Will sharks invade our coasts with climate change?
Depending on the region and season, when water temperatures rise, certain species of sharks embark on long migrations to reproduce, feed, or give birth.
The impact of climate change on the seasonal cycles of sharks
The consequences of sudden or premature warming in the seasonal cycles of sharks can lead to changes in behavior and even push them to explore new habitats where sharks did not venture before. One scientifically proven observation is the exploration of new nursery areas by moving closer to the coasts. It is common each spring and early summer to observe blue sharks or shortfin mako sharks (both juveniles and adults) stranded or near the beaches of the French Mediterranean.
Habitat destruction and prey migration
The destruction of their habitats due to rising water temperatures can lead to the fleeing of their prey, or an abnormal displacement of these prey species, prompting sharks to also move in search of food or to find new living areas.
More frequent shark sightings near the Rhône River mouth, where they feed on their natural prey, tuna.
Physiological consequences of temperature variations
Temperature changes can affect sharks’ physiology, including their metabolism, reproduction cycles, and migration patterns. As water temperatures rise, these changes may impact their hunting efficiency, growth rates, and overall health. Sharks, like many marine species, rely on stable environmental conditions to thrive, and even slight variations in temperature can have significant effects on their survival and behavior.
Most sharks are cold-blooded fish. A significant increase or decrease in the temperature of their habitat can cause irreversible and deadly physiological disturbances. As a result, they tend to move to less hazardous environments, sometimes closer to the shores.
Is an inevitable coexistence between humans and sharks on the horizon?
There is no doubt that these climate disruptions will increasingly bring humans and sharks into contact. Will we succeed in coexisting with them,s
Source: Futura
