A recent wave of great white shark deaths has left scientists baffled, with several cases showing brain inflammation and no apparent signs of injury or trauma. The Canadian and American teams are working together to unravel the mystery behind the mysterious meningoencephalitis, which is causing widespread concern among researchers.
Five beached sharks have been diagnosed with the disease, with three of them sharing similar symptoms. The affected sharks were found on beaches in eastern Canada over the past few months, with most deaths dating back to 2022. The cause of death was initially thought to be starvation, but microscopic testing revealed meningoencephalitis as the primary issue.
Experts believe that the disease may be linked to an underlying infection or parasite, but the exact origin is still unknown. Dr. Alisa Newton, a shark researcher, has been studying the phenomenon and suspects that it could be a sign of a larger population surge for endangered great white sharks. However, more research is needed to confirm this theory.
The investigation involves genetic sequencing of brain tissue samples from affected sharks, which will help establish whether another organism is causing the meningoencephalitis. The Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative and other organizations are working together to collect and analyze data, while also providing a framework for connecting local officials with scientists when a white shark is found beached on the eastern coast of North America.
The findings highlight the need for further research into shark science, which remains relatively underfunded and lacks standard protocols for reporting and studying shark deaths. As more information becomes available, experts hope to shed light on this enigmatic wave of great white shark fatalities.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/01/science/canada-great-white-sharks.html