Shark incidents in California 1950-2021; frequency and trends

Article Multidisciplinary Sciences

North Pacific warming shifts the juvenile range of a marine apex predator

Kisei R. Tanaka et al.

Summary: During the 2014-2016 North Pacific marine heatwave, unprecedented sightings of juvenile white sharks emerged in central California, contradicting their established life history and potentially creating conflicts with commercial fisheries, protected species conservation, and public safety. Research found a significant increase in white shark numbers in Monterey Bay, predominantly comprised of juveniles, and observed a dramatic shift in the cold limit of their range during the heatwave period.

SCIENTIFIC REPORTS (2021)

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Article Biodiversity Conservation

Estimates of regional annual abundance and population growth rates of white sharks off central California

Paul E. Kanive et al.

Summary: This study used empirical data to estimate the population trend of white sharks in central California, finding potential increases in reproductive-aged white sharks, which may be attributed to regional density fluctuations, protection efforts, and an increase in pinniped abundance.

BIOLOGICAL CONSERVATION (2021)

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Article Environmental Sciences

Shark Side of the Moon: Are Shark Attacks Related to Lunar Phase?

Lindsay A. French et al.

Summary: This study utilized nearly 50 years of global shark attack data to investigate the relationship between shark attacks and moon phase. The findings showed that shark attacks were more likely to occur when lunar illumination was >50%, and less likely when lunar illumination was <50%.

FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE (2021)

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Article Environmental Sciences

Interannual Nearshore Habitat Use of Young of the Year White Sharks Off Southern California

James M. Anderson et al.

Summary: The study reveals the spatially and temporally dynamic primary nursery habitat centers for juvenile white sharks in Southern California, where they form loose aggregations at hotspot locations and exhibit higher residency and temporal fidelity.

FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE (2021)

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Article Environmental Sciences

Non-random Co-occurrence of Juvenile White Sharks (Carcharodon carcharias) at Seasonal Aggregation Sites in Southern California

James M. Anderson et al.

Summary: Many species form periodic aggregations not driven by social attraction; juvenile white sharks may form distinct communities in early ontogeny; social network analysis of tagged juvenile white sharks suggests non-resource driven co-occurrence and community structure during early life stages.

FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE (2021)

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Article Multidisciplinary Sciences

A shark's eye view: testing the 'mistaken identity theory' behind shark bites on humans

Laura A. Ryan et al.

Summary: The study compares video footage of seals, humans swimming, and humans paddling surfboards from the perspective of a white shark, finding that there are no clear visual distinctions between these objects. This supports the mistaken identity theory behind some shark bites on humans.

JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY INTERFACE (2021)

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Article Marine & Freshwater Biology