Marine scientists have claimed that baby great white sharks stay close to the shore because there is more food and they have refuge from predators, in findings that give new insights into conservation efforts and public safety.

Published in Frontiers in Marine Science, the study marks the first comprehensive investigation into the habitat selection of juvenile great white sharks.

Conducted off Padaro Beach near Santa Barbara in central California, the researchers found the existence of unique nursery areas where young sharks congregate, providing vital insights into their early life stages.

Led by senior author Dr Christopher Lowe, a professor at California State University, the study involved tagging 22 juvenile great white sharks aged between one and six years old with sensor-transmitters.

These devices tracked the sharks' movements in real-time and revealed their preference for warm and shallow waters within one kilometer of the shore.

According to first author Emily Spurgeon, the juveniles exhibited a distinct behaviour of adjusting their vertical position in the water column to maintain an optimal temperature range between 16 and 22 degrees Celsius.

They said this behaviour, which is observed primarily during dawn and dusk foraging periods, suggests a strategic adaptation to maximize growth efficiency within the nursery habitat.

Furthermore, they claimed the study highlights the dynamic nature of the nursery environment, where temperature fluctuations necessitate constant movement by the juvenile sharks to remain within their preferred temperature range.

While the exact benefits of nursery aggregation remain unclear, scientists speculated that it may serve as a refuge from predators and provide access to abundant food resources.