Seems that there's been quite a few Great White shark sightings here in New England this year. 

The latest was a week ago this past Tuesday at Nauset Beach in Orleans, Massachusetts.

This aerial photograph was taken by Wayne Davis, it shows a white shark about 150 feet from one person sitting on a surfboard while another looks to be paddleboarding.  Mr. Davis said that the shark was at one time as close as 75 feet from the two people.

According to an article in The Boston Globe, researchers came across eight white sharks off the coast of Chatham on that Tuesday.  Cynthia Wigren, president and co-founder of the Atlantic White Shark Conservancy, "Surfers should just be aware that white sharks are still in the area.  “Ways to improve safety are to surf in groups, don’t surf near seals, and don’t surf at dawn or dusk.”

The Conservancy has identified 60 different white sharks this year with the biggest measuring 17 feet long.

The white sharks are expected to be in that area feeding on seals until December, when they will then migrate south.

In early September two women kayaking on the coast of  Plymouth, Massachusetts were attacked by a great white shark when it breached the water and actually bit one of the kayaks, knocking both into the water.  The women were admiring seals at play.  You can read about that here on our site and also hear the frantic 911 call that one of the women made from the water on her cell phone.

Meanwhile here in Maine, scientists say that the seal population is on the rise, so one would have to wonder if white sharks are venturing into our territory also.  In mid July, in Passamaquoddy Bay between Maine and St. Andrews, New Brunswick, a Canadian tourist boat encountered a great white shark. Tourists say that the shark was about 15 feet long and swam beside the boat for about 10 minutes.  You can see the video that one tourist took here on our site.

I spend a lot of time in a kayak.  Am I concerned?  Let's just say that when it comes to the ocean that all things are connected and that I plan to stay away from seals.

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