Sharkish

A new study that examined tissue samples from 97 sharks collected in beach safety programs in Australia has identified two distinct populations of white shark at the east and west of Bass Strait, prompting researchers to suggest the huge fish may need regional conservation plans.

“The genetic makeup of white sharks west of Bass Strait was different from those on the eastern seaboard of Australia  despite the lack of any physical barrier between these regions,” said co-author Prof. John Pandolfi.  “This shows that while the sharks can roam around Australia and across ocean basins, they repeatedly return to their home region to breed.”