Watch: Shark spotted feeding on fish near a paddling swimmer
A swimmer was spotted getting close to a fish bait that attracted a hunting shark in Amagansett, New York.
There have been regular sightings of white sharks this summerA 14-foot white shark was seen in Cape Cod Bay on July 16People can keep up with any great white activity via the Atlantic White Shark Conservancy’s Sharktivity app
The 50th anniversary of the classic film “Jaws” may have passed on June 20, but the reality is that real sharks are still swimming around in local waters.
The movie about a man-eating shark, directed by Steven Spielberg, was released in 1975. It was filmed on Martha’s Vineyard from May through October 1974.
But recent shark sightings aren’t part of any movie.
They are real, and people need to be wary of any warnings that come up on area beaches.
“This is the time of year when we like to remind people to be ‘shark smart’ as white sharks return to the inshore waters of New England, where they’ll hunt seals and other prey through the summer and into the fall,” John Chisholm, an adjunct scientist in the aquarium’s Anderson Cabot Center for Ocean Life, said earlier this summer.
Here’s what to know.
Where have sharks been seen in Massachusetts this summer?
The first great white shark of the season was spotted off the coast of Massachusetts near the western end of Nantucket back in May, according to the New England Aquarium.
“The New England Aquarium is urging the public to be aware of their surroundings and report shark sightings after the first white shark of the season was confirmed in Massachusetts waters,” a release on the incident stated at the time.
On the Fourth of July, while many people were out watching fireworks and enjoying the holiday festivities, one white shark was spotted near Woods Hole at 8:04 p.m.
What are some of the latest sightings?
According to the Sharktivity app:
July 10, 10:40 a.m. A white shark was seen near Woods Hole.July 14, 11:19 a.m. A fishing boat spotted a white shark east of South Monomoy Island. The shark apparently “devoured” a striper 10 feet off the stern of the boat.July 15, 2:36 p.m. A white shark was seen 40 yards off North Beach Island in Chatham. A white shark was also spotted in that same area at 3:38 p.m. the same day.July 16, 2:20 p.m. A 14-foot white shark was seen in Cape Cod Bay.What does it mean to be ‘shark smart?’
Chisolm explained that “Shark smart,” means “being aware of sharks’ presence in shallow waters, avoiding areas where seals are present or schools of fish are visible, and staying close to shore where emergency responders can reach you if needed.”
How can people keep track of great white sightings?
People can keep up with any great white activity via the Atlantic White Shark Conservancy’s Sharktivity app, which “provides information and push notifications on white shark sightings, detections, and movements to raise awareness and help people and sharks co-exist.”