Shark sightings keep experts, beachgoers on their toes

CHATHAM, Mass. (MyFoxBoston.com) – Shark and marine experts in Massachusetts, especially on Cape Cod, are busy keeping an eye on great white sharks spotted in the area in recent days.

On Tuesday, the state's Senior Marine Fisheries biologist came back from a day of boating in the ocean east of Monomoy Island in search of sharks. Although he did not tag any sharks, he did spot several great whites.

The Mass. State Police Air Wing caught a glimpse of a shark approximately 200 yards off the shore of Chatham Monday.

According to state police, the shark was estimated to be 14 feet long. State police tweeted four photos of the shark from their account late Monday.

On Sunday, shark experts say they spotted a great white shark off of Cape Cod, also in Chatham.

The Atlantic White Shark Conservancy took a picture of a great white swimming off the shore of Chatham Sunday. If you look closely, you can see seals on the right side of the picture.

Officials at the conservancy say the shark was probably just trying to catch some dinner.

Three tagged sharks are known to have returned this season. The first shark, known as Julia, returned May 28. "Julia" was first tagged in 2011 and returns about the same time each year.

In June, there were multiple reports of white sharks, but no photographic evidence.

Experts can't be sure if they were whites, basking sharks, or some other sea creature; however, a great white was confirmed off of Nauset Beach June 9.

Tagging typically starts in July and runs through September. The tagging is important to figure out the habits and numbers of great whites are out there. Experts can guess, but they really have no exact numbers regarding the population of the whites roaming off of Cape Cod.

One person was seriously hurt last summer in an attack and beaches were closed off and on all summer.

As a reminder, do not swim near seals.

Cox Media Group