A shark is seen swimming throughout a sand bar on Aug. 13, 2021, from a shark watch with Dragonfly Sportfishing charters, off the Massachusetts’ coast of Cape Cod. Megan Winton, of the Atlantic White Shark Conservancy, stated Wednesday, June 29, 2022, that July is when white sharks seem in earnest, with sightings peaking from August by way of October. Credit: AP Photo/Phil Marcelo, File
Great white shark researchers on Cape Cod are reminding guests that hotter climate alerts not simply the beginning of the busy vacationer season, but additionally the arrival of the area’s well-known predators.
July tends to be when nice whites seem in earnest because the cape’s waters heat, with sightings peaking from August by way of October, Megan Winton, a scientist with the Atlantic White Shark Conservancy, stated throughout a information convention on the group’s workplaces in Chatham on Wednesday.
“Just know that enormous sharks are right here,” she stated. “They’re a relentless presence from June to the autumn.”
An important white sighting compelled the momentary closure of Head of the Meadow Beach in Truro on Tuesday.
Greg Skomal, a state marine biologist who has been finding out the area’s nice whites for many years, stated the animals nonetheless are typically focused on the Atlantic Ocean-facing facet of the cape, the place they feast on a flourishing seal inhabitants.
He suggested beachgoers to be most vigilant when swimming off seashores the place the shoreline shortly drops off into deeper waters.
“Sharks will come near the shore once they have water depth,” Skomal stated.
Since 2009, researchers have tagged greater than 280 nice whites off the cape, with almost 230 of these tags nonetheless energetic and sending again information about shark actions, in line with the scientists.
Skomal and Winton have spent years finding out white shark migration and searching conduct. They say the continued analysis has helped improve seaside security by giving native officers and beachgoers alike a greater understanding of the place nice whites have a tendency to seem, in addition to what instances of the day they are typically most energetic.
Skomal says there’s been a marked change in beachgoer conduct for the reason that area noticed two shark assaults on people—one among them deadly—in 2018.
Many are more and more holding nearer to shore once they swim, with others not venturing into the waters in any respect, he stated.
“It’s a conservation success story when it comes to sharks and seals,” Winton stated. “At the identical time, this is a crucial place for individuals to recreate, so it is vital to search out methods to coexist.”
New research to look at feeding habits of Cape Cod nice whites
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Researchers warning beachgoers forward of white shark season (2022, June 29)
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