Great white wintering aggregation in Gulf of Mexico (OCEARCH tagging) [developing]
Key Questions
Where do great white sharks aggregate in winter according to OCEARCH?
OCEARCH tracks 92 great whites, with about 57 at Pulley Ridge in the Gulf of Mexico for 2026 wintering. Tagging efforts by UMaine, Semester by Sea, and UTMSI focus on this key nursery area.
What threats do Gulf of Mexico great white nurseries face?
A lawsuit by environmental groups challenges Gulf oil/gas ESA exemptions under Trump, Rep. Castor, endangering Rice's whale (<100 individuals) and sea turtles in shark nurseries. Integrate prey, bycatch, surveys, contaminants, and ship traffic for full assessment.
How are orcas affecting great white sharks?
Orcas are displacing great whites off California by outwitting them in epic battles. This shifts predation dynamics, potentially impacting populations.
What other factors influence great white distributions?
Gulf Maine food webs, Panama upwelling vanishing due to PDV, and Hatteras menhaden risks affect great white movements. Orcas add competitive pressure in California.
What monitoring integrates Gulf great white data?
OCEARCH tagging combines with prey/bycatch/surveys/contaminants/ship traffic analysis. UMaine/Semester by Sea/UTMSI efforts provide comprehensive tracking amid threats.
OCEARCH 2026: 92 great whites, ~57 Pulley Ridge. UMaine/Semester by Sea/UTMSI Gulf tagging; Gulf Maine food webs; Panama upwelling vanishing (PDV); Hatteras menhaden risks; orcas displacing CA great whites; Gulf oil/gas ESA exemption lawsuit (env groups vs Trump, Rep. Castor, Rice's whale <100/turtles) threatens nurseries; Mexico Gulf oil spill (Mar2026 Veracruz/Campeche). Integrate prey/bycatch/surveys/contaminants/ship traffic.