The Mississippi River Sharks
The Mississippi River may be home to several species of sharks. While the river’s warm, silty waters are not ideal for shark life, some species have adapted and been known to inhabit the long waterway, making them one of the few true freshwater sharks in the world.
The most common type of shark in the Mississippi River is the Bull Shark. These sharks are quite formidable, and known to be quite aggressive. They are greyish in color with a wide, blunt snout and strong jaws. They can grow up to 11.5 feet (3.5 meters) long and weigh up to 500 pounds (227 kilograms). They are the only species of shark besides the great white shark known to inhabit freshwater.
Bulls sharks were first spotted in the Mississippi River during an underwater survey near the southwest end of the river in Louisiana back in the early 1960s. Since then, they have been spotted as far North as Iowa, although in much less significant numbers. In the South, Bull Sharks have typically been found in the Lower Mississippi River and around the Gulf of Mexico.
Along with Bull Sharks, there has been evidence of other species of sharks in the Mississippi River. Along the Northeastern end of the river, in areas like Wisconsin and Michigan, there have been sightings of Lake Sturgeon, and possibly Smooth Dogfish. Lake Sturgeon can grow up to 10 feet (3 meters) long and can weigh up to 300 pounds (136 kilograms). The Smooth Dogfish is a small, blunt-nosed shark that can grow up to 4.9 feet (1.5 meters) in length and can weigh up to 11 pounds (5 kilograms).
Many experts believe that the shark population in the Mississippi River is much lower than elsewhere due to the river being heavily polluted with agricultural runoff and chemical runoff from industrial plants. The quality of the water can have a detrimental effect on the population of any given species, as low oxygen levels combined with chemical pollution can harm their systems. In recent years, efforts have been made to improve the water quality of the Mississippi River, including restrictions on the dumping of chemicals, reducing agricultural runoff and investing in water treatment plants.
Shark Behavior in the Mississippi River
Despite the poor water quality, shark behavior within the river has been documented through the years. Typically, sharks in the Mississippi River, especially Bull Sharks, will congregate in areas with deeper waters. They tend to feed either on smaller animals and birds, or on bottom-dwelling fish. In the Upper Mississippi River, Bull Sharks are generally non-aggressive and non-threatening. However, in the deeper areas of the Lower Mississippi River, the Bull Shark population can become more aggressive, especially when they cannot find enough food.
In addition to the Bull Shark, experts believe that the Lake Sturgeon and Smooth Dogfish populations are also quite large in the Upper Mississippi, although there is no reliable data available. Experts have also noted that Tropical Sharks have been known to migrate from the Gulf of Mexico, though these sightings have been rare.
Effects of Sharks on Local Wildlife
The presence of shark populations in the Mississippi River does not have a significant negative effect on the local wildlife. While Bull Sharks are known to hunt other fish, their population is not large enough to cause any serious damage to the ecosystem. With their presence, fish populations in the Mississippi have remained relatively stable. The Lake Sturgeon and Smooth Dogfish have little to no impact on the local ecosystem and tend to feed off smaller fish and bugs.
Tropical Shark sightings are rare, and their presence as a migratory species is not seen as a significant threat. However, should their populations grow in the future this may be something experts would want to monitor closely.
Safety and Risk of Shark Attacks
The presence of sharks in the Mississippi River may cause some individuals to worry about their safety while in the water. Thankfully, shark attacks remain incredibly rare and isolated incidents. The majority of sharks spotted in the river are Bull Sharks, which can become aggressive in certain conditions but are rarely known to attack humans. In addition, the Bull Shark population in the Mississippi River is relatively small, making the risk of being attacked even lower.
In areas near the Gulf of Mexico, there may be an increased risk of a shark attack, especially for those engaging in recreational activities such as swimming and surfing. However, the risk remains extremely low. As such, it should be noted that the majority of people who interact with the Mississippi River do not have to worry about shark attacks or shark-related incidents.
Summary of Findings
The Mississippi River has a diverse array of shark species, with the most common being the Bull Shark. While their population has fluctuated in the past due to changes in water quality, their presence in the river has been documented since the 1960s. Although Bull Sharks can become aggressive in certain conditions, the risk of a shark attack remains incredibly low.
In addition to the Bull Shark, experts believe there are likely other species of shark in the river, such as the Lake Sturgeon and Smooth Dogfish. These species tend to be docile and non-threatening, and their presence in the Mississippi River is seen as a positive, as they tend to have little to no effect on the local ecosystem.
Habitats of Sharks in the Mississippi River
Bull Sharks are the most common species of shark found in the Mississippi River, and as such, their habitats have been extensively studied. Bull Sharks can be found in both the deeper, sand-filled areas of the river, as well as the muddy and shallow areas. In the Lower Mississippi in particular, Bull Sharks have been known to migrate to deeper waters during the winter. Experts believe this is due to their body temperature needing to stay consistent, and the deeper waters allow for this.
Lake Sturgeon and Smooth Dogfish are another species of shark found in the Mississippi River. While the behavior of these species is yet to be studied, they tend to feed on smaller species such as small fish and bottom-dwelling invertebrates. As such, they tend to inhabit the shallower, warmer sections of the river. While Bull Sharks can be found in rivers much further North, these species have only been seen in the Upper Midwest section of the Mississippi, possibly due to their preference for warmer waters.
Conservation of Sharks in the Mississippi
The conservation of sharks in the Mississippi River has been one of the most important topics in recent years. While shark populations in some areas of the world have dwindled due to overfishing, Mississippi’s shark populations have remained relatively stable.
The main threat to Mississippi’s shark populations are changes in water quality. In particular, the pollution of industrial and agricultural runoff has been a worry, as these can significantly reduce oxygen levels and cause harm to the shark’s health. Efforts have been made to reduce the amounts of chemicals being released into the river, as well as investing in water treatment plants to reduce the impacts of runoff.
Another concern for shark conservation in the Mississippi River is the potential for overfishing. While fishing for sharks is highly regulated, and for the most part, illegal in the river, the introduction of recreational fishing in certain areas has led to a small number of fishermen engaging in shark catches.
Protection of Humans from Sharks in the Mississippi River
The safety of humans in the Mississippi River has also been a topic of discussion for some time. Even though shark attacks are incredibly rare, the presence of sharks in the river can put many individuals off from venturing in it.
Thankfully, there are steps that can be taken by both individuals and communities to reduce the risk of sharks attacks in the Mississippi River. For individuals engaging in activities such as swimming or surfing, it is important to stay vigilant and on the lookout for any signs of shark activity. Additionally, if there is an increased presence of sharks in the area, it is best to stay out of the water as much as possible.
For communities living near the Mississippi River, measures can also be taken to reduce the risk of shark attacks. Governments can work with local fishermen to reduce fishing activities near the mouths of the rivers, and also invest in public information campaigns that can educate the local public on safe shark behavior.
Conclusion
Overall, the presence of sharks in the Mississippi River has been small but significant. While their populations have fluctuated in the past due to changes in water quality, recent efforts to reduce runoff and improve water quality have led to an increase in shark populations.
Though there is always a risk of shark attacks, the risk is incredibly small, and there are steps that individuals and communities can take to reduce the likelihood of an attack. By continuing to strive to improve water quality while protecting shark populations, it is possible to keep both humans and sharks safe in the Mississippi River.
