Is this a newborn great white shark? Big if true.

The sight of a great white shark near a California beach would normally be a cause for concern, given their potential to attack humans. However, last summer, a baby great white shark was observed near Santa Barbara, raising the interest of marine biologists. This possible newborn was captured on film shedding a milky white substance, possibly remnants of “uterine milk.” The researchers believe this might be the first-ever sighting of a newborn great white shark.

In the newly published paper, filmmaker Carlos Gauna and researcher Phillip Sternes claim that the shark’s appearance and location support the idea that it is a newborn. However, not everyone agrees. Shark researcher Gavin Naylor suggested that the young animal might be a few weeks old and could have strayed into shallow waters.

The researchers acknowledge that the white substance could be caused by a skin disorder, and not necessarily an indication of infancy. This uncertainty highlights the gaps in our knowledge about great white sharks and other marine creatures. These unknowns make it challenging to enforce effective conservation measures for these species.

The declining global population of white sharks, listed as “vulnerable” by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, underscores the urgency of understanding their breeding grounds. If the area near Southern California is indeed a breeding ground for white sharks, it would be crucial to protect these waters to ensure the species’ survival. Further research is needed to confirm these findings and inform conservation efforts.