Many people wonder about the presence of great white sharks in Washington State waters, given their widespread reputation. This curiosity often stems from media portrayals and the general allure surrounding these apex predators. Exploring whether these powerful marine animals inhabit the Pacific Northwest’s diverse aquatic environments provides insight into the region’s marine ecosystems.
Confirmed Presence and Frequency
Great white sharks are found off the coast of Washington State, though their presence is rare and typically involves transient individuals. These sharks travel extensively, migrating as far north as Washington from their primary aggregation areas off central California and Mexico. Their appearances in Washington’s coastal waters are usually occasional visits rather than sustained residency.
Evidence of their presence has been confirmed through specific incidents. In 2015, a seal found near Ocean Shores with a distinct bite pattern indicated an attack by a great white shark, estimated to be around 18 feet long. This event underscored that great white sharks do approach the state’s outer coast. Documented interactions with humans are exceedingly rare; only two non-fatal shark attacks have been recorded in Washington since 1837, both attributed to great whites and occurring in Grays Harbor.
Washington Waters and Shark Habitat
The conditions of Washington’s waters play a role in attracting or deterring great white sharks. Great white sharks inhabit temperate and tropical coastal waters globally, preferring areas around continental and insular shelves, and can move into bays. Their physiological adaptations, including a specialized blood circulation system, allow them to maintain a body temperature warmer than the surrounding water, enabling them to tolerate cooler ocean environments.
Water temperatures off the Washington coast are cooler than those in more southern regions, but generally fall within the great white’s adaptable range, particularly during warmer months. The outer coast of Washington also supports abundant populations of seals and sea lions, a primary food source for adult great white sharks. These marine mammal populations have rebounded, potentially drawing great white sharks to the area in pursuit of prey.
In contrast, the inland waters of Puget Sound typically do not host great white sharks. Puget Sound’s water temperatures are generally colder. While great whites can tolerate cooler waters, the semi-enclosed nature of Puget Sound is not typically conducive to their preferred migratory patterns and extensive hunting grounds. Scientifically confirmed reports of great white sharks within Puget Sound are lacking.
Other Sharks in Washington
Beyond the occasional great white, Washington State’s marine environments are home to approximately a dozen to fifteen other shark species regularly found in these waters.
The Pacific spiny dogfish is the most common shark in Washington, typically reaching lengths of up to 4.5 feet and feeding on small fish and invertebrates. Bluntnose sixgill sharks are large, deep-dwelling sharks that can grow up to 18 feet and are prevalent in Puget Sound, with females often moving into shallower waters to give birth. Broadnose sevengill sharks, known for their large size and seven gill slits, have also been confirmed in South Puget Sound, where they prey on various marine animals, including fish and marine mammals.
Other notable species include:
- Salmon sharks, which can resemble great whites but typically grow to about 10 feet and are found in coastal waters, not Puget Sound.
- Common thresher sharks, identifiable by their long, whip-like tails, can reach 20 feet and are usually found in the open ocean but sometimes appear near the coast.
- Blue sharks, averaging 6 to 10 feet, generally inhabit the open ocean.
- The Pacific sleeper shark is a deep-water species, growing up to 14 feet, and resides in both Puget Sound and off the coast.
- The basking shark, the second-largest fish globally, is a filter feeder that can reach 40 feet, occasionally seen off the Washington coast.
Most of these shark species generally pose no threat to humans, and encounters are infrequent.