Key Concepts
Great white sharks, Deep Blue, Kanani, Howie Girl, whale carcass, tiger sharks, shark identification, Guadalupe Island, Hawaii, shark migration, marine conservation, underwater photography, shark behavior, shark intelligence, human-shark interaction, marine ecosystems.
Discovery of a Whale Carcass and Initial Shark Sightings
On January 11th, 2019, a sperm whale carcass washed ashore near Sand Island in Oahu, Hawaii, attracting numerous tiger sharks. Wildlife photographer Kimberly Jeff and boat captain Mark Mohler, interested in capturing photos of the event, were initially disappointed when the carcass was moved offshore by the Department of Land and Natural Resources on January 12th. They later learned the carcass was dropped 8 miles offshore and decided to search for it.
Encounter with Deep Blue
Kim, along with Andrew Gray and boat captain Danny Roberts, located the whale carcass. Initially, they encountered tiger sharks. However, the tiger sharks suddenly disappeared, replaced by a massive great white shark. Andrew estimated the shark to be around 6 meters (20 feet) long. Kim recognized the significance of the sighting and contacted Mark. The shark, later identified as Deep Blue, was observed feeding on the whale carcass for about half an hour.
Identification of Deep Blue
Kim shared her photos with George Propes, a shark photographer familiar with white sharks at Guadalupe Island in Mexico. Propes, with the help of the Marine Conservation Science Institute, identified the shark as Deep Blue, a famous great white shark previously filmed off Guadalupe Island in 2013 by Michael Meyer and named by Mauricio Hoyos. The identification was based on unique markings and notches, particularly a distinctive notch.
Deep Blue's Size and Potential Pregnancy
Based on Kim's photos and using her height as a reference, scientists estimated Deep Blue to be at least 20 feet long. The video mentions the possibility of Deep Blue being pregnant, given her size and the time elapsed since her last sighting. White sharks typically have 2-10 pups, but can have up to 14. However, it's noted that a large belly could simply be due to the large amount of whale meat consumed. Determining pregnancy definitively requires blood samples to analyze sex hormones or tracking the shark's movements along the California coast. It's estimated that a white shark could consume over 400 lbs of whale meat in a single feeding, potentially sustaining them for a month.
Shark Migration and Deep-Sea Behavior
The video discusses the migration patterns of great white sharks, noting that some sharks tagged in California have been tracked to Hawaii. This supports Leighton Taylor's earlier theory that white sharks migrate from the West Coast to Hawaii. Deep submersible missions have captured great white sharks at depths of up to 1,000 feet around the Hawaiian Islands, suggesting they may spend a significant amount of time at these depths.
Discovery of Kanani
The team returned to the whale carcass the following day but found no sharks. However, they later learned that another great white shark had been sighted at the carcass that evening. This shark, named Kanani, was identified as a different individual and was estimated to be around 17 feet long.
Encounter with Howie Girl and Boat Damage
Motivated by the new sighting, Kim, Andrew, and Jeff returned to the carcass the next day. A new, even larger great white shark, named Howie Girl, appeared. Howie Girl was estimated to be around 18 feet long and was accompanied by two roughtooth dolphins. Howie Girl exhibited curious behavior, including interacting with Kim's boat, "Rubber Ducky." The shark bit the boat, puncturing one of the sponsons and causing it to deflate. Mark arrived to provide assistance, and captured photos of Kim in the water with Howie Girl.
Significance of the Sightings
The video emphasizes the rarity and significance of encountering three different great white sharks at the same location. The sightings provide valuable data for scientists studying shark behavior, migration patterns, and population dynamics. The presence of multiple large female sharks suggests the possibility of social behavior or shared migration routes. The return of white sharks to Hawaiian waters is seen as a positive sign of ecosystem recovery.
Hawaiian Cultural Connection
The video highlights the historical connection between Native Hawaiians and great white sharks, citing artifacts at the Bishop Museum in Honolulu. These artifacts include weapons and tools made with great white shark teeth, as well as hooks used to catch large sharks.
Conclusion
The encounters with Deep Blue, Kanani, and Howie Girl off the coast of Hawaii provided a unique opportunity to study these apex predators and contribute to our understanding of their behavior and ecology. The sightings underscore the importance of marine conservation efforts and the potential for ecosystem recovery.
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