Another Shark Sighting Closes Cape Cod Beach

PROVINCETOWN, MA — A great white shark was seen close to shore at Race Point Beach in Provincetown Thursday afternoon. Officials closed the beach to swimmers as a precaution. It was one of at least eight great white sightings off Cape Cod on Thursday alone.

On Wednesday, a great white shark bit a paddleboard with a man on it at Marconi Beach in Wellfleet. The man was not hurt but said the bite felt like "getting hit by a truck." (Sign up for free daily newsletters and breaking news alerts from Massachusetts Patch sites.)

State officials run a "Sharktivity" app that tracks great white shark sightings off Cape Cod. This map shows Thursday's sightings, which were concentrated around Provincetown and Orleans.

Cape Cod is a hot spot for sharks, which are drawn in by the dense seal population. Great whites nurse off Montauk, New York, and travel to the Cape every summer to hunt, according to researchers.

There have been no incidents involving sharks attacking people on the Cape so far this summer. Shark attacks on humans are extremely rare; the odds are about one in 12 million. Most shark attack victims survive, as bites on humans by sharks are normally exploratory.

The Atlantic White Shark Conservancy provided these tips for avoiding great white encounters:

• Do not swim near seals
• Swim close to shore, where your feet can touch the bottom
• Swim, paddle, kayak and surf in groups
• Do not swim alone in the ocean at dawn or dusk
• Avoid isolation
• Limit splashing and do not wear shiny jewelry
• Keep your distance (at least 150 feet) from seals, whether they are resting on land or are in the water. It is against the law to disturb them
• Adhere to all signage at beaches where seals are resting
• Keep pets leashed. Inquisitive dogs can startle resting seals, resulting in seal bites or scratches to you or your pet
• Follow instructions of lifeguards
• Become familiar with the beach flag warning system
• Take time to read signage at the beaches

Video: A great white shark eats a seal just feet from swimmers at Nauset Beach in Orleans August 21, 2017. (Credit: Patrick O'Brien)

Related:

• Shark Bites Paddleboarder's Craft At Cape Cod Beach
• Great White Shark Chomps Seal Next To Swimmers At Cape Cod Beach: Video
• Great White Shark Leaps, Steals Catch Off Cape Cod
• Great White Sharks Devour Whale Off Cape Cod
• Great White Shark Chomps GoPro Off Cape Cod
• Great White Shark Chomps Seal In Half Off Cape Cod
• Great White Sharks Return To Cape Cod
• First-Ever Great White Shark Nursery Found South Of Cape Cod

Lead photo credit: Atlantic White Shark Conservancy