Nice white sharks have some competitors.
One other shark species was noticed attacking seals off Massachusetts for the primary time, in keeping with native shark researchers.
Dusky sharks have been seen preying on grey seals off Nantucket, the researchers present in a brand new research.
The scientists from the Atlantic White Shark Conservancy, the New England Aquarium, and the Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries recorded the first-ever aerial footage of dusky sharks killing and consuming a seal in Massachusetts waters.
“Though the observations we’re reporting are preliminary, they have changed our understanding of the feeding ecology of dusky sharks, which are considered endangered on a global scale, as well as predatory interactions between sharks and seals in the waters off Massachusetts,” mentioned Megan Winton, senior scientist on the Atlantic White Shark Conservancy and lead writer of the research.
“This footage provides us valuable insight into understanding the behavior of a shark species that experienced steep population declines in the mid-20th century but now seems to be recovering and reassuming an important ecological role,” Winton added.
We’re thrilled to announce the publication of a brand new analysis paper! The paper, Novel Observations of Dusky Sharks Preying on Grey Seals off Nantucket, MA, paperwork the primary recognized aerial footage of dusky sharks preying on grey seals in Massachusetts waters. pic.twitter.com/ETMclYJAR9
— Atlantic White Shark Conservancy (@A_WhiteShark) August 28, 2025
A number of shark assaults on seals have been reported off the Nantucket coast of Nice Level Coskata-Coatue Wildlife Refuge by beachgoers and boaters in July of 2023.
Initially, folks thought it was nice white sharks attacking the seals, because the native white shark inhabitants has jumped over the last decade. Nevertheless, researchers images and video footage of the assaults confirmed that they have been dusky sharks.
Following these reviews, the staff of researchers launched a drone and captured unprecedented footage of a big dusky shark killing and consuming a grey seal in shallow water.
Dusky sharks weren’t recognized to prey on seals, however researchers say it’s seemingly they’re “resuming a historically important ecological role” as populations of sharks and seals alongside the East Coast rebound in response to protecting laws.
Cape Cod is taken into account the northern extent of the dusky shark’s vary in the summertime within the western North Atlantic, however little is thought about its distribution and habitat use within the area.
“This work opens a new chapter in our understanding of how recovering shark populations in the U.S. Atlantic may influence the ecological structure of coastal ecosystems,” mentioned co-author Greg Skomal, senior fisheries biologist on the Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries and director of the Massachusetts Shark Analysis Program.
“These incredible observations, a first for this species, raise important questions about how these predators may impact both wildlife management and public safety as they return to their historic habitats,” Skomal added.
The research additionally highlights the growing significance of drone know-how and public engagement in advancing marine science.
Based mostly on the preliminary footage obtained by eyewitnesses that led to the Nantucket seashore closure, at the least three different grey seals have been consumed by dusky sharks off Nice Level in July of 2023.
“This discovery illustrates the important roll the public can play as citizen scientists in documenting and reporting shark behavior,” mentioned John Chisholm, adjunct scientist on the New England Aquarium and a co-author of the research. “Eyewitness reports, paired with new monitoring tools, made it possible to capture rare predator-prey interactions that would otherwise go undocumented.”
The Atlantic White Shark Conservancy Sharktivity’s app helps increase consciousness of the presence of white sharks off the coast. The app sightings are fed by researchers, security officers, and customers who add images for affirmation.
