Great white sharks and other mesothermic marine species face an evolutionary paradox as oceans warm. These apex predators maintain body temperatures warmer than surrounding seawater, an advantage that now threatens their survival. A new study in Science reveals that these species confront potentially fatal overheating as climate change drives ocean temperatures upward.

Mesothermic species experience a "double jeopardy" of rising temperatures and declining food supplies. These animals burn nearly four times as much energy as cold-blooded counterparts, requiring more fuel to maintain their temperature. As waters climb, one-ton warm-bodied sharks may struggle to survive in temperatures above 62.6°F (17°C) without countermeasures like relocating to cooler depths.

While thermal stress increases vulnerability, overfishing remains the most acute threat to these species. "If we had to say what is the one thing that we need to urgently address for these animals, it's the fishing problem," said lead researcher Nick Payne. Conservation efforts must address both climate change and fishing practices to protect these apex predators.