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<\/p>\nCHILMARK, Mass. \u2014 They\u2019re back! Great white shark season in New England is officially underway.<\/p>\n
In a pre-Memorial Day warning to the public, New England Aquarium adjunct scientist John Chisholm announced Wednesday that a dead gray seal found at Lucy Vincent Beach on Martha\u2019s Vineyard on Sunday had suffered a bite wound consistent with that of a white shark.<\/p>\n
Chisholm, of the Aquarium\u2019s Anderson Cabot Center for Ocean Life, says he made the determination after examining photos taken by Andrew Jacobs from the Natural Resource Department of the Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head.<\/p>\n
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Scientists urge public to be vigilant after first white shark of season confirmed off Massachusetts (A gray seal seen with a fatal white shark bite on Martha\u2019s Vineyard on May 11, 2026. CREDIT: Andrew Jacobs)<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is just the beginning of white shark season in New England, and it serves as a good reminder to be mindful of the presence of these sharks in inshore waters. Their numbers will continue to increase throughout the summer with peak activity occurring in the fall,\u201d Chisholm said in a statement.<\/p>\n
Chisholm has been researching white sharks for nearly 40 years. He emphasized the importance of being \u201cshark smart\u201d by being aware of their presence in shallow waters, avoiding areas where seals are present, or schools of fish are visible, and staying close to shore where emergency responders can reach you if needed.<\/p>\n
Chisholm also reminded beachgoers and boaters that they can stay informed through the Atlantic White Shark Conservancy\u2019s Sharktivity app<\/a>, which provides information and push notifications on white shark sightings, detections, and movements to raise awareness and help people and sharks co-exist.<\/p>\n The Conservancy previously shared this interactive map with Boston 25. The blue fin logo documents this season\u2019s first sighting.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n All of the icons that typically appear on the map during shark season indicate the following:<\/p>\n Over 15 shark species reside in New England waters, depending on the time of year, according to researchers.<\/p>\n Last year, there were many shark sightings in Massachusetts waters. <\/p>\n Whale watchers in Gloucester encountered two great whites<\/a>, the largest tagged great white shark pinged off Nantucket<\/a>, and Ipswich\u2019s Crane Beach rolled out new shark safety protocols<\/a>.<\/p>\n Download the <\/b>FREE Boston 25 News app<\/b><\/a> for breaking news alerts.<\/b><\/p>\n Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook<\/a> and Twitter<\/a>. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW<\/a><\/p>\n \u00a92026 Cox Media Group<\/p>\n\n
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