Great White sharks may be swimming onto California's endangered species list

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Feb 6, 2013

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Great White sharks may be swimming onto California's endangered species list

Chris Lowe at CSU-Long Beach's Shark Lab explains that the current health of the great white shark population is unknown, and what the listing would mean for his own research.

GANSBAAI, SOUTH AFRICA - OCTOBER 19: A Great White Shark is attracted by a lure on the 'Shark Lady Adventure Tour' on October 19, 2009 in Gansbaai, South Africa. The lure, usually a tuna head, is attached to a buoy and thrown into the water in front of the cage with the divers. The waters off Gansbaai are the best place in the world to see Great White Sharks, due to the abundance of prey such as seals and penguins which live and breed on Dyer Island, which lies 8km from the mainland. (Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)

Chris Lowe at CSU-Long Beach's Shark Lab explains that the current health of the great white shark population is unknown, and what the listing would mean for his own research.

The great white shark may not just be threatening, but threatened, itself.

California could take the first steps, today, in placing the fearsome predator on the state's endangered species list. The federal government is currently reviewing whether to give the shark the "endangered" status, as well.

But the California move would mean several restrictions would go into effect immediately. Fishers, for example, would have to change when and how they fish.

Chris Lowe at CSU-Long Beach's Shark Lab explains that the current health of the great white shark population is unknown, and what the listing would mean for his own research.