A great white shark named Kara has been tracked off the west coast of Vancouver Island, marking a rare sighting and prompting research into her movements.

Rare Sighting Sparks Research

The waters off Vancouver Island are experiencing an unusual visitor alongside regular cruise ship traffic – a great white shark named Kara. This female shark has been detected off the west coast of the island for the second time in just two months, sparking interest and research among marine biologists.

Kara's Journey and Tracking

Initially spotted near Vancouver Island on March 10th, Kara’s journey continued southward, with a detection off the coast of San Francisco by March 22nd. Her movements are being tracked by the Marine Conservation Science Institute (MCSI) in Seattle, which utilizes a satellite tagging system to monitor both great white sharks and mako sharks along the Southern California coastline.

The public can follow the tracked sharks, including Kara, through the Expedition White Shark app, currently monitoring around six individuals.

Food as a Primary Driver

Nicole Nasby Lucas, a research biologist with MCSI, suggests the shark’s movement is likely driven by a pursuit of food sources. “It could be that they’re following marine mammals or sea lions that might be up in the area, or maybe following a whale migration. So usually if they’re moving that far up, it’s probably based on a food strategy,” Lucas explained.

Atypical Movement Pattern

What makes Kara’s journey particularly noteworthy is its atypical nature. “This is the only one that we’ve tracked that far north, so it’s not a typical movement. But interestingly, they have repeated migration patterns. If they were successful in finding food up there, this shark will repeat this pattern,” Lucas stated. She added that each shark might have its own favourite place for finding food.

Lucas also dismissed the notion that warmer Canadian waters are attracting Kara, stating, “The white sharks are very tolerant of cold waters, so I don’t think they would be affected by it.”

Future Predictions and Conservation

Victoria-based naturalist Laura Briggs anticipates Kara will remain offshore and potentially head towards the Central Pacific Ocean. Briggs emphasized the importance of avoiding speculation and highlighted the need for reliable population estimates and the identification of pupping grounds to effectively protect the species.

Limitations of Tracking Technology

Michael Domeier, president of MCSI, cautioned that the satellite tracking data isn’t always entirely accurate. He explained that the tags don’t use GPS but rely on radio transmitters and the Doppler effect, which can result in errors, sometimes showing sharks appearing on land. “You’ve probably heard of the Doppler effect… it takes a lot of complex math to estimate a position, and large errors can occur. That’s why you see the sharks on land at times.”

Ongoing Research and Public Engagement

Despite these inaccuracies, the tracking data provides valuable insights into the movements and potential behaviors of these magnificent creatures. The ongoing tracking of Kara and other sharks through the Expedition White Shark app allows for a collaborative effort between scientists and the public, fostering a greater awareness and appreciation for these apex predators and the importance of protecting our oceans.