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By RACHEL BOWMAN FOR DAILYMAIL.COM Published: 18:13 BST, 28 April 2025 | Updated: 18:13 BST, 28 April 2025
Scientists have discovered there are major ‘ecological consequences’ when great white sharks disappear from an ecosystem, according to a new study.Cape Cod became a shark hotspot in the last 15 years due to warming waters and a rise in the seal population, with peak activity hitting around August and early Fall.As the ritzy Massachusetts enclave prepares for the summer season, a new study is warning a decrease in great white sharks could indicate dire consequences for the ecosystem.The study published in March provides evidence of cascading ecosystem effects following the loss of white sharks from False Bay, South Africa.Researchers found that with fewer great whites in the waters, both seals and a different shark species took over and led to a decline of their prey – smaller fish – shifting the ecological balance, the study found.’There are a lot of lessons to learn here, and there are definitely implications for areas like Cape Cod,’ Neil Hammerschlag, the executive director of the Shark Research Foundation, told the Boston Herald. ‘There was a cascade of ecosystem consequences. It was a completely different ecosystem, and you would have never known it had been home to great white sharks.’ A larger seal population brings concern about the availability of those smaller fish for fisherman, according to MassLive. Scientists have discovered there are major ‘ecological consequences’ when great white sharks (pictured) disappear from an ecosystem Cape Cod (pictured) has become a great white hotspot in recent years, but experts warn if there is a decrease in sharks the seal population will take over and impact fishingThe researcher explained that great white sharks help keep the balance of seals and small fish.’A lot of people are concerned about seals overpopulating places and eating fish,’ Hammerschalg said.’We see here the major changes when white sharks vanish, with seals increasing in numbers and changing their behavior.’Sharks help keep it all in balance. Some people look at great whites and see them as a danger, but in fact they’re the guardians. They keep it all in check.’ During the 2024 season, researchers spotted 76 individual white sharks, including 22 never-before-identified ones, off Cape Cod’s Shores, according to the Atlantic White Shark Conservancy (AWSC).The season kicked off last May when New England Aquarium shark biologist John Chisholm spotted the first white shark of the year off Monomoy, reported the Cape Cod Times.In August, a curious great white shark came close to a research diver off the coast of Massachusetts while feeding on a whale carcass.A team of divers for the AWSC were viewing white sharked feed off the coast of Scituate – between Boston and Cap Cod – when one shark came along to say hello a few weeks ago, a video posted to X shows. In October, a massive and bloodied great white shark washed up dead (pictured) on a Cape Cod beachThe shark approached one of the divers and came so close to the cameras that viewers could see its lunch hanging from its mouth.The shark then gently circled around a bit, allowing the divers to view the ‘unique markings along its face.’In October, a massive and bloodied great white shark washed up dead on a Cape Cod beach.The enormous 12-foot, 1,240-pound shark was found along the shore of Nauset Beach in Eastham.Its cause of death was ‘not clearly evident’ upon officials discovery and remains under investigation. South AfricaMassachusetts
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Why disappearance of Cape Cod’s iconic great white sharks is BAD news for some
