white shark

The White Shark is related to the Mako and porbeagle It is classified in the family lamnidae

The White Shark is recognised by its torpedo-shaped body, pointed snout, large pectoral and first dorsal fins, crescent-shaped tail, black eye and large serrated teeth in the jaws. They are grey or bronze above and white below. They can grow to at least 6m in length and weigh 3000kg. Female matures at 4.5-5m in length.

It is believed that a White Shark of 5-6m in length is likely to be 15-25 years old. However, the technique of aging sharks by examining growth rings in their vertebrae, is yet to be confirmed as accurate for this species.

White Sharks encountered by people are usually immature, measuring between 3-4m in length. The impressive 2.3mspecimen in the Australian Museum collection is only a juvenile.

Juvenile White Sharks normally eat squid and other fishes such as stingrays and other sharks. As the fish matures, its diet changes. Adults eat seals, sea lions, dolphins and dead whales, although some will continue to eat fishes such as snapper. These sharks have also been known to eat elephant seals, sea otters, turtles and sea birds.

White Sharks are found worldwide in temperate, coastal waters. In Australia they have been recorded from southern Queensland to northwestern Western Australia.

Despite Australia's reputation as "the place to go to see White Sharks", they are uncommon. There are no reliable estimates of the number of White Sharks in Australian waters however, evidence suggests that their numbers are decreasing. This species is now protected in all Australian states and territorial waters.

The White Shark is also protected in many places around the world. South Africa was the first to protect this species in 1992, followed by Namibia, the Maldives, Florida and California and Australia.

The White Shark is a powerful predator, which provokes fear in many people. However, this may not be entirely warranted. Scientists are only recently building up knowledge on the biology, movements and vulnerability of this species. A new research project funded by the Natural Heritage Trust, and under the leadership of J. Stevens and B. Bruce, of CSIRO Fisheries, is one such study. Visit the csiro site  to view the page on "Neale" the tagged White Shark.

Further reading:

1. Hutchins, B. & R. Swainston. 1986. Sea Fishes of Southern Australia. Complete Field Guide for Anglers and Divers. Swainston Publishing. Pp. 180.
2. Last, P.R. & J.D. Stevens. 1994. Sharks and Rays of Australia. CSIRO. Pp. 513, Pl. 1-84.
3. Stevens, JD in Gomon, M.F, C.J.M. Glover & R.H. Kuiter (Eds). 1994. The Fishes of Australia's South Coast. State Print, Adelaide. Pp. 992.
4. White Sharks. Filling the gaps in our knowledge. CSIRO Fact Sheet 35, May 1999, Pp. 2.