Why anyone should be astounded that a Great White may or may not have be seen in UK waters now, in the past, or the future, I really can?t fathom.
GWs are distributed in all the world?s oceans, some having more than their fair share than others. British waters during the summer months in particular fit into the temperature zone (12 - 24c) that is known to be conducive for their survival.
It also has 2 endemic species of seal present all year round, one of which, the common seal consists of 40% of the world population. Added to that it has 3 others that are frequent visitors.
Given that it?s know that seals are one of its preferred foods and they are reasonably plentiful in UK waters, why shouldn?t they during the summer and their global travels not visit its shores?
Why should they be seen off Cornwall Coast and English Channel?
Well, it?s known that the Mediterranean Sea has them in, and the endemic species of seal (Monk seal) to that sea is bordering on the edge of extinction.
So any creature leaving that sea in its search for preferred food, might well follow the warm summer Gulf Stream water drift past Portugal, France and find itself off the Cornish Coast, where it would encounter the sent of grey seals that frequent that coast. It might even encounter the sent of the largest colony of common seals in the UK, which are situated on the Wash.
For me that is entirely feasible and likely possibility and I?d bet it probably happens far more times that we imagine.
