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Gone are the days when we associated sharks with Steven Spielbergs terrifying Jaws.
Now, we celebrate all new marine life, including the species that has so often been misunderstood.
I believe it was a newborn white shark shedding its embryonic layer.
These observations were documented in a newpaperin the Environmental Biology of Fishes journal.
The paper detailed the significance of having seen a live newborn white shark.
Carlos, known online as The Malibu Artist, has spent thousands of hours filming sharks around the world.
He said: Where white sharks give birth is one of the holy grails of shark science.
There have been dead white sharks found inside deceased pregnant mothers.
But nothing like this.
Great white females give birth to live pups.
While in utero, the embryonic sharks might feed on unfertilized eggs for protein.
Phillip said: I believe what we saw was the baby shedding the intrauterine milk.
Moreover, there is a presence of large, likely pregnant great whites in this location.
Phillip had reportedly observed them there in previous years and in the weeks leading up to the observation.
Its not a stretch to deduce where the baby came from.
What the two observed was thin, short, and rounded.
The location off the coast of central California has long been proposed as a birthing location for great whites.
According to the release, many scholars believe great whites are born farther out at sea.
Great whites are listed as an international endangered species.
Phillip said: Further research is needed to confirm these waters are indeed a great white breeding ground.
Gavin wasnt involved with Phillip and Carlos observation.
It could unlock the door as a new discovery and reinforce the need for greater protection in these areas.
Nicholas wasnt involved with the study.
Check out the results:
