Marine scientists from South Africa’s Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism (DEAT) were part of a group of international scientists studying a female great white shark, which crossed the Indian Ocean from South Africa to Australia and back within a record-breaking 99 days, DEAT reported on Thursday.
The research was possible due to a satellite tracking device that was temporarily attached to the shark.
DEAT said the research highlighted the link between two of the world’s most important and widely separated populations of great white sharks.
During the trip from South Africa to Australia the great white shark swam approximately 11 100km, of which she spent significant amounts of time deep in the ocean. This suggested that great white sharks are more vulnerable to commercial fishing operations in the open ocean than previously thought.
The study also described the behaviour and migration patterns of a variety of other great white sharks, including long-distance return trips along the south eastern South African coast, smaller-scale patrolling behaviour and a tendency to return to home waters. ‒ I-Net Bridge