The Dorsal Fin

Boston’s NECN is reporting that three Chatham beaches have been closed indefinitely after beachgoers witnessed a white shark (Carcharodon carcharias) preying on a harbor seal (Phoca vitulina) “close to beach.” The three beaches closed are North Beach, North Beach Island and South Beach are closed to swimming. A swimming ban from 5pm to 9:30am still remains in effect for Chatham’s Lighthouse Beach.

Boston’s WHDH reports that swimmers have been warned to stay at least 300′ away from seal colonies. The large seal population in the area is believed to be responsible for the increase in white shark sightings over recent years, as the seals are a natural prey item for the shark.

The warning comes after multiple credible white shark sightings were reported in the area over the past week, as well as reports of seal carcass sightings.

It’s that time of year again in New England. MyFoxBoston.com is reporting that a 10′ great white shark was sighted off of Chatham, Massachusetts. This marks the 4th sighting in the area since the beginning of last week.

The Chatham Harbormaster confirmed the sighting and said the shark is where he “expected” a white shark would be. The shark was spotted off Monomoy Point, about 200-300 yards from the southernmost tip of Chatham.

Large seal populations have been drawing white sharks to the area during the summer months for a number of years.

NECN.com is reporting that three great white shark (Carcharodon carcharias) sightings have been reported in the Cape Cod area, including two sightings off Chatham, Massachusetts. NECN also reports that interest in the sharks has resulted in an increase in tourism in the area. Tourists are visiting Cape Cod beaches in hopes of catching a glimpse of a white shark. Local businesses have been trying to capitalize on the interest in the sharks by carrying shark-related products.

All in all a fairly objective report on the great white shark presence in Cape Cod, if you ignore the cliché “Jaws” reference from the anchorwoman.

Great white sharks are expected to return to Cape Cod waters as early as mid-June.

TheBostonChannel.com is reporting that great white sharks are expected to return to the Chatham, Massachusetts area as early as mid-June. The sharks are drawn to the area by an abundant seal population during the summer months when water temperatures hit the mid-60° F range.

Data from white sharks tagged in Chatham waters over the past two years has shown that the sharks tend to stay in the area until early fall, at which point they travel directly to Florida waters “without spending a lot of time in between.” Skomal hopes to tag more white sharks this summer with the goal of learning more about their movement patterns and behavior.