What happened to North American coastal waters when the great white shark population decreased?
When the great white shark population decreased, there was a noticeable impact on North American coastal waters. One of the main consequences was an increase in the population of prey species, such as seals and sea lions, which are typically hunted by great white sharks. This led to an imbalance in the ecosystem, with overpopulation of certain species and a decline in others.
Additionally, the decrease in great white sharks also affected the behavior of other marine predators, such as orcas and larger fish species, as they no longer faced competition from the apex predator. This disruption in the food chain had ripple effects throughout the entire ecosystem, potentially leading to changes in the distribution and abundance of various marine species.
Overall, the decrease in the great white shark population had a negative impact on the health and balance of North American coastal waters, highlighting the importance of apex predators in maintaining a healthy ecosystem.