Great White Sharks Patrolling Cape Cod

Over the past few years, there’s been tons of evidence and sightings that points to great white sharks patrolling Cape Cod.

Why Are Great White Sharks Patrolling Cape Cod?

Some of you may ask what are the sharks doing there? They are hunting harbor and grey seals, not people.

Are great white sharks in Cape Cod a danger to humans?

Yes. There have been a few bites over the past few years with one fatality in the summer of 2018.

Great white sharks are so massive and powerful that even one mistaken bite can cause a serious injury and massive blood loss.

While the number of great white sharks around Cape Cod has increased significantly over the years, there has been relatively few shark attacks on humans. That’s pretty amazing given the number of bathers in the water during the summer months.

Authorities around Cape Cod have taken the presence of great white sharks seriously. They are trying to strike the right balance with public safety on the one hand, with shark conservation on the other.

Achieving that balance is no easy task. So they’ve launched a massive public awareness campaign in addition to shark watchers and extra emergency personnel on hand in case of a shark incident.

How to Avoid a Shark Attack

What can you do to stay safe in the water this summer? Here are some tips to avoid shark attacks from the Florida Museum:

1. Always swim in a group. Sharks most often attack lone individuals.

2. Don’t wander too far from shore. Doing so isolates you and places you away from assistance.

3. Avoid the water at night, dawn, or dusk. Many sharks are most active at these times and are better able to find you than you are to see them.

4. Don’t enter the water if bleeding. Sharks can smell and taste blood, and trace it back to its source.

5. Don’t wear shiny jewelry. The reflected light looks like shining fish scales.

6. Don’t go into waters containing sewage. Sewage attracts bait fishes, which in turn attract sharks.

7. Avoid waters being fished and those with lots of bait fishes. Diving seabirds are good indicators of such activities.

8. Don’t enter the water if sharks are present. Leave immediately if sharks are seen.

9. Avoid an uneven tan and brightly colored clothing. Sharks see contrast particularly well, so use extra caution when waters are cloudy.

10. Don’t splash a lot. Also, keep pets out of the water. Erratic movements can attract sharks.

11. Use care near sandbars or steep drop-offs. These are favorite hangouts for sharks.

12. Don’t relax just because porpoises are nearby. Sightings of porpoises do not indicate the absence of sharks. Both often eat the same foods.

13. Don’t try to touch a shark if you see one!

14. If attacked by a shark, the general rule is “Do whatever it takes to get away!” Some people have successfully chosen to be aggressive, others passive. Some yelled underwater, others blew bubbles.

If you’re swimming around Cape Cod I would add: Avoid areas where there are seals and if you see a seal in the water near you get out!

Where are the Sharks on Cape Cod?

Here’s a link to a great interactive map about shark sightings on Cape Cod from 2018. I would expect to see a similar map of sightings for summer 2019 and beyond.

You can also follow researchers like OCEARCH and the Atlantic White Shark Conservancy to see where they’re tracking these sharks.

Oh and for all you Atlantic Canadians out there, great white sharks are also visiting your coast as well. Wanna know more? Check out my article on Great White Sharks in Canada.

Thanks for reading this article on Great White Sharks Patrolling Cape Cod.

For some cool pictures check out my post on Great White Sharks.