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South Africa's great white sharks face extinction, says study
South Africa’s great white sharks face the threat of extinction after a steep decline in numbers caused by trophy hunting, shark nets and pollution, according to a study.
The six-year research project along the country’s coastline revealed that only between 353 and 522 of the sharks are still alive, half the level previously thought.
“The numbers in South Africa are extremely low. If the situation stays the same, South Africa’s great white sharks are heading for possible extinction,” said Sara Andreotti, the study’s author and a Stellenbosch University researcher, on Wednesday.
Scientists conducted the census by collecting biopsy samples and photographs of dorsal fins of the great predators, including in the Gansbaai area near Cape Town, a hotspot for shark-cage diving.
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/jul/20/south-africa-great-white-sharks-extinction
The six-year research project along the country’s coastline revealed that only between 353 and 522 of the sharks are still alive, half the level previously thought.
“The numbers in South Africa are extremely low. If the situation stays the same, South Africa’s great white sharks are heading for possible extinction,” said Sara Andreotti, the study’s author and a Stellenbosch University researcher, on Wednesday.
Scientists conducted the census by collecting biopsy samples and photographs of dorsal fins of the great predators, including in the Gansbaai area near Cape Town, a hotspot for shark-cage diving.
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/jul/20/south-africa-great-white-sharks-extinction
