Large white shark den discovered in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, doubled

The great white sharks off the coasts of California and Mexico, known as the Northeast Pacific whites, spend their time between August and December feeding on seals and other marine species on the west coast. . the ocean halfway to Hawaii.

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Now, researchers at the Monterey Bay Aquarium think they know why and they dubbed the area the "White Shark Café."

According to scientists, it appears that predators congregate in the middle of nowhere in winter and spring to enjoy an abundance of marine life, such as squid, fish, jellyfish and phytoplankton.

What they thought was an oceanic desert is actually a sea-rich ocean oasis that sharks can feed for months, the researchers said in a press release.

A group of scientists went to the area earlier this year to study what they thought was a kind of dead zone.

"We have found a great diversity of fish and sea squid (more than 100 species)," said Barbara Block, Principal Investigator and Marine Scientist at Stanford University.

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A large white shark is swimming in Shark Alley near Dyer Island on July 8, 2010 in Gansbaai, South Africa.
(Ryan Pierse / Getty Images)

Block discovered the area more than a decade ago after tracking marked sharks in the area, reported Live Science.

Block said that the abundance of marine life in the area is sufficient to support larger predators like shark and tuna.

Scientists have always considered that this part of the Pacific Ocean was essentially devoid of life. During the research campaign, they found "deep layers of phytoplankton (microscopic seaweed) for months".

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"These algae, as well as the larger animals observed, suggest that the area is more biologically productive than what the researchers expected," scientists said.

According to Live Science, the team continues to analyze the results of this year's research campaign and hopes to learn more about the White Shark Café.