 merrie says: It had long been assumed shark species at the top of the ocean food chain that roam the high seas looking for food and mates did so almost randomly. But using satellite tagging, acoustic monitoring of shark "hot spots" and genetic samples, a research team led by Professor Barbara Block of Stanford University found to their surprise that the eastern Pacific's great whites are real homebodies. Over an eight year period, nearly 100 sharks were electronically tagged, and even more had tissue samples taken by scientists working from a ship. Sticking to a schedule They found that the sharks consistently migrate along the same paths and stick to a schedule. Between August and December, the great whites, which can grow up to six metres and weigh three tonnes, stalk waters off the coast of central and northern California, feasting on seals and sea lions. Their preferred hunting grounds in this area are known as the "red triangle", notes the study. Starting in January, they head for Hawaii some 4000 kilometres to the west, where they are found in large numbers between April and July. But some, especially males, loiter at a halfway point known as the “White Shark Cafe”, with females coming and going for what scientists presume is a bit of shark intimacy. The new findings will help conservation efforts, the study concludes: “The population’s fidelity to predictable locations offer clear population assessment, monitoring and management options.” Under threat A third of the world’s open water sharks, including the great white and hammerhead, face extinction, according to the largest ever shark survey completed earlier this year by the I... "Great whites hunt like serial killers" - And people go down and get very close to these sharks for a good photograph. It just takes one little chomp and you're a goner.  |
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