The fact that humankind has long regarded shark activity, such as migration, as a mystery adds to the appeal of studying it.
Every new source of knowledge discovered as researchers attempt to track and examine them adds to the complicated picture.
In this post, we’ll examine the patterns and migration routes that sharks use.
So, let’s get started.
The Migration Habits Of Sharks
Before the monitoring of these creatures started, very little was known about whether sharks travelled and, if so, why.
Professionals in this field have been able to chronicle the migration of several species of sharks, even though far more data is still needed to fully comprehend their activities and motives.
Sharks can be categorized into three groups based on their migratory patterns:
- Local sharks
- Coastal pelagic sharks
- Highly pelagic sharks
Below, we will discuss the habits of these types of sharks in greater detail.
Local Shark Migration Routes
The Nurse Shark and the Bonnethead are two examples of local sharks.
Local sharks actually do not migrate. They tend to keep within around 100 miles (or 160 kilometers) of the geographic center.
Coastal Pelagic Shark Migration Routes
Sharks like the Oceanic Blacktip, Tiger, and Sandbar are examples of coastal pelagic sharks.
Coastal pelagic sharks will travel more than 1600 kilometers, or 1000 miles, along the shallower waters. This might be done to find food or to pursue particular currents.
Highly Pelagic Shark Migration Routes
The Blue Shark and the Mako Shark are two examples of very pelagic sharks.
Highly pelagic sharks will migrate over great distances by following currents that cross oceanic boundaries.
The Migration Patterns Of Sharks
Determined by satellite tracking and marking, the movements of oceanic wild sharks are largely known.
Scientists have been able to trace a shark from South Africa to the waters off Australia thanks to such tracking.
An huge degree of flexibility is needed in a group of fish that are particularly sensitive to changes in water temperature, the accessibility of specific kinds of feed, and stress during such lengthy journeys.
Even the small amount of knowledge that has been revealed about the lives and habitats of sharks has already led to a plethora of new questions that need to be addressed.
Despite the information that we already have, there is still so much more to learn about sharks and their migration routes and patterns.
Someday we may have all the answers, but until then, this will have to do! We hope you found this article interesting and informative.