January 1, Great Whites Flock South As Winter Nears

Wyatt’s Take

• Sharks are heading toward the Carolinas for warmer water as winter approaches.
• Tracking shows at least four big great whites moving south right now.
• Experts say more predators could be nearby as the migration season kicks off.

The great white shark migration is underway as cold weather sets in, with tracking tags showing more sharks near the Carolinas. Scientists say at least two massive great whites, each about 12 feet long, are currently making the journey between North Carolina and South Carolina.

OCEARCH, a shark research group, says these sharks are leaving cooler waters in Canada and New England, heading south to follow food and warmth.

“As autumn sets in, white sharks of the western North Atlantic population are beginning their incredible southward migration,” reported OCEARCH in a social media post Oct. 21.

Experts note these migrations happen every year, with sharks moving as the ocean cools and daylight fades. Some tagged sharks were seen off Nova Scotia earlier in October before swimming south.

OCEARCH has tagged over 70 great whites in this part of the Atlantic to learn about their habits and where they travel.

While most sharks go south, a handful venture toward Mexico’s coast, and researchers are still trying to figure out why they take a different route.

Want to track the sharks? You can watch their movements online or by using the OCEARCH app.

Read more here

Wyatt Matters

Shark migrations remind us that seasons affect all creatures, big and small. Folks in the heartland care about family safety and the world around them, keeping an eye on nature’s rhythms just like we watch the weather or crops.