing, and more.” Researchers estimate that around 100 to 250 million sharks are killed by overexploitation annually. The large number of great whites being pinged in the Gulf of Mexico isn’t due to a change in their migration, but rather the amount of technology available to track them has changed. Since the great whites are swimming along the continental shelf, located a substantial distance away from the shores, they are not a danger to humans. “The presence of white sharks is something that should be celebrated – it means we have a balanced and healthy ocean ecosystem.” Paige Finney, communication specialist of OCEARCH says, “[The appearance of white sharks is] something that should be celebrated if sharks are coming to our region, it means the ocean is healthy.” Great white sharks and other apex predators are the “balance keepers” of the ocean.  

In their science lesson plan on biodiversity, OCEARCH relates the importance of the shark population on the health of our oceans. With decreased shark populations, other larger predators that sharks primarily consume can become overpopulated, outhunting the smaller fish communities and ultimately disrupting the entire food web. Biodiversity is important not only for marine life and the life of the planet, but for human wellbeing too. Finneyexplains the health of our oceans affects all of us on a daily basis, whether you live on the coast or not. Much of our medicine, economy, and food is reliant on the rich biodiversity of the seas.  

So, what causes these powerful creatures to migrate all the way to Marco Island from the Atlantic, Canada, and Cape Cod?According to OCEARCH, around 50 percent of the great whites they’ve tracked have traveled to the Gulf. Tyminski says, “We’re still trying to figure out precisely what is motivating theirlong journey to the Gulf during winter.” Since OCEARCH has seen all ages of great whites make the trip, it’s not likely that mating or birthing is the driving force. Tyminiki believes that the abundance of food may bring them here considering they spend much of their time in areas where larger fish are likely to be, but it is only a postulation at this point. “We'd love to conduct a Gulf expedition and collect some White Shark muscle and/or faecal samples which would shed some light on their diet,” says Tyminski.  

OCEARCH may find some more answers soon. Tyminski says OCEARCH is planning an exhibition trip on April 1st. They’re leaving from Jacksonville, Florida, and following the white shark’s migratory pattern back up to Carolinas, ending in Charleston on April 21st. Tyminski hopesthat the team can tag a pregnant white shark or findbite marks indicative of breeding to help them uncover more about the great white’s mating patterns. Mating is speculated to take place near the Carolinas as of now.Knowing where the shark’s mate and give birth can give us more insight into making informed decisions about the animals and help indicate which areas of the ocean should be better protected.  

OCEARCH’s mission is all about conservation and education. As well as tagging the sharks to study their migratory patterns, OCEARCH collects data on their reproduction, genetics, parasites, blood, and diet. They have partnered with Jacksonville University to create interactive lesson plans for students as they embark on their scientific explorations.“The OCEARCH STEM curriculum, created in partnership with Landry’s, enables students to learn STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) skills while following the real-time movements of their favorite sharks on the OCEARCH Tracker, for free,” states their website.Finney says it’s paramount to teach the future generations about the importance of our oceans. Through camps, virtual, and in-person presentations with crew members the students become excited to learn about sharks, the oceans, and STEM skills. OCEARCH often gears their educational programs towards the needs in different locations expanding their outreach on specific topics. Finney explains, “The more you educate someone about a topic the less scary it becomes,” perfectly encompassing OCEARCH’s motto: “Facts Over Fear.”  

OCEARCH also offers ways for students to help conserve and maintain the bountiful biodiversity Florida is so well known for. Protecting certain areas where humans cannot interfere with the environment, restoration projects, conserving natural resources, knowledge, and education are a few of the ways humans can make a positive impact on the environment. Many people are unaware of the harm they cause the environment, and that’s why OCEARCH is so passionate about spreading the word on environmentalism and conservation. Finney says the message OCEARCH is trying to send to students is to return our world’s oceans to balance and abundance through the importance of sharks. That’s why OCEARCH names the sharks, to humanize them and spread facts over fear. When asked what we could do as Florida residents to help the great white population and better protect our oceans, Finney said education is the answer and is something that everyone can do from their own homes.