(North County Beat) – In San Diego, scientists are intensively studying great white sharks to better grasp the behavior of these powerful predators. Recently, this research gained urgency following an incident where a swimmer was bitten in Del Mar, prompting a deeper investigation into the factors surrounding shark interactions with humans.
Professor Chris Lowe from California State University, Long Beach’s Shark Lab confirmed that DNA testing identified the shark responsible for the bite as a great white, estimating its length to be approximately nine feet. The examination of the bite wound indicated that the encounter was likely defensive rather than predatory. “More than likely, it was defensive-related,” Lowe explained, noting that the shark’s behavior did not resemble that of a typical attack from a larger, more aggressive animal.
The victim of the incident, a 46-year-old man, underwent surgery but has since returned to the water, highlighting the generally low incidence of aggressive encounters with juvenile sharks. The Shark Lab has tagged hundreds of white sharks over the past few years and has observed that aggressive behavior is rare among these younger sharks.
To enhance their understanding of shark populations, the Shark Lab is engaged in a DNA sequencing project aimed at mapping familial relationships among the sharks along the coast from Santa Barbara to San Diego. This research will allow scientists to track whether sharks are siblings or part of the same litter, much like a genetic analysis for humans.
However, the Shark Lab is facing funding challenges that threaten the continuity of its monitoring program. To sustain their efforts and keep beachgoers safe, they are seeking $500,000 from the County of San Diego by September. Lowe emphasized the importance of their work, stating, “This monitoring program will help keep people safe, especially when they are visiting our lovely beaches.”
