The Canadian government is moving forward with its strategy to recover the great white shark in Atlantic waters, as required by law.
great white shark (Carcharodon carcarias) It has been listed on the Threatened Species Register since 2011.
Federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFOHowever, he doesn't have a lot of data on the number of white sharks in Canadian waters.
Critical habitat for the great white shark (Atlantic population) cannot be determined at this time, based on currently available information on population distribution and habitat use.
We read in particular the proposal for a recovery strategy (A new window) Published by the Canadian government.
More and more great white sharks are being seen in Atlantic Canada and New England. In this photo, Michael Simard and Benny Antoglou point out an approaching shark on August 13, 2021 off the coast of Cape Cod, Massachusetts.
Photo: Associated Press/Charles Krupa
Despite this limited information, the government is legally obligated to develop a recovery plan under the Species at Risk Act.
It's a fundamental problem, according to the biologist Steve Crawfordfrom University Guelph.
We simply do not have enough information or knowledge about white sharks in the Northwest Atlantic
To correctly estimate their number, or even declare that they are at risk, he said in an interview this week.
In reality, Steve Crawford It is believed that the population of great white sharks In good shape
.
He even stated that by restricting himself to documented evaluations over time, this type is more healthy
since when.
A committee of scholars designated by abbreviation CoswickCanada's Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife has twice determined that white sharks are endangered.
Seal colony on Cape Cod, August 17, 2021. Warmer waters and an increase in the seal population would explain the increase in the number of white sharks off the offshore provinces.
Photo: Associated Press/Charles Krupa
In its most recent assessment, conducted in 2021, the commission estimated that the population had declined by 70% since the 1960s, mainly due to fishing activities. the Coswick I didn't want to do an interview this week about the current situation.
Ottawa accepted the conclusions Coswick In 2021, work began on a recovery plan for this species.
biology Steve Crawford Questions the legitimacy of conclusions Coswick.
My professional opinion is that their information was insufficient – and still is insufficient – to measure the condition of the population [de requins blancs].
In its proposed white shark recovery plan, the Department of Fisheries and Oceans stated that the species is recovering in the area Cape Codin Massachusetts.
Christine Lyonsspokesman DFOwarns in an email that the department cannot calculate the number of sharks in the Northwest Atlantic from estimates made in New England.
Percentage of animals tagged with Cape Cod They move into Canadian waters on a seasonal basis”, text”: “Monitoring in Canada indicates that approximately 20% of animals tagged on Cape Cod move into Canadian waters on a seasonal basis”}}”>Surveillance in Canada indicates that approximately 20% of animals tagged with Cape Cod Move to Canadian waters on a seasonal basis
But she confirms.
The ministry declined an interview request to discuss the recovery plan.
Fishermen are seeing more sharks
There is anecdotal evidence that great white shark populations are increasing in the east of the country.
Bluefin tuna fishermen often report their presence while feeding on the fish they are trying to catch.
Bluefin tuna fishermen in Nova Scotia say sharks sometimes eat their catch. (archive photo)
Photo: Radio-Canada
according to Billy Bond And Ken SnowTwo fishermen from the area Canso In Nova Scotia, this type of situation has never happened before.
Every year it gets worse
Confirms Billy Bond. His colleague says he sees seals with wounds that appear to be inflicted by sharks.
Scientists believe that warmer waters and an increase in the number of seals that sharks feed on explain their increasing presence in Atlantic Canada.
According to a report Paul Withers, CBC
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