Researchers confirm four more shark sightings near Cape Cod in one day

As summer approaches and vacationers flock to Cape Cod and the islands, more shark sightings are being confirmed in the waters off Massachusetts. On Sunday, four sightings were confirmed near Cape Cod by the Atlantic White Shark Conservancy through the organization’s Sharktivity app.

The app allows members of the public to report their sightings with photos, videos and text descriptions of their experiences.

The first sighting on Sunday occurred at 7:23 a.m. midway between Nantucket and Cape Cod. At 8:44 a.m., an app user uploaded a photo of bloody waters and a dorsal fin spotted near Monomoy Island. At 12:12 p.m., a dead shark was found on the beach near Aquinnah, on the western tip of Martha’s Vineyard. Finally, at 9:02 p.m., another dead shark was found on a beach in Chatham.

The first sighting of the season was confirmed on May 29, off Nantucket’s Great Point. Two more followed on June 1, according to the app.

In 2021, researchers documented more white sharks off the coasts of Massachusetts and Rhode Island than in previous years, The Boston Globe reported. More special acoustic receivers could be one reason for the rise in numbers, as scientists now have more tools than ever to track animals.