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Scientists Find Great White Sharks Pushing Further North More Than Ever
Researchers said 2 sharks moved farther north than ever, while OCEARCH estimated about 2,000 great whites use Atlantic Canadian waters each summer.
OCEARCH researchers tracked great white sharks Quint and Cross reaching the northern tip of Newfoundland, with sub-adult male Quint moving north through the Strait of Belle Isle since July 26.
Roughly 2,000 great white sharks from the Western North Atlantic population migrate to Atlantic Canadian waters each summer, driven by abundant seals and schooling fish, according to OCEARCH data scientist John Tyminki.
Increased sightings include 10 ft shark Bella documented on June 29, while sub-adult male Quint, weighing 587 lbs, was the 100th shark OCEARCH tagged, monitored via dorsal-fin 'pings.'
Scientific debate persists over whether these sightings indicate genuine range expansion. "Is this a range expansion or is this normal?" John Tyminki asked regarding the northern movement.
Long-Term tracking near the Great Northern Peninsula, about 18 miles from shore, continues as OCEARCH collects data to distinguish temporary foraging from permanent distribution shifts in northern habitats.