By Courtney Cooper
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Understanding Shark Migration Patterns
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For a considerable duration, great white sharks were believed to inhabit limited regions, indulging in seals and other prey. However, recent research has unveiled the astonishing journeys undertaken by these magnificent creatures, as they navigate vast distances and plunge to extraordinary depths. In this article, we look at the migration patterns of sharks. We also discuss further shark facts that you might be interested in! Apex Predators provides the best great white shark cage diving in Cape Town.
It’s truly remarkable how great white sharks can migrate such vast distances, spanning over 10,500 kilometres between the coastlines of Australia and South Africa. A remarkable shark named “Nicole” made an incredible journey from Gansbaai to the West coast of Australia in just three months, before eventually returning to the East coast of South Africa nine months later. It appears that great whites exhibit consistent migration patterns, possibly driven by their search for food.
It is well-known that great white sharks migrate along the South African coast, spending varying lengths of time at specific “aggregation points” where populations of these sharks can be found. Many of these “aggregation points” share a common feature – an island inhabited by seals. There are several key locations along the coast of South Africa where great white sharks tend to gather and migrate. These include False Bay (seal island), Gansbaai (Dyer island), Mossel Bay (seal island), and Algoabay (bird island).
Studies on DNA have shown that male sharks tend to explore the vast oceans, while their female counterparts prefer to stay closer to their homes. It appears that great whites tend to follow a seasonal migration pattern, in search of the temperature range they prefer, which is between 10 and 27°C (50 and 80°F). Through satellite tracking, it has been observed that certain sharks are capable of covering vast distances, like Nicole journeying an astonishing 12,420 miles within a span of nine months.
Historically when the hunting season at Seal Island wound down in September, the majority of great white sharks left the area, only to make their way back in May. The remaining sharks in False Bay adjusted their feeding strategies, transitioning from seals to fish and smaller sharks.
Sharks migrate for several reasons, such as seeking out food sources, reproducing, regulating their body temperature, evading predators, and going with the flow of ocean currents. They closely track the movements of prey species to ensure a consistent food supply, journey to specific breeding grounds for reproduction, and adjust their location to stay within their preferred temperature ranges.
Sharks can also migrate to avoid predators or unfavourable conditions and use ocean currents to conserve energy during their journeys.
Having a deep understanding of the migration patterns of great white sharks is absolutely essential for their long-term survival. As one navigates through the vast expanse of international waters, the task of preserving and protecting the delicate ecosystem becomes more and more daunting. Through understanding their habitat needs, movement patterns, and social lives, we can make strides in safeguarding these remarkable creatures and the ecosystems they call home.
We also share insight into understanding shark behaviour.
