Great White Shark (Carcharodon carcharias), Gaansbaai, Western Cape, South Africa
The Great White Shark, is a large lamniform shark found in coastal surface waters in all major oceans. It is known for its size, with the largest specimen known to have approached or exceeded 6 metres in length and 2,268 kilograms in weight. The great white shark is arguably the world's largest known extant macropredatory fish and is one of the primary predators of marine mammals. It is the only known surviving species of its genus, Carcharodon, ranked by IUCN as vulnerable. Gaansbaai is famous for its White Shark and Southern Right Whale tourism, which is a key job provider for the community. The Dyer Island Conservation Trust is an example of "Linking Tourism & Conservation", where tour operators support the management of the protected sea bird and seal islands and promote the establishment of a larger marine protected area.
Year: 2012
From album: Biodiversity Hotspot Cape Floristic Region, South Africa
Photographer: Peter Prokosch