On Wednesday, June 19th, a large shark was spotted off the shore of House Island. Shortly after, another sighting of a very large shark around Bakers Island was called in. The Manchester Police Department and the Parks and Recreation Department coordinated to immediately release a public alert. While swimming is permitted, they said, residents are advised to remain cautious in the water.
It’s not clear whether these were two sharks or one. Regardless, they captured media attention across the state in the days that followed.
The truth is, there could have been two large sharks sighted simultaneously off of Bakers and House Island because there has been a proliferation of shark sightings in recent years prompted by the surge in the seal population they feed on.
“People should understand that this isn’t atypical,” said Manchester Harbormaster Bion Pike. “We have great whites here. As long as they’re hanging out around the seals, we would look at that as appropriate behavior.”
There has been a dramatic surge in shark sightings in recent years, especially around Cape Cod and here on Cape Ann. This year, public awareness surrounding sightings spiked after two shark attacks on Cape Cod last summer. A 26-year-old Revere man was killed in a shark attack in Wellfleet. It was the first fatal shark attack in Massachusetts in over 80 years, and the first in the United States since 2015. Needless to say, it triggered a lot of attention and fear.
The Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries (MDMF), in cooperation with the Atlantic White Shark Conservatory (AWSC), has been tagging and tracking great whites along Cape Cod since 2009. They attribute shark migration to changes in the seal population, which has been growing consistently since a 1972 federal law (the “Marine Mammal Protection Act”) protected them after they were nearly hunted to extinction. The act banned the import, export, sale, harassment or killing of marine mammals, helping the seal population recover. Today, the seal population has caused sharks (particularly great whites) to move further toward the shoreline for hunting.
Pike confirmed there are plenty of seals around Cape Ann, particularly near Bakers Island. In Manchester, it’s fairly common to see a seal bobbing out in between boats in the harbor, or poking its head out here and there.
Although the chances a shark attack are statistically unlikely, authorities are looking into ways to install safeguards and ensure public safety. According to Pike, the state has explored expanding the MDMF’s tagging program into Cape Ann and installing buoys in places like Manchester, Essex and Gloucester that would recognize tagged sharks if they travel close to the shore. However, such an initiative would be expensive and time-consuming. “It’s really going to be on the communities to push for it,” said Pike. “Like any state agency, [the MDMF is] probably feeling constrained by budget and all the work they have to do down [on the Cape].”
In cooperation with the MDMF, the AWSC helped develop a consumer-friendly app called “Sharktivity,” which allows people to track the tagged sharks and get notifications if buoys pick them up nearby. While it is informative (and quite popular), it is not meant to serve as an early detection system for shark activity.
Some individuals and organizations have advocated a more aggressive approach, pushing for the removal of seals or sharks. Others argue this would be ineffective, unethical and could result in poor ecological ramifications. The Atlantic White Shark Conservatory thinks the growing seal population and increased shark presence along the coast “indicates the restoration of a healthy ecosystem.”
In any case, Pike said shark sightings are likely a new normal, and believes trying to purge the oceans of seals or sharks is, simply, unrealistic. Being informed, understanding rules of safety and following common sense should accompany our “new normal.” Going forward, he advises, “Keep an eye open. Know that sharks can come into very shallow water.” Additionally, he suggests “see something, say something.”
If you spot something that may be a shark, report it to Harbormaster Pike at (978) 526-7832 or the Manchester Police Department at (978) 526-1212.
