Great white sharks slowly making recovery in Canadian oceans: researcher
After decades of decline, the ocean's apex predator appears to be making a recovery.
Great white sharks were one of the first species listed as threatened in both Canadian and international waters.
In 2003, marine conservation biologist Boris Worm and his research partners published their watershed research paper on the collapse of sharks in northwest Atlantic – setting off alarm bells in the scientific community.
In the United States, 400 great whites were getting caught each year due to longline fishery alone.
"We're not even trying to kill them. But they are so good at finding prey that they find hooks and longlines before other species do."
According to Worm, the current population of white sharks in the Atlantic region is estimated to be about 2,000.
"This is a really slow growing species that matures typically older than humans, at 25 or 30 years of age," he said.
"It has few pups in its lifetime and is very slow to reproduce."
Now, it's illegal to land white sharks or trade their body parts. If caught on a longline, they must be released alive.
"And it's really brought the number of mortalities down and the numbers we see in the wild up," said Worm.
According to Worm, tagging and public awareness campaigns have also helped.
As an experienced diver, Worm swims with sharks around the planet, drawing him further into the world.
"White sharks are one of the most fascinating fish on the planet. It's the largest predatory fish we have," he said.
"They are so ancient and you feel that when you're in their presence. And they've been here for 400-million years, longer than dinosaurs have and they're still here."
Worm says it is still possible to escape our destructive tendencies.
"We can bring these species back within my lifetime and the next generation's lifetime. The ocean could be a lot more abundant than what we are used to," he said. "We've made a big dent in it. But it can recover and it does recover if we give it a chance."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'State or state-sponsored actor' believed to be behind B.C. government hacks
The head of British Columbia’s civil service has revealed that a “state or state-sponsored actor” is behind multiple cyber-security incidents against provincial government networks.
Here's how much more Canadian landlords are asking for now, according to a just-released report
A new report says the average asking rent for a home in Canada in April was up 9.3 per cent compared with a year ago, while a slight month-over-month increase was also recorded for the first time since January.
Rare severe solar storm Friday could bring spectacular aurora light show across Canada
A rare and severe solar storm is expected to bring spectacular displays of the northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, across much of Canada and parts of the United States on Friday night.
What is basic income, and how would it impact me?
Parliamentarians are considering a pair of bills aiming to lift people out of poverty through a basic income program, but some fear these types of systems could result in more taxes for Canadians who are already financially struggling.
Canada abstains from Palestinian UN membership vote but supports two-state solution
Canada was one of 25 countries that abstained from a United Nations vote on Palestinian membership that passed with overwhelming support on Friday.
'I may have some nightmares:' Man survives being bitten by 2 sharks in Bahamas
A man who was bitten by two sharks in the Bahamas said Thursday he's 'thankful that I'm here' while sharing his story of survival.
Out-of-control wildfire burning near Fort McMurray
As of 9 a.m. on Friday, the wildfire burning 28 kilometres southwest of the northeastern Alberta city was 25 hectares in size.
Mexico's president accuses press and volunteer searchers for missing people of 'necrophilia'
The administration of Mexico's president has accused the press and volunteer searchers who look for the bodies of missing people of 'necrophilia,' comments that drew criticism this week.
Magnitude 4.2 earthquake reported off Vancouver Island's west coast
A 4.2-magnitude earthquake was recorded west of Vancouver Island early Friday morning.