Australia’s east coast home to 5,500 great white sharks
by Australian Associated Press from Environment | The Guardian on (#3FEQN)
CSIRO researchers use world-first genetic analysis to estimate population, but believe numbers could be as high as 12,800
About 5,500 great white sharks are cruising in the waters off Australia's east coast, new research has revealed.
For the first time, the CSIRO has been able to put a number on the size of the white shark population using world-first genetic analysis.
It estimates there are about 750 adults living in waters east of Victoria's southern coast, up to central Queensland and across to New Zealand.
Taking juvenile sharks into account, researchers believe the total east coast population sits at 5,460 - but could be as high as 12,800.
Related: Shark attacks in Australia: how common are they really?
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