What happened to the Norther American coastal waters when the great white shark population decreased?
When the great white shark population decreased in North American coastal waters, it had a significant impact on the overall ecosystem. With fewer sharks preying on marine animals such as seals, sea lions, and smaller fish, the populations of these prey species increased rapidly. This led to a cascade effect, with the increased prey populations putting pressure on other species further down the food chain.
The decrease in shark populations also disrupted the balance of the marine ecosystem, leading to changes in the distribution of species and potential overgrazing of certain habitats. Additionally, the absence of top predators like great white sharks can result in a decline in biodiversity and overall health of the ecosystem.
Overall, the decrease in great white shark populations in North American coastal waters had wide-ranging and negative effects on the marine environment. Efforts are being made to protect and conserve these apex predators to help restore balance and health to the ecosystem.