Greg Skomal (one of the founding members of the Conservancy) confirmed that very little is known of specific white shark hunting strategies in this region. Though it is acknowledged that juveniles feed on fish (particularly menhaden, hake, and bluefish) and adults primarily target pinnipeds (seals and sea lions) for their high fat content, Dr. Data collection on white sharks for the northeastern United States only began in 2009 with a tagging program run from Cape Cod, by the Atlantic White Shark Conservancy. Juveniles, particularly those born within the year, are most abundant in the region surrounding the New York Bight, the indentation extending from Cape May Inlet to Montauk Point on the eastern tip of Long Island.ĭespite the size and environmental significance of white sharks, very little is known of their behavioral patterns. The wide continental shelf along the coast is similar to environments commonly associated with white shark nurseries in fact, a 2014 study ( Curtis et al.) supports this theory. White sharks can tolerate colder water than many shark species (due to their ability to partially control their own body temperature), but seem to show a preference for a temperature range between 14° and 23° C (57.2° to 73.4° F). While bull and tiger sharks seem to prefer the warmer sub-tropical waters along the southeastern seaboard, the white shark (commonly known as the Great White) is a frequent and common resident along the Jersey Shore, especially from mid-summer through early autumn. They are large, inquisitive, and capable of inhabiting a wide range of environments, including the waters along New Jersey. Three of these, known collectively as the "Big Three," are responsible for the vast majority of attacks: the white shark ( Carcharodon carcharias), the tiger shark ( Galeocerdo cuvier), and the bull shark ( Carcharhinus leucas).Īll of the Big Three are apex predators (at the top of the food chain not preyed upon by any other animal) and have evolved over hundreds of millions of years. Of these, around fifteen have fatal attacks attributed to them: less than 4% of all known shark species. With over 400 species of shark officially recognized, the International Shark Attack File - a compilation of thousands of reported incidents ranging as far back as the 1500s - lists approximately 40 species implicated in unprovoked attacks on humans. In fact, in 2014 there were no fatal attacks in the United States, and only six fatal unprovoked attacks worldwide (the average annual number for the past decade). While it is important to remember that we share the ocean with the marine species that call it home, it is also important to be aware of how unlikely a shark attack is. A series of shark attacks in North Carolina led to a media frenzy and ignited concerns for vacationers, including here in New Jersey. White Sharks: New Jersey's Misunderstood Seasonal Visitorsīy Maggie Sager, Hourly Fisheries TechnicianĪt the start of summer 2015, beach goers along the East Coast were once again reminded of the untamed nature of the ocean.
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