In case you’re out on the water fishing for striped bass, preserve a lookout for hungry apex predators.
Cape Cod shark researchers have gotten a number of latest studies of nice white sharks taking striped bass along side fishermen’s boats.
This isn’t a brand new phenomenon for the waters off Massachusetts, as sharks have been noticed final summer season leaping out of the water to catch striped bass on fishing traces.
After some latest incidents, shark scientists need fishermen to understand how quick sharks can snatch striped bass.
“Fishermen should keep this in mind when retrieving or releasing fish,” posted shark biologist John Chisholm, who confirms shark sightings for the Atlantic White Shark Conservancy.
“There have been more than a few close calls and I hope by raising awareness we can avoid incidents of people getting hurt or worse,” he added. “If you do have an encounter like this please report it.”
These incidents haven’t solely occurred alongside the Cape. A white shark not too long ago took a hooked striped bass boat facet close to Scarborough, Maine, based on the Atlantic White Shark Conservancy’s Sharktivity app.
In the meantime, shark scientist Greg Skomal tagged his first white shark of the season the opposite day, because the analysis workforce took benefit of a lifeless whale floating off Scituate.
The whale carcass not too long ago attracted many sharks for a feast in Cape Cod Bay.
“First tag of the season!” the Atlantic White Shark Conservancy posted, including, “Dr. Greg Skomal with the Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries working with the Atlantic White Shark Conservancy was able to tag one white shark!”
“The team took the opportunity to trailer the research boat up to Scituate, MA where a whale carcass has been observed with multiple white sharks feeding on it,” the Conservancy posted. “It’s a unique opportunity for us to watch and learn as individual white sharks feed!”
The Sharktivity app has additionally been filled with posts with seals being noticed with white shark bites. As an example, a lifeless seal with a shark chew was seen final week close to Truro’s Head of the Meadow Seaside. Additionally, an injured seal with a shark chew was noticed off Chatham’s Monomoy Island.
However sharks are apparently not the one predators going after seals. A coyote was not too long ago seen attacking a seal alongside Provincetown’s Race Level Seaside.
First tag of the season! On Friday (7/19) Dr. Greg Skomal with the Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries working with the Atlantic White Shark Conservancy was in a position to tag one white shark! pic.twitter.com/7VbBOr0n6G
— Atlantic White Shark Conservancy (@A_WhiteShark) July 22, 2024
