A Blue Shark can migrate several thousand kilometres

Many species of shark swim considerable distances over the course of a year, some migrating hundreds or even of thousands of miles at a time. Like most migratory animals, they typically move in pursuit of food, or to their regular breeding grounds in warmer waters, although the true reasons for migration are not well understood in many species.

Some, such as blue sharks, are thought to follow shoals of baitfish as they in turn pursue their own sources of food. Others, such as great whites, move in search of larger prey items, like seals, which gather in large numbers to breed at certain times of the year. The biggest shark of all, the whale shark, is known to migrate to specific areas to coincide with coral spawning, which provides them with vast amounts of food.

Many studies are being conducted on shark migration, and researchers are discovering that many species previously thought to stay relatively close to one location often travel vast distances. The most famous wanderers are blue sharks, which have been known to travel nearly 7,000 kilometres from New York State to the coast of Brazil.