Great white sharks on northern beaches? If the hypothesis seems absurd, it could become a reality in the relatively near future, according to the scientists. According to a study carried out by the organization Ocearch, which collects data on the ocean, the animal featured in the movie “Jaws” could migrate from the Mediterranean coast to La Manche, due to global warming.
Microchips placed in sharks
The institute’s researchers have equipped the sharks with GPS chips, the path of which is visible in real time on their site. Data collected has established that great white sharks, which are 4.6m long on average, are now visiting the northern seas with increasing frequency.
In recent years, sharks have become familiar to the shores of New England, in the northeastern United States. However, prior to the 1970s, almost no sharks frequented the waters north of Boston, Massachusetts. And the phenomenon must spread.
“We believe that (the sharks) should go beyond Brest (Finistère) and pass (from the county) of Cornwall (in Great Britain),” says the Times Chris Fischer, scientist and founder of the organization.
Seals further north
The cause is global warming, which is pushing seals to migrate further and further north, according to scientists. In search of food, great white sharks also follow the path, with seals being one of their favorite foods. Especially since the latter are now protected by federal laws.
According to Chris Fischer, his research organization has already observed other types of large shark species in increasingly northern waters.
Scientists from the Ocearch organization plan to travel to Britain next summer to perhaps formally view the presence of great white sharks in the English Channel.
Experts are expected on site next summer
Another expert, marine biologist Gregory Skomal, is cautious about the presence of great white sharks off Britain.
“Great white sharks have not been documented beyond Cornwall,” he says, adding that “they should be there, but they aren’t, and they (researchers) don’t know why.”
Great white sharks are often seen in South Africa, California, or New Zealand. They have been known to travel significant distances to obtain food.
Source: BFM TV
