CSIRO researchers use world-first genetic
analysis to estimate population, but believe numbers could be as high as 12,800
Australian Associated Press
Thu 8 Feb 2018 22.26 GMTLast modified
on Thu 8 Feb 2018 22.39 GMT
About 5,500 great white sharks are cruising
in the waters off Australia’s east coast, new research has revealed.
For the first time, the CSIRO has been able to put a number on the size of the white shark population using world-first genetic analysis.
It estimates there are about 750 adults living in waters east of Victoria’s southern coast, up to central Queensland and across to New Zealand.
Taking juvenile sharks into account, researchers believe the total east coast population sits at 5,460 – but could be as high as 12,800.
It’s estimated another 1,460 adult white
sharks live off Australia’s south-western coast, but a total calculation is yet
to be made.
Until now, it was difficult to gather information about adult white sharks because they are hard to sample.
Until now, it was difficult to gather information about adult white sharks because they are hard to sample.
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