London, Nov 10 (ANI): Scientists have used satellite tagging to reveal that the male and female species of the Great white shark travel together to spend six months at an isolated spot, an act which may be linked to courtship.

According to a report in the Telegraph, the sharks travel huge distances and mysteriously spend up to six months gathered at an isolated spot in the Pacific Ocean between California and Hawaii.

The stretch of ocean the sharks make for, from both California and Mexico, is not a particularly rich feeding ground, but it may act as a singles bar, where they can find a mate.

There is something going on there but as yet we dont know, said marine biologist Professor Ron ODor. Maybe, its just a good place to pick up girl sharks, he added.

The shark mystery is one of thousands to emerge from an ambitious attempt to compile the first comprehensive survey of life in the worlds oceans.

Known as the Census of Marine Life, a 10-year project, it will summarize everything known about all forms of life in the sea.

Involving more than 2,000 scientists from 82 nations, it is due to be published in 2010 forming an online encyclopedia of all old and new creatures with a web page for every species.

Once completed, it will represent a milestone in science, according to Ian Poiner, chair of the Censuss International Scientific Steering Committee.

There is likely to be up to 250,000 marine species listed showing numbers, distribution and location with maps indicating hotspots for species and the extent of biodiversity in the oceans.
After 10 years of new global research and information assembly by thousands of experts the world over, it will synthesize what humankind knows about the oceans, what we dont know, and what we may never know - a scientific achievement of historic proportions, he said. (ANI)