Researchers at the University of South Alabama have spotted a female great white shark, named Miss Pawla, off the coast of Alabama on two separate occasions. The shark is approximately eight feet long and 15 years old, with researchers estimating that she won’t reach maturity until she is at least 30 years old. This rare sighting of a great white shark off the Alabama coast has sparked interest among scientists, as the species is typically found in the cooler waters off New England and California. The reef where Miss Pawla was spotted is only 150 feet deep, marking the first documented sighting of a white shark in that area.
Great white sharks have been recently reported in coastal Alabama, with one being caught by fishermen and another washing up dead on a Florida Panhandle beach. This has led researchers to believe that the species may be more common in the northern Gulf of Mexico than previously thought. White sharks have unique scarring patterns on their heads and fins, making them easily identifiable by scientists. Miss Pawla, who has never been recorded before, was named by researchers so they can track her movements. The University of South Alabama is already tracking a 12-foot tiger shark named SouthJaw, also after a university mascot.
The sightings of great white sharks off the Alabama coast have provided valuable scientific data for researchers monitoring fish movement in the area. Dr. Sean Powers, Director of USA’s Stokes School of Marine and Environmental Sciences, stated that the university has surveyed over 1,000 artificial and natural reef areas in the past 10 years, providing important data to assist the State of Alabama in managing its offshore fisheries. This first documented sighting of a white shark in the area will help researchers better understand the behavior and habitat of these elusive predators.
The rich marine ecosystem of Alabama plays host to a variety of shark species, with white sharks playing an important role in the ecosystem. These apex predators are federally protected and must be released alive if caught. Naming individual sharks, like Miss Pawla and SouthJaw, allows researchers to track their movements and better understand their behaviors. The University of South Alabama is actively involved in studying and monitoring various species of sharks in the region, providing valuable insights into the marine life of the Gulf of Mexico.
The spotting of a great white shark off the Alabama coast is a rare occurrence, as these sharks typically prefer the cooler waters of New England and California. However, researchers believe that these predators may be more common in the northern Gulf of Mexico than previously thought, based on recent sightings in the area. White sharks have unique markings that make them easily identifiable to researchers, who name them in order to track their movements and behaviors. The discovery of Miss Pawla in Alabama’s artificial reef zone marks the first recorded sighting of a white shark in that area, providing valuable information for scientists studying the region’s marine life.
Overall, the sightings of great white sharks off the Alabama coast have added to the scientific understanding of these predators and their presence in the Gulf of Mexico. Researchers at the University of South Alabama continue to monitor and track various shark species in the region, providing important data to assist in the management of offshore fisheries. The rich marine ecosystem of Alabama is home to a wide variety of shark species, with white sharks playing a crucial role as apex predators. The federal protection of these sharks highlights the importance of conservation efforts to ensure the health and balance of marine ecosystems in the Gulf of Mexico.
