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When were great white sharks protected in California waters?
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white shark
White shark (Carcharodon carcharias) populations are frequently centred in highly productive temperate coastal waters (that is, waters characterized by an abundance of fishes and marine mammals).
The great white shark has been protected in California waters since 1994.1
These protections are vital for the conservation of the species, which is classified as vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Because these sharks grow slowly and produce few offspring, they are particularly susceptible to population depletion from commercial fishing and accidental bycatch. Establishing legal protections is an essential ethical step to ensure the survival of these top predators, which play a critical role in maintaining the balance of marine ecosystems.2