Beach-goers at popular holiday spot warned about record numbers of sharks

15 August 2023 , 22:23

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Despite the rarity of shark attacks, according to researchers, shark safety and education programs are essential to the public. (Image: Getty Images/AP)

A first-of-its-kind study marks the first instance of scientists determining "white shark abundance" in the North Atlantic Ocean - specifically at a popular Massachusetts holiday destination known for its beaches.

The study, conducted by the Atlantic White Shark Conservancy, UMass Dartmouth and the Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries, found that about 800 great white sharks visited Cape Cod between 2015 to 2018.

The numbers collected are reportedly "comparable but larger than" previous estimates of white shark populations in central California, South Africa, South Australia and Guadalupe Island in Mexico. Researchers identified 393 individual white sharks from Cape Cod alone.

Despite the rarity of shark attacks, according to researchers who took more than 300 videos of sharks during their 137 visits to the holiday area, shark safety and education programs are essential to the public.

The Cape Cod National Seashore is making the proper safety precautions to prevent any possible mishaps. (Getty Images/Image Source)

According to Leslie Reynolds, deputy superintendent for the Cape Cod National Seashore, there was only one fatal shark encounter in 2018. However, the CCNS is making the proper safety precautions to prevent any possible mishaps.

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Her organization, along with the Massachusetts Department of Marine Fisheries and The Atlantic White Shark Conservancy, has issued safety measures such as new beach signs, a flag warning system, training on how to stop a victim’s bleeding, and public outreach and education about shark threats according to Scientific American, an American popular science magazine.

Other findings show that the shark population tends to inflate between the late summer and early fall months when ocean temperatures are at their warmest. (Getty Images)

Other findings show that the shark population tends to inflate between the late summer and early fall months when ocean temperatures are at their warmest. As researchers anticipate "dozens of hundreds" of white sharks to visit Cape Cod this season, scientists with the New England Aquarium urge beach-goers to report any sightings of sharks through the Sharktivity app, which is available for Android and IOS devices. Massachusetts shark researcher Greg Skomal issued a statement stating:

"Their movements are very dynamic, they trickle in and out," he said. "Some white sharks simply stop by on their way north while others spend more time along the Cape, likely because they have success feeding on seals."

scientists with the New England Aquarium urge beach-goers to report any sightings of sharks through the Sharktivity app, which is available for Android and IOS devices. (AFP via Getty Images)

Experts say that white sharks are returning to the shores because of the grey seal population bouncing back. By 2017, about 30,000 grey seals were reportedly around Cape Cod. The sharks were likely drawn to the Cape by the scent of the seals, which remain the white shark's favourite meal during migration

Scientific American reported that the influx of great white sharks in Cape Cod has taken everyone by surprise, including marine biologists. Mr. Skomal said he hadn't seen a white shark around the Cape Cod area until 2004 adding that he didn't tag his first one until five years later in 2009.

Mataeo Smith