As a longtime ocean enthusiast and scuba diver, I find tales of marine mysteries captivating. The recent discovery that an 8-foot adult shark was devoured by a bigger predator beneath the ocean’s depths is one such intriguing story. It’s like diving into the unknown, where even the top hunters are not immune to being hunted themselves!
Larger sharks, including medium to big ones, are usually seen as the top predators within their ecosystems. However, it has been said that there’s always a bigger creature around. Recently, scientists found proof of an 8-foot adult shark being consumed by some unknown predator deep in the ocean, thousands of feet below the surface. This chilling tale was shared in the journal Frontiers in Marine Science.
Scientists were monitoring pregnant porbeagle sharks when one tagged shark began transmitting unusual data, which they later realized indicated that it had been consumed. This is the first known instance of predation on porbeagle sharks and provides valuable insights into the pressures facing this species. The data from sensors attached to the shark suggests that it was likely devoured by a larger shark, possibly a mako or even a great white shark, colloquially known as “Jaws”.
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Sensor data reveals 8-foot adult shark being eaten by an unseen predator
As a devoted admirer of these magnificent creatures, I’d like to share some fascinating facts about Porbeagle sharks. These sharks prefer cooler waters and can be found in two primary regions: the Northwest Atlantic and the Southern Hemisphere. Unfortunately, they are classified as endangered in certain northern territories, primarily due to overfishing.
Some populations have dropped by as much as 90% from their original numbers. It may take several decades for these populations to fully recover. The positive aspect is that the National Marine Fisheries Service considers the likelihood of their extinction to be minimal and their long-term outlook to be promising, given the current conservation efforts and rates of recovery. In the interim, scientists are tracking the species to assess its progress.
Back in October 2020 and again in 2022, I had the chance to be part of something extraordinary off Cape Cod’s shore. As a game, let’s call it “Shark Research,” I hopped aboard a research vessel for a 15-minute ride with some fascinating creatures – sharks!
The sharks were fitted with two distinct tracking devices: a fin-mounted tag that offers geographical data whenever the dorsal fin breaks the water surface, and a pop-off satellite archival tag (PSAT) which monitors temperature and depth. Since the PSAT is positioned externally, it records the surrounding water’s temperature and pressure, enabling scientists to determine a shark’s three-dimensional location more accurately.
Initially, after being caught, tagged, and released, the shark predominantly swam in waters ranging from the surface to around 100 meters deep for a few months. During winter, from December to March, it would dive as deep as 600-800 meters at night and spend its days even deeper. This change indicated that it had ventured off the continental shelf into much deeper waters. In the time leading up to its apparent demise, temperatures averaged between 16-19 degrees Celsius (61-66 degrees Fahrenheit), but then unexpectedly rose to an average of 22 degrees Celsius (72 degrees Fahrenheit).
Sharks resembling lamnids, which encompass species like the porbeagle, mako, and the notorious great white, exhibit moderate heat-producing abilities (warm-blooded), enabling them to function more efficiently in chilly aquatic environments. An abrupt spike in temperature detected by the PSAT sensor implies that it has been ingested and is now inside a predator’s body. The temperature is too cold for the interior of a whale or other warm-blooded marine creatures, but it matches the internal temperature of a great white shark quite well.
We can pass laws to regulate fishing, adopt sustainable practices, and ensure human activities don’t harm porbeagles, but we can’t prevent it from being hunted by its natural predators. Even the largest shark needs to feed.
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2024-09-10 20:46