Taggers return to Chatham waters in search of sharks

CHATHAM, Mass. (WHDH) -- Taggers from the department of wildlife and fisheries returned to the waters off the Cape in search of great white sharks Wednesday.

Taggers spotted a couple of sharks but were unable to tag them.

State marine biologist Greg Skomal was on the shark watch off Monomoy Island after tagging two great whites in two days.

“It’s hit or miss when we go out and try and tag, Even if we find a shark, we don’t always get to tag it,” said Greg Skomal, state marine biologist.

The crew on board the Cape Cod shark hunters’ boat “EZYDUZIT” was ready to tag any sharks they came across.

Captain Bill said seeing a great white is pretty amazing.

“At 43 years tuna fishing and I’ve only seen a great white probably two times -- two of three times, and now we’re seeing them every day out here,” said Captain Bill Chaprales, Cape Cod shark hunters.

Experts say tagging with pop-up satellites allow them to monitor the sharks’ habits and patterns like how far they travel and their movements with the tides.

“We’re trying to learn as much as we can about these animals so we can not only provide really good information to beach managers, but also that swimmers and folks who like to come to Cape Cod can feel comfortable,” Skomal said.

Experts say keeping track of the sharks is a group effort.

“You know, you see a shark, take a picture of it, provide it to us. We’ll help you identify what kind it is. It also lets us gather information ‘cause as much as I’d like to be on the water all the day every day, I’m not,” Skomal said.