Great white sharks are present in Florida waters. These apex predators are known for their extensive migrations, and Florida’s coastal areas play a role in their annual movements. While not year-round inhabitants, their appearance is a regular, seasonal event.
Great White Shark Presence in Florida
Great white sharks are regular, but not permanent, visitors to Florida’s marine environment. Their presence is most common during the cooler months, from late fall through early spring. They can be found along both the Atlantic and Gulf coasts of Florida.
These sharks undertake predictable annual migrations that bring them southward. While they are present, they generally remain offshore, often dozens of miles from the coastline, and are not typically encountered in immediate nearshore areas.
Seasonal Movements and Habitat Preferences
The presence of great white sharks in Florida is directly linked to their migratory routes. As waters in the North Atlantic cool during late fall and winter, these sharks begin a southward journey. This migration extends from northern feeding grounds, such as off New England and Atlantic Canada, towards warmer winter waters, including those off the southeastern United States and into the Gulf of Mexico.
They are drawn to Florida’s waters during these cooler months in pursuit of prey and a preference for specific water temperatures. Great white sharks are known to follow colder currents southward, seeking out areas with suitable conditions and food sources. When in Florida waters, they often prefer deeper coastal areas and regions near continental shelf breaks, staying well offshore.
Scientific Monitoring and Insights
Scientists gather information about great white sharks in Florida. Acoustic tagging and satellite tagging are key techniques used to track their movements. Organizations such as OCEARCH deploy tracking technology on individual sharks, providing data on their locations and migration patterns. For example, a large male great white named Contender, measuring nearly 14 feet and weighing over 1,600 pounds, was tagged off the Florida-Georgia border and has been tracked moving along Florida’s east coast.
These tracking efforts reveal consistent patterns, such as the sharks’ tendency to stay well offshore in areas like the Gulf Stream. The data collected helps researchers understand residency times and overall behavior of these sharks in the marine ecosystem. Additionally, environmental DNA (eDNA) sampling, which involves collecting water samples to detect shed DNA, offers another non-invasive method for determining the presence and genetic diversity of shark species in an area.