Estimates of regional annual abundance and population growth rates of white sharks off central California

Determining population trends is critical for evaluating management actions and prioritizing species protections. In this study, we used empirical data to produce an estimate of the trend sub-adult adult white sharks in central California. We unique dorsal fin morphology build a mark-recapture set modified Jolly-Seber model (POPAN formulation) annual abundance then investigate growth rates using parametric bootstrapping methods (males females). For all demographic groups combined, found equivocal evidence positive regional (λ = 1.07 (95% CI 0.91 1.23)). However, sex- size-specific rate estimates provided some increases reproductively mature males 1.06 0.99 1.13)) females 0.95 1.17)). male female sharks, point λ were but uncertainty prevents strong inference 0.85 1.29)) 1.08 0.88 1.28)), respectively. Our findings potential increase reproductive-aged California may be result fluxes density or attributed part current protection efforts subsequent pinnipeds as well reduced gill-net fisheries mortality juveniles. A entire northeastern Pacific will require obtaining similar across known aggregation areas along west coast North America.