On July 4, a great white shark was confirmed to have been sighted near Woods Hole, Massachusetts, marking the first occurrence in over 20 years. Paddleboarders Margaret Bowles and Maddie Cronin spotted the shark while taking photos, capturing its dorsal fin in a photograph. Bowles, who teaches marine biology, expressed surprise at seeing a great white so close, having not experienced a shark sighting since 2004. Shark biologist Greg Skomal confirmed the identification, noting these sharks typically inhabit areas with abundant seals, particularly during peak season from August to October.
According to Cape and Islands NPR station, the two sent the photo to shark experts for help with identification. Greg Skomal, a shark biologist with the state Division of Marine Fisheries, confirmed it was a great white shark.
Great white sharks typically patrol the Outer Cape - from Chatham to Provincetown - drawn by cooler waters and an abundant seal population.
Bowles noted that the last confirmed shark sighting in the area was in 2004, before she was born.
Skomal told WCAI that great white sharks are most likely be in Buzzards Bay at the beginning and end of the peak shark season, from August to October.
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