Mysterious Shark Deaths Raise Alarm Along North America's Coasts

An unusual trend of dead Great White Sharks washing ashore along North America's coastlines has left scientists puzzled. According to a report from the New York Times, five of these sharks have been discovered on the eastern coast of Canada since 2023, with an additional four found on U.S. beaches, totaling nine confirmed cases.

Historically, the Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperator had not recorded a single Great White corpse along its shores in over three decades. Experts are investigating the cause of these fatalities, noting that the sharks exhibit no signs of injury or trauma, ruling out attacks by orcas or boats. Most sharks were found with full stomachs, dismissing the theory of starvation as a factor.

Megan Jones, a veterinary pathologist, indicated that three of the affected sharks may share a common infectious brain disease, potentially meningoencephalitis, which inflates brain tissues and could explain their deaths. Alisa Newton, chief veterinarian for OCEARCH, expressed concern over the significant implications this trend may have on marine ecosystems, particularly as ocean conditions continue to change.