Evidence of increasing juvenile white sharks' (Carcharodon carcharias) habitat use at the Northern Channel Islands

Abstract

AbstractJuvenile white sharks (Carcharodon carcharias) typically aggregate along coastal beaches; however, high levels of recruitment and shifting oceanographic conditions may be causing habitat use expansions. Telemetry data indicate increased habitat use at the Northern Channel Islands (California, USA) by juvenile white shark that may be in response to increased population density at aggregation locations, or anomalous oceanographic events that impact habitat use or expand available habitat. Findings illustrate the need for long‐term movement monitoring and understanding drivers of habitat use shifts and expansion to improve ecosystem management.