Shark sightings lead to more warnings on the Cape

CHATHAM, Mass. -- Trouble was spotted lurking off the shores of Cape Cod over the weekend and on Wednesday officials issued a new warning for swimmers.

No beaches have been closed at this point, but after several confirmed shark sightings officials want people to be on alert.

Over the weekend, six great white sharks were spotted by airplane, eight were spotted by boats. One sighting occurred just 50 yards off South Beach in Chatham.

“That’s too close for me,” said a family on vacation.

“We came down here to see if we could see any sharks,” said George Marino. “Jaws is one of my favorite movies.”

George’s son Michael Marino wore a shirt with a shark bite on it to the beach.

“I would like to see [a great white shark] one day,” said Michael.

The thrill of spotting one of the creatures may sound good to the children.

“That’s in nature and not in the aquarium or in a picture,” said Abby Marino.

But their mother wasn’t as excited about the possible encounter. Other beach goers are taking the advice of officials and paying attention to the advisory issued at the start of the month that told beach-goers to stay away from the seals that great white sharks hunt.

“I’m not afraid of the sharks,” said Tim Right. “I don’t go out that deep.”

Officials with the New England Aquarium said protective measures put in place for the seals led to a spike in their population, which in turn led to the increased number of shark sightings. The seals are bringing the sharks closer to shore.

The sharks will typically stick around the area until fall, but stay as late as October.

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