A female great white shark named Miss Pawla has been spotted off the Alabama coast on two separate occasions by researchers at the University of South Alabama (USA). She is approximately eight feet long and around 15 years old, with researchers estimating that she won’t reach maturity until at least 30 years of age. The first sighting of Miss Pawla occurred in mid-April during a survey with researchers from Mississippi State University and Florida’s Fish and Wildlife Institute, with a second sighting taking place ten days later. By May 3, she was no longer seen in the area.
Dr. Sean Powers, Director of USA’s Stokes School of Marine and Environmental Sciences, noted that great white shark sightings off the Alabama coast are rare, as they typically stay in cooler waters off New England and California. However, they are sometimes seen in the deeper areas of the Gulf of Mexico. The reef where Miss Pawla was spotted is only approximately 150 feet deep, marking the first recorded sighting in that area by scientists. Powers emphasized the importance of the university’s research in providing scientific data to assist the State of Alabama in managing its offshore fisheries.
Recent reports of great white shark sightings in coastal Alabama, including one caught by fishermen and another washed up dead on a Florida Panhandle beach, suggest that the species may be more common in the northern Gulf of Mexico than previously thought. White sharks have unique scarring patterns on their head and fins, making them easily identifiable to scientists who name them in order to track their movements. Miss Pawla, who had never been recorded before, was named by the university. Researchers are also tracking a 12-foot tiger shark named SouthJaw, also named after a USA mascot.
The university emphasized the importance of sharks as an integral part of Alabama’s rich marine ecosystem and stated that white sharks are federally protected species that must be released alive if caught. While great white shark sightings in the area are unusual, researchers are continuing to monitor and track these fascinating creatures to better understand their behavior and movements. Powers’ team has been conducting surveys of artificial and natural reef areas over the last decade, offering valuable scientific data to aid in the management of offshore fisheries in Alabama.
Overall, the recent sightings of Miss Pawla and other great white sharks off the Alabama coast highlight the diverse marine life present in the region and the importance of conservation efforts to protect these federally protected species. Researchers at the University of South Alabama are dedicated to studying and tracking these remarkable creatures to contribute to the management of the state’s offshore fisheries and to better understand the behavior and movements of white sharks in the northern Gulf of Mexico. As these rare sightings continue to spark interest and excitement, ongoing research efforts will provide valuable insights into the presence and behavior of great white sharks in Alabama’s coastal waters.
