Researchers Tag First Shark of the Summer Season

COURTESY OF THE ATLANTIC WHITE SHARK CONSERVANCY

CHATHAM – Researchers with the Atlantic White Shark Conservancy tagged their first white shark of the season on Friday.

The 12 foot great white shark was tagged off the southern portion of Nauset Beach.

Dr. Greg Skomal tagged the shark and named it after it his friend Luke who recently passed away.

A great white shark was spotted just feet from shore at Race Point Beach in Provincetown on Tuesday evening, attacking a seal and eating the animal in front of beach-goers.

Last year, 141 great whites were identified in Cape waters which was an increase from 68 in 2014, the first year of the study.

Of the sharks identified last year, 101 were sharks that had not been previously spotted.

Researchers also tagged 24 great whites last year which was up from 18 the year before.

The Conservancy is in the midst of a five-year population study of great white sharks in Cape waters.