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How many sharks are in the Tasman Sea?

Around 5500 great white sharks are lurking in the waters between New Zealand and Australia, 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 in the Tasman using world-first genetic analysis.



Providing a specific "headcount" for sharks in the Tasman Sea is scientifically impossible due to the vast, open nature of the water and the migratory habits of many species. However, the region is known to be a biological hotspot for various shark populations. Research from organizations like the CSIRO indicates that the Eastern Australasian Great White shark population—which utilizes the Tasman Sea as a corridor between Australia and New Zealand—is estimated to include approximately 750 adults and over 5,000 total individuals. Beyond Great Whites, the Tasman Sea is home to dozens of other species, including Tiger sharks, Bull sharks, Blue sharks, and various types of whalers and hammerheads. While total numbers likely reach into the hundreds of thousands or even millions when accounting for smaller, deep-water, and reef-dwelling species, scientific focus remains on monitoring the health and migration patterns of these apex predators rather than an exact census, as populations fluctuate seasonally with water temperatures and prey availability.

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