Shark sightings are hitting record highs along U.S. coastlines as the apex predators seek cooler waters amid rising ocean temperatures. This summer, beachgoers are on alert after receiving multiple warnings of shark sightings in popular spots like Rockaway Beach in New York, among others. Research suggests that warmer oceans are forcing several shark species to change their habits, adopting new migration paths that puts them further north during this time of the year. Things are heating up Over the past decade, the oceans have experienced record temperatures. The ocean absorbs most of the excess heat from greenhouse gas emissions, soaking up more than 90% of the heat trapped in Earth’s climate, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Cold-blooded sharks are not a fan of warm waters, and these increases are forcing them to adapt by shifting their geographic ranges to escape the heat. As a result, some species are expanding their range further north along the East coast.
In Rockaway Beach, New York, there’s been 23 shark sightings between late May to early July, with 16 of them occurring in the first week of July, NBC New York reported. Rockaway, as well as other popular beaches in New York, have been temporarily closed due to shark activity, and state park police are using drones to monitor the waters over the summer in an effort to keep beachgoers safe due.
