Climate has sharks on the move

By the Editorial Team · Thursday, July 30, 2026

Rising ocean temperatures are causing bull sharks to establish new nursery habitats farther north along the U.S. East Coast, while great white sharks migrate annually to the Gulf of Mexico for winter. These changes reflect shifting shark distributions driven by climate change, which may increase shark presence in areas previously less common but do not necessarily indicate a rise in overall shark populations.

Rising ocean temperatures are influencing shark behavior and distribution along the U.S. coastline, according to recent scientific studies. Researchers have found that climate-driven warming is shifting shark habitats, resulting in changes to migration routes, nursery grounds, and feeding areas.

A study led by Shannon Barry from the Florida Institute of Technology highlights that bull sharks are moving their nursery habitats farther north along the East Coast. This shift, attributed to increasing ocean temperatures, has led to the establishment of a new nursery population in North Carolina. Bull sharks typically prefer water temperatures ranging between 26 to 30 degrees Celsius (79 to 86 degrees Fahrenheit) for adults, while juveniles tolerate a broader range from 20 to 34 degrees Celsius (68 to 93 degrees Fahrenheit). As coastal waters continue to warm, these near-shore habitats are becoming more suitable for juvenile bull sharks in regions that were previously less hospitable.

In a separate study, researchers tracked the movements of great white sharks along the Atlantic coast using satellite-linked and acoustic tags. The data revealed that many of these sharks migrate thousands of miles each winter from areas including Nova Scotia and the northeastern United States to the Gulf of Mexico, where they spend several months between December and May. This finding confirms that the Gulf serves as a significant winter habitat for great white sharks, underscoring the interconnectedness of Atlantic marine ecosystems.

Despite these shifts in shark behavior and ranges, experts caution that the overall number of sharks along the U.S. coast is not necessarily increasing. Instead, sharks may be appearing in areas where they were once less common. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) notes that ocean temperatures have been consistently above average since the mid-1990s, driven by global climate change, and the oceans continue to absorb more than 90% of excess heat from the atmosphere.

Florida remains the state with the highest number of unprovoked shark bites in the United States, a situation attributed to its extensive coastline and large number of water users. However, shark attacks remain extremely rare: statistics show that the odds of being bitten by a shark are estimated at about one in 11.5 million, significantly lower than the chances of being struck by lightning.

To reduce the risk of shark encounters, experts recommend measures such as swimming with a buddy, avoiding swimming at dawn or dusk, staying clear of fishing areas, refraining from wearing shiny jewelry, and minimizing splashing. These precautions can help lower the already small likelihood of shark-human interactions even as shifting shark habitats bring these animals closer to shore in some regions.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.