CHATHAM – An effort to study possible shark solutions on the Outer Cape is getting closer to receiving funding.
The Woods Hole Group has proposed a nearly $50,000 study to investigate possible shark mitigation efforts that could be used this summer, including improved communications, other technologies, barriers and biological options.
The cost of the study would be shared between the five Outer Cape towns of Chatham, Orleans, Wellfleet, Truro and Provincetown, the Cape Cod National Seashore and the Atlantic White Shark Conservancy.
Each town and organization would be asked to contribute $6,244 to pay for the study.
The proposed study follows an Outer Cape summer which saw two shark attacks, one of which resulted in a fatality.
In August, a New York man was attacked off Truro and is recovering.
A Revere man was fatally attacked in September off Newcomb Hollow Beach in Wellfleet.
Chatham Selectmen voted unanimously this week to take part.
“I like the idea that this is a regional approach,” said Chatham Selectman Shareen Davis.
“I think any decisions that we make going forward should be science-based.”
Selectman Jeffrey Dykens echoed the thoughts of Davis.
“I agree that I think science based research is warranted here and I also agree that selectman Davis in the notion that there needs to be a regional solution to a very daunting problem,” he said.
Selectman Dean Nicastro would also want to the scope of biological solutions for the shark and seal populations in the study go beyond culling and include contraception.
Wellfleet, Truro, and Orleans will also participate and Provincetown is also interested. The towns of Truro, Orleans and Provincetown are seeking a source for funding their portion of the study.
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