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Multiple reports of dead seals with bite marks as great white sharks return to Massachusetts waters – Boston 25 News

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PROVINCETOWN, Massachusetts – Reports of dead seals found after shark bites are increasing as great white sharks return to Massachusetts waters ahead of the official start of summer.

Seal carcasses have been found on several beaches from Provincetown to Martha’s Vineyard in recent weeks, according to the Atlantic White Shark Conservancy’s Sharktivity app. The app tracks sightings with the help of researchers, safety officials and users who upload photos for confirmation.

The most recent “confirmed shark sighting” was published in Sharktivity on June 3, with the caption “Gray seal with shark bite.” The sighting was documented in the Vineyards Long Beach area.

Other confirmed sightings since May 24th are:

  • “Seal with shark bite” off Race Point Beach in Provincetown on May 24.
  • Fish Bandit Charters released photos of a great white shark in the waters south of Dead Neck off Cotuit on May 25.
  • “Dead seal with bites from great white shark found washed up on Mayo Beach overnight” in Wellfleet on May 26.
  • A May 27 report from the Brooks Road Beach area in Harwichport was headlined, “Dead Seal. Shark Bite Marks.”
  • On May 31, a “dead seal with a shark bite” was reported at Cold Storage Beach in Dennis.

John Chisholm, associate scientist at the New England Aquarium, told Boston 25 that they expect to see more sharks this year as the seal population continues to grow.

“No matter where you go in the water, whether it’s Cape Cod, Gloucester or Plymouth, you need to be prepared for sharks,” Chisholm warned beachgoers.

Although the last shark attack in Massachusetts occurred in 2020, the increasing number of seals and sharks should make beachgoers more vigilant, Chisholm added.

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