(WFSB) – Sandbar sharks are turning up in Long Island Sound in growing numbers this summer, and local fishermen are noticing.
The species, also known as brown sharks, are drawn to warm water and striped bass — a combination that’s putting them in direct contact with anglers across the region.
“These sandbar sharks right now seem to be everywhere,” said Jon Dodd, executive director of the Atlantic Shark Institute.
Ryan Tierney, who livestreams his fishing trips on his YouTube channel Salt Works Bay, had a close encounter while out on his kayak. “It came up, ripped the fish off the line, bumped the kayak, shook me up a little bit,” he said.
Tierney targets striped bass — the same fish sandbar sharks are after. He’s not alone in losing his catch.
“As a kid, we’d have one fish get eaten by a shark a year,” said Michael Wadsworth, a fourth-generation fisherman who runs Lady Jo Fishing Charters. “This year, it’s every trip.”
Wadsworth said he’s seeing the sharks in Niantic Bay.
“Seven, 8-foot sharks. Big sharks for in here. Are they people eaters? No, but still scary if they swim between your legs,” he said.
Dodd said the uptick isn’t fully understood, but conditions appear to be favorable. “We’re not exactly sure, but we know the water temperatures are ideal for these sharks, and the striped bass numbers are very healthy,” he said.
Dodd added that sandbar shark attacks on humans are very rare and that the species prefers fish. He also noted other shark species are appearing in the Sound, describing the habitat as ideal. “It loves river mouths, it loves muddy water — this is their environment,” he said.
Sandbar sharks are a protected species. Fishermen cannot target them.
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