“Alarming Rise in Great White Shark Deaths Linked to Mystery Brain Inflammation”
Reports of great white sharks washing up dead on beaches with enlarged brains have left scientists in Canada and the US puzzled and concerned. The Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative (CWHC) recently encountered its first dead white shark after over three decades of research, sparking worry within the scientific community. The discovery of a great white shark with no apparent injuries found dead on a beach in Prince Edward Island, Canada in August 2023 raised red flags when the cause of death was determined to be meningoencephalitis, a condition that causes inflammation of brain tissues and disrupts normal cognitive functions.
Subsequent findings of four more dead great white sharks on beaches in eastern Canada, three of which showed signs of the same brain condition, have deepened the mystery surrounding the unexplained deaths. Dr. Megan Jones, a veterinary pathologist and regional director of the CWHC, emphasized the urgency of understanding this potentially infectious disease affecting the sharks’ brains. Similar instances of brain inflammation have been observed in other shark species, usually attributed to bacterial infections, but the cause remains elusive in the recent cases involving great white sharks.
The unique Y-shaped brains of great white sharks, though relatively large compared to other fish species, are still small relative to their body size, measuring approximately 60cm. Dr. Jones highlighted the potential consequences of brain inflammation, such as impairing a shark’s ability to feed or navigate, possibly leading to stranding on beaches. As a result, a group of scientists in Canada and the US has mobilized to investigate the emerging threat facing these iconic predators.
Despite the ongoing research efforts, much remains unknown about sharks compared to other marine animals like whales and dolphins, with shark science often facing inadequate funding. The vulnerability of great white sharks globally, as recognized by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, underlines the urgency of addressing the declining population numbers, exacerbated by bycatch in commercial fisheries. Nonetheless, the North Atlantic region has witnessed a growth in the great white shark population, attributed to warming waters and the recovery of seal populations, driving these apex predators further north.
Tonya Wimmer, executive director of the Marine Animal Response Society, suggested that the recent surge in shark deaths could be a consequence of the natural population increase among these species. With the scientific community grappling with the enigma of the great white shark deaths, the urgency to protect and understand these majestic creatures grows stronger, underscoring the need for continued research and conservation efforts to safeguard their future in the oceans.
