Newborn great white shark photographed for the first time

These photos could help improve the protection of the vulnerable species.

Open in full screen mode

The baby great white shark observed by American biologists.

Agence France-Presse

A newborn great white shark has been photographed for the first time, say biologists whose observations are the subject of an article published in the journal Environmental Biology of Fishes (New window) (in English).

Young white sharks have been seen in the wild before, but this is potentially the first time that images have emerged of an individual born only a few hours ago, according to experts.

No one had ever been able to locate their place of birth or see a living newborn, emphasizes photographer Carlos Gauna, who captured this moment. It's the holy grail of shark research.

With doctoral student from the University of California at Riverside Phillip Sternes, Carlos Gauna observed a pregnant female in early July 2023 near the Californian coast, near the city of Santa Barbara.

The female appeared to dive deep before a small shark emerged to the surface shortly after, looking directly into a camera lens boarded a drone.

LoadingOttawa announces $40 million in additional aid to Gaza

Ottawa announces additional $40 million in aid to Gaza

ELSEWHERE ON NEWS: Ottawa announces additional $40 million in aid to Gaza

Experts questioned a thin white layer that surrounded the small shark, which x27;gets rid of it by swimming. They made two hypotheses: it could be milk secreted in utero by the mother to nourish it or a skin disease.

Open in full screen mode

The white shark shed an outer white layer.

In any case, the researchers must now confirm that they have identified a birthplace, hoping to thus encourage the protection of this species classified as vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. nature (IUCN).

Sharks are in fact often collateral victims of fishing or culling campaigns to protect beaches, while attacks on humans are rare.

Open in full screen mode

This photo, taken off the coast of Liverpool, Nova Scotia, in 2020 , is one of the first underwater photos of an adult great white shark taken by a diver in Canadian waters.

By knowing exactly where they go to give birth, we can protect these areas from the negative effects of the presence of humans: activities fishing, destruction of habitats, noise linked to maritime traffic…, told AFP Heike Zidowitz, a manager of the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) in Germany, who did not participate in the study.