Great white sharks make their way to Florida with ‘a dozen species on the move’ as trackers spot predator dubbed ‘Crystal’ swimming along Daytona Beach
A great white shark named Crystal was recently spotted floating through the waters off Daytona Beach as the species made its way to Florida.
The young predator was spotted on the morning of November 2 by researchers from OCEARCH, a nonprofit organization, near St. Augustine, Florida.
As temperatures drop in the northern regions, these beautiful creatures begin their migration to the southeastern coast.
More of these large sharks are expected to grace the warm currents off Florida’s east coast, eventually reaching the Gulf of Mexico.
The migration started around mid-October and will continue until early December, OCEARCH Senior Advisor for Science & Academics Dr. Bob Hueter News 6.
A three-foot long female great white shark named Crystal was recently spotted floating through the waters off Daytona Beach as the species made its way to Florida
Crystal was accompanied by her friend, a 3 meter long great white shark Andromache (pictured), named after the Greek character Andromache, a famous symbol of motherhood, strength and courage
As temperatures drop in the northern regions, these beautiful creatures begin their migration to the southeast coast
“It’s a bit like winter birds: the sharks move south in the fall when temperatures in the north drop,” he said. “We probably have a dozen species that are on the move right now.”
The Great White, the ocean’s most feared predator, typically reaches lengths of more than 20 feet and can weigh more than 2,500 pounds.
During shark winter migration, great white sharks become frequent and notable visitors in Florida waters.
Crystal’s striking beauty takes her name from North Carolina’s Crystal Coast, where trackers were able to sample and tag her in 2022.
She was accompanied by her friend, a 3-meter-long great white shark Andromache, named after the Greek character Andromache, a famous symbol of motherhood, strength and courage.
The migration began around mid-October and will continue until early December, said OCEARCH Senior Advisor for Science & Academics Dr. Bob Hueter.
More of these large sharks are expected to grace the warm currents off Florida’s east coast, eventually reaching the Gulf of Mexico
The great white, the ocean’s most feared predator, typically reaches lengths of more than 20 feet and can weigh more than 2,500 pounds
Researchers pinged Andromache off the coast of Marco Island on Thursday after spotting her almost in the same spot last year around the same time.
Andromache the shark appears to be leading the way on this journey, as researchers have spotted her at least six times in the past month navigating the waters around the Florida Keys.
The shark’s current trajectory appears to mirror the route of November and December of the previous year.
‘The white sharks spend the summer in these northern areas, feeding on energy-rich foods such as seals and tuna. And around mid-October, they start pushing south,” Hueter said.
“By early December, they’re typically off the southeast coast, off the east coast of Florida, and then a lot of them go all the way around the Keys and into the Gulf of Mexico.”
During shark winter migration, great white sharks become frequent and notable visitors in Florida waters
OCEARCH is a non-profit organization that researches giant creatures in the ocean
During the group’s expedition, scientists bring great white sharks aboard, tag them and monitor their activities
The organization said the beach at Daytona, where Crystal was recently pinged, was the southernmost beach the scientists saw.
OCEARCH is a non-profit organization that researches giant creatures in the ocean. During the group’s expedition, scientists bring great white sharks aboard, tag them and monitor their activities.
How far the creatures stay offshore depends on the age and sex of the individual shark, Hueter said. The distance can vary from one to one hundred kilometers.
The team first met Crystal on March 14 last year as they drifted away from North Carolina.
“She hung out with us for a while, circling the ship a few times, before we were able to study her in the elevator,” scientists wrote.
The organization said the beach at Daytona, where Crystal was recently pinged, was the southernmost beach the scientists saw it reach.