Shark sightings off Cape spark warning

CHATHAM, Mass. -- A new warning was issued to swimmers off the coast of the Cape after officials tagged the first great white shark of the summer on Tuesday.

All beachgoers are prohibited from swimming at least 300 feet of observed seals after the shark was tagged off South Beach in Chatham.

"No, I haven't seen any sharks and we won't go out on the boat anymore though, out in Monomoy, because we used to go see the seals and we're kind of afraid now," said Sheila Eldredge, a beachgoer.

The shark tagged off Chatham on Tuesday was 12-14 feet long, nearly 100 yards off shore and was one of four great whites spotted from the sky.

“For some reason, he decides to come up within two or three or four feet from the surface, and we’ve got to get right in there to get the tag before he goes back down again,” said Bill Chaprales, who tagged the great white shark.

Tagging the shark was part of a long-term mission to see where the sharks are going, and a short-term mission to see where they are.

Officials said seals are attracting the sharks, and bringing them dangerously close to Cape beaches.

"It's certainly a high priority item on their diet...In any case, you want to use extreme caution when the seals are there. Keep away from the seals and your likely keeping away from the sharks," said Director of Dept. of Marine Fishery Paul Diodati.

So far, the sharks are proving to be less of a fear factor and more of a tourist attraction.

"It's exciting. My kids would love to see the sharks," Katherine Worden, a beachgoer.

Norman St. Pierre has been a spotter pilot for three decades on the Cape. Soon after taking 7NEWS up to the sky on Wednesday, St. Pierre and 7's Steve Cooper spotted a great white shark in the water.

"You get a whole different perspective up here, and it's much more of an adventure up here than it is in a boat because you get to see everything," said St. Pierre.

There have been several reports of sharks spotted over the past few weeks throughout Southern Massachusetts, and Marina Experts are anticipating more reports along Chatham’s barrier beaches.

Beachgoers are advised to be cautious.

“When you swim, stay close into shore, don’t get too far out so that you can get back in quickly if there is anything,” said Deputy Harbormaster John Randon.

The seals are top prey for sharks, and part of the reason the Cape is seeing so many of them this year.

No beaches have been closed; however, beachgoers are being cautioned not to venture too far off shore.

The Harbormaster said that if more sharks are sighted, they will determine whether or not to close the beaches.

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