WELLFLEET – A new photo snapped by researchers with the Atlantic White Shark Conservancy shows that great white shark activity continues off the coast of Cape Cod.
The organization tweeted an aerial photo of a shark swimming near surfers on Thursday at Lecount Hollow Beach in Wellfleet.
Last week, a paddleboarder had a close encounter with a great white in the waters of Nauset Beach in Orleans. A drone operator captured the man paddleboarding just feet away from the animal.
With the recent activity, researchers are stressing shark safety tips.
Great white sharks prey upon seals in the waters off Cape Cod and the South Shore, and while encounters with humans are rare they can happen.
President of the Atlantic White Shark Conservancy Cynthia Wigren says swimmers and paddle craft users should stay away from seals, stay in groups, avoid going in the water at dawn or dusk, limit splashing and remove shiny jewelry.
“A big thing is to pay attention to signs that are up at beaches, know the flag warning system and pay attention to lifeguards,” Wigren said.
The conservancy also recommends downloading its Sharktivity App.
The free app for iPhone and Android users which launched in 2016 provides information about shark sightings and detections. It also allows users to report their own sightings.
The conservancy is in the final year of a five-year white shark population study.
The group has tagged six sharks so far this year for research purposes.
About CapeCod.com NewsCenter
