Elliot Kim
Nantucket is an island in Massachusetts in the Atlantic Ocean, south of Cape Cod. In recent years, there has been a surge in the number of great white sharks in the area. In July 2023, swimming was banned in parts of Nantucket Island after great whites were seen attacking and killing seals close to the shore. The great white shark population in the region is thought to be increasing due to the recovery of local grey seal populations, their primary food source. Sightings of great whites in Nantucket mostly occur from June to October when water temperatures rise above their preferred minimum of 12°C (53.6°F).
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location | Nantucket Sound, Massachusetts |
| Great White Shark Population | High density during summer months |
| Great White Shark Sightings | Common from June to October |
| Water Temperature | Above 12°C (53.6°F) during shark season |
| Prey | Harbor and grey seals |
| Shark Size | 8'1" (2.46 meters) long, weighing 338 lbs (153 kg) |
| Shark Behavior | Investigating nature, test biting |
| Swimming Status | Banned in certain areas due to shark activity |
| Shark Tracking | Sharktivity App, plane spotting, tagging |
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What You'll Learn
Great white sharks are a common occurrence in Nantucket Sound
Great white sharks are attracted to the area due to the abundance of harbour and grey seals, their primary food source. The seal population has increased since they were protected under the US Marine Mammal Protection Act, leading to a subsequent rise in great white shark numbers. A study published in the journal Marine Ecology Progress Series estimated that there could have been over 500 sharks in the waters off Cape Cod in September 2018 alone, with the number potentially reaching as high as 1,286 during the study period.
The presence of great white sharks in Nantucket Sound has resulted in swimming bans in certain areas. In July 2023, swimming was prohibited near Great Point and the Nantucket National Wildlife Refuge after sharks were seen attacking and killing seals close to the shore.
Great white sharks are typically found in Nantucket Sound from June to October when water temperatures rise above their preferred minimum of 12°C (53.6°F). While they generally prefer cooler waters, and the Sound is relatively shallow and warmer, it is not uncommon for some stray sharks to enter these waters.
Despite the presence of great white sharks in the area, shark attacks are extremely rare, and no such incidents have ever occurred in Nantucket.
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The best time to spot great whites is from June to October
Great white sharks are indeed present in Nantucket Sound, an area where the Sound and the Atlantic Ocean merge. The best time to spot these magnificent creatures is from June to October, when the waters warm to their preferred temperature of over 12°C (53.6°F).
During these months, great whites are drawn to the area to feed on the abundance of harbour and grey seals. The seal population has increased in recent years, thanks to protection under the US Marine Mammal Protection Act, providing a plentiful food source for the sharks. As a result, great white shark sightings have become more frequent in Nantucket Sound and the surrounding areas.
The presence of great white sharks in Nantucket Sound has been well-documented, with multiple sightings and even attacks on seals reported near the shore. In July 2023, swimming was banned in certain areas of Nantucket Island due to the presence of great white sharks. Shark experts advise the public to be "shark smart," which includes being aware of their presence in shallow waters and avoiding areas with visible seals or schools of fish.
The Atlantic White Shark Conservancy's Sharktivity app is a valuable resource for both the public and researchers. It allows users to report and stay informed about shark sightings, detections, and movements, helping to raise awareness and promote coexistence between humans and sharks.
While great white sharks are a protected species, their presence in Nantucket Sound and the surrounding areas highlights the success of conservation efforts. The waters off Cape Cod are estimated to host one of the largest great white shark populations in the world during the summer months, with numbers peaking in September 2018.
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Great whites are attracted to the growing seal population in Nantucket
Great white sharks have been spotted in Nantucket Sound, an area where the Atlantic Ocean and Nantucket Sound meet. The best time to see great white sharks in this region is from June to October when water temperatures rise above their preferred minimum of 12°C (53.6°F).
Great white sharks are attracted to the growing seal population in Nantucket. Seals are the major prey species for great whites, and as the seal population increases, so does the great white shark population. The recovery of the local grey seal population, a primary food source for the sharks, has led to an increase in sightings of great whites near Nantucket.
Great whites have been seen attacking and killing seals very close to the shore, prompting officials to ban swimming in certain areas. In one instance, a plane spotted nine great white sharks in the area, leading to a swimming ban at Great Point and the Nantucket National Wildlife Refuge.
The presence of great white sharks in Nantucket is also attributed to the protection of these species under federal and state laws, allowing them to thrive along the East Coast, from Canada to Florida. Conservation efforts focused on great white sharks have contributed to their success, as populations were previously vulnerable to overexploitation.
While shark attacks are rare, it is important to be "shark smart" when in the water. This includes being aware of their presence in shallow waters, avoiding areas with seals or schools of fish, and staying close to the shore to ensure quick emergency response if needed.
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Shark sightings are recorded on the Sharktivity app
The Sharktivity app allows users to submit their own sightings by uploading photos and details, contributing to research and conservation efforts. These public sightings are then verified by the New England Aquarium. The app also includes various widgets, such as the home screen widgets available to Pro users, that provide information on recent shark activity.
The map on the app can be filtered based on different types of shark activity and the time period of events displayed. Users can also monitor shark detections through the use of different icons. For instance, an orange shark fin icon indicates an unconfirmed sighting, while a purple icon represents a real-time detection of a shark tagged with an acoustic tag that is less than an hour old.
The Sharktivity app is a valuable tool for those visiting or living in areas with shark activity, such as Cape Cod and Nantucket Sound. Nantucket, an island in Massachusetts located south of Cape Cod, experiences the presence of great white sharks, especially from June to October when water temperatures rise above their preferred minimum of 12°C (53.6°F). The app helps users stay informed about shark activity in their area, promoting peaceful coexistence between humans and sharks.
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There is no cause for alarm as shark attacks are rare
There have been numerous sightings of great white sharks in Nantucket Sound in recent years. In 2023, a plane spotted nine great whites in the area, leading to a temporary swimming ban on Nantucket Island. The sharks were seen attacking and killing seals "very close to the shore", with four seals killed near the shore in just a few days.
Despite these worrying incidents, there is indeed no cause for undue alarm. Shark attacks are extremely rare, and no shark attacks have ever occurred on Nantucket. In fact, sharks cause fewer deaths annually than lightning strikes or dog attacks.
The presence of great white sharks in Nantucket can be attributed to the growing population of harbour and grey seals in the area. Great whites are a protected species, and their numbers have increased due to the US Marine Mammal Protection Act, which also protects seals. The sharks are attracted to Nantucket from June to October when the waters warm to their preferred temperature of above 12°C (53.6°F).
While it is important to be cautious and follow safety guidelines, such as avoiding areas with visible seals or schools of fish, it is unlikely that a shark would target a human. As great white shark expert Chisholm notes, "We're not on their menu... but it doesn't mean they won't investigate."
To mitigate the risk of shark encounters, Nantucket officials have implemented measures such as swimming bans and the Atlantic White Shark Conservancy's Sharktivity app, which provides real-time information on shark sightings and movements. These tools help raise awareness and enable people and sharks to coexist safely.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, great white sharks are in Nantucket Sound, mostly from June to October when the waters warm to over 12°C (53.6°F).
Great white sharks are attracted to the area by the large numbers of harbour and grey seals, their primary food source. The seal population has increased since they were protected by law under the US Marine Mammal Protection Act.
There is no exact number, but a study estimated that as many as 1,286 great white sharks could have spent time near Cape Cod over a four-year period.
Swimming has been banned in some areas of Nantucket Island due to great white sharks being sighted very close to the shore. However, shark attacks are extremely rare, and none have ever occurred on Nantucket.
