Expert expects to tag more sharks in Mass. than ever before

WAREHAM, Mass. (MyFoxBoston.com) – SKYFOX was high above Wareham Monday where beaches were open after a weekend shark sighting.

The unconfirmed sighting was reported at Swifts Neck Beach on Saturday.

FOX 25's Jarrod Holbrook spoke with Harbormaster Garry Buckminster about the sighting. Buckminster says a man, who is involved with the national fisheries, told him he spotted the shark about 250 yards off the beach Saturday.

According to the witness who Buckminster says is a credible source, the shark was as long as a pick-up truck.

Buckminster is taking the sighting seriously and is suggesting beachgoers swim closer to shore; however, he admits that the news is not necessarily making him want to jump in the water.

While it may seem a bit unusual for a great white shark to be swimming in the bay area, shark expert Dr. Greg Skomal says that is not the case.

"We have shark sightings in Buzzards Bay, no doubt. As a matter of fact, a white shark died and washed ashore in Westport last summer," Dr. Skomal said.

Dr. Skomal kicked off a great white shark tagging expedition Monday. He says he expects to tag more sharks this year than ever before which is a reasonable goal considering the upward trend. He tagged five sharks in 2009, six sharks in 2010, and 17 sharks in 2011.

"I think it's a very simple cause and effect. We're seeing more and more resident seals in the area – huge numbers! And white sharks are taking notice," Dr. Skomal said.

Harbormaster Buckminster says local and state police searched by boat and air for hours and saw no sign of the shark.

The last time there was a deadly great white shark attack in Massachusetts was in 1936 in Mattapoisett Harbor.

To track sharks in real time, download these cell phone apps: Global Shark Tracker at https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/global-shark-tracker/id570772231?mt=8 and Expedition White Shark at https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/expedition-white-shark/id488682903?mt=8.

Cox Media Group