Massachusetts

CAUGHT ON CAMERA: Great White Shark Breaches Water, Surprises Biologists

The Atlantic White Shark Conservancy said such encounters are rarely caught on film

Two researchers were shocked when a great white shark came too close for comfort Monday during their research excursion off Cape Cod in a caught-on-camera confrontation.

Greg Skomal, a state biologist, got a full view of the predator’s frightening jaws as it breached the water and exposed its teeth to him. Skomal can be heard excitingly ask the boat’s driver if he had seen the wild encounter.

"It came right up and opened its mouth right at my feet!" he says in the video.

The Atlantic White Shark Conservancy released the video on its Facebook and said encounters like the one in the video are rare, but not impossible. The conservancy reminds everyone that sharks are unpredictable, wild animals.

"This is a good reminder of the importance of not becoming complacent and always staying vigilant when in or on the water," it said in the Facebook post.

It's been a wild summer in the waters off of Cape Cod, where great  white  shark spottings have been reported since mid-June.

Experts warn beachgoers to stay away from seals while swimming; to swim close to shore, where your feet can touch the bottom; to not swim alone at dawn or dusk; limit splashing in the water and avoid wearing shiny jewelry; and to swim, paddle, kayak or surf in groups. 

Contact Us