How many shark attacks have there been in Cape Cod?

Asked by: Alma Sanchez

Since 2012, white sharks at Cape Cod have been implicated in five attacks, including two on swimmers, one on a boogie boarder and one each on a standup paddle board and a kayak with a person aboard. To a lesser extent, the presence extends through the region.

Are sharks common in Cape Cod?

All ocean beaches on cape cod have sharks. But great whites are more often documented on the outer cape beaches, stretching from Monomoy Island and Chatham all the way up Orleans, Eastham, Wellfleet, Truro, and Provincetown. If there are a lot of seals near a beach, then there’s likely an increased presence of sharks.

When was the last shark attack in Cape Town?

According to Shark Spotters, there hasn’t been an attack in Cape Town since 2014.

What are the chances of getting bit by a shark in Cape Cod?

The odds of ever getting attacked by a shark are astronomically low, something like 1 in 3,750,000 depending on whose statistics you believe.

What beach in Cape Cod has the most shark sightings?

Beautiful Nauset Beach has been one of many hot spots for shark activity on Cape Cod, and Monday was no different.

How can you tell if a shark is near?

First is the water clear if so the shark can see better better sight means the shark can tell you aren't the fish.

How close will a shark come to shore?

Statistics show that “most shark attacks occur less than 100 feet from the shore,” and data from the Florida Museum of Natural History seems to corroborate this, saying that “Attacks on surfers and swimmers are most common in 6 to 10 feet of water.”

Is it safe to swim in Cape Town?

While there are no lifeguards, the swimming is generally safe. Like all Atlantic seaboard beaches, however, the Benguela current means the water temperature is what can only politely be called cold.

Why are there no sharks in Cape Town?

Their numbers are in steep decline, and sightings of the deadly predator off the country’s western cape have been dropping rapidly for the past five years. There’s silence and stillness in the oceans, and Andreotti said the lack of sharks is actually an alarm.

Where is the most sharks in Cape Town?

Of these most of them (103) have occurred in the Eastern Cape, 90 in KZN and 55 in the Western Cape. There are three species of shark in South Africa which are responsible for the majority of attacks – tiger, bull (or Zambezi) and white sharks.

Is Cape Cod shark infested?

you can’t avoid seals.



This includes the entire stretch of the beautiful yet shark-infested cape cod national seashore. and don’t think you’re safe elsewhere on the cape — if it’s salt water, it’s shark territory.

Are there tiger sharks in Cape Cod?

“Many of these species are found in Cape Cod waters.” The roster of sampled sharks includes sandbar sharks, dusky sharks, tiger sharks and scalloped hammerhead sharks.

How many great white sharks are in Cape Cod?

132 total sharks were detected last year



The previous all-time high from 2020 was 136,135 detections. The Conservancy has continued to tag more sharks in the region every year, resulting in more detections each shark season.

Are there bears in Cape Cod?

Bears are extremely rare on Cape Cod. Jason Zimmer, southeast district supervisor with the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife, told the Times that this current bear “is the second one spotted in Southeastern Massachusetts in 50 years.”

Can you swim in Cape Cod?

Cape Cod & the Islands beaches offer excellent sand, swimming and water sports. A Cape Cod vacation is a beach vacation. Cape Cod extends 70 miles into the Atlantic Ocean, surrounded by Cape Cod Bay on the north, Buzzards Bay on the west, Vineyard and Nantucket sounds on the south, and the Atlantic Ocean on the east.

Why does Cape Cod have so many sharks?

After being hunted to the brink of extinction, seals became federally protected by the U.S. Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) and the population quickly recovered and expanded. As the seals have migrated further north on the Eastern Seaboard, the sharks have followed.

Do great white sharks live in Massachusetts?

As recently as last Sunday, Freya, another great white that weighs a whopping 883 pounds and measures nearly 11.30 feet long, was detected off the coast of Massachusetts.

Can you see great white sharks in Cape Cod?

Cape Cod shark tours offer the most amazing experience that you can safely get with great whites. However, it’s possible to see these predatory fish from dozens of beaches along the outer arm of the peninsula.

Does Cape Cod have sea lions?

Over 30 species of seal, sea lion, and walrus dwell in the world’s waters, and a variety of seals inhabit the waters off Cape Cod. Yet, two species of seal call Cape Cod home throughout the year – harbor seals and gray seals.

Are there octopus in Cape Cod?

BREWSTER – The arrival of a rare female octopus Friday at the Cape Cod Museum of Natural History may be only the third known instance of this species being brought alive, still caring for a brood of fertilized eggs.

Is Cape Cod getting smaller?

Researchers report that because the largest and fastest-growing fish were harvested, cod have evolved to grow slowly–an adaptation that haunts them to this day. The average size of young adult cod has decreased by about 20% in the last 3 decades.

Do sea lions scare fish away?

Sea lions not only gobble down the live chum, but they have also become adept at nipping off hooked baits while avoiding the hook itself. Hungry sea lions also tend to scare away game fish. Anglers quickly grow discouraged when the dogs are cavorting around the boat.

How do I keep sea lions off my boat?

The city requires boat owners to keep sea lions off their vessels and suggests several methods: blocking swim steps or decks with cloth covers, patio furniture, potted plants, large plastic buckets, snow fencing or kayaks.

What is a seal bomb?

Seal bombs are incendiary devices used by some fishers to deter sea lions, seals, and other mammals from fish nets and fishing grounds.

How do you scare away seals?

Guys used to use is like a little hand grenade underwater. And there's people have tried slingshots.

Do seals eat humans?

Diet and foraging



It is likely that they are opportunistic in that they prey on whatever is readily available. They are the only seals known to regularly hunt and kill warm-blooded prey, including other seals. Although rare, there are a few records of adult leopard seals attacking humans.

Is it OK to swim with seals?

“Seals are like toddlers, they will put anything in their mouth.” She added that seals carried diseases which were highly infectious to humans so even a small bite could cause serious harm. “You should never swim over to where they are because that’s when you get issues,” she said.