Effect of climate variability on the migration of white sharks (Carcharodon carcharias) from the Northwest Atlantic Ocean

Abstract

In a constantly evolving planet, climate variability has begun to generate significant changes in the oceans, affecting marine biodiversity and its spatial distribution, as is the case of sharks. This study analyses the effect of climate variability on the migration of white sharks (Carcharodon carcharias) in the Northwest Atlantic Ocean. Using Generalized Additive Models (GAM) with random effects, the relationship between latitude and sea surface temperature (SST) was analysed, among other oceanic variables such as pH, dissolved oxygen and salinity, correlating them with temporal (year and month) and biological variables (sex and maturity), also considering the individual effect of each specimen sampled. It is shown that white sharks show individual differences in their behaviour and response to climate variability. However, a general migratory pattern is observed, with sharks moving northwards in April and May, reaching higher latitudes between August and September, and returning southwards from October onwards. In this seasonal migratory pattern, there are significant differences between the sexes. Males appear to be distributed over a wider range of SST than females and, therefore, in the breadth of their spatial distribution, suggesting that males may be more resilient to climatic variability. These findings offer a perspective to consider on the impact of climate variability and individual adaptation on conservation strategies for white sharks, which may have crucial implications