SHARK ALERT! 5 giant great whites seen off New York and Jersey, beachgoers warned against getting into the water
Coronavirus-hit New Yorkers found a new warning at the waterfront with at least three great white sharks believed to be lurking in waters off NYC's beach areas while two more suspected to be heading towards them. The most recent sightings happened earlier this month with Caroline (measuring 12ft 19in and weighing 1,348 lbs) spotted between Seaside Heights and Barnegat Light and New Jersey Shore on July 1, and Caper (8 ft and 348 lbs) and Cabot (9ft and 533 lbs) near the Hamptons coastline on June 4 and 8 respectively, according to Ocearch online shark tracker.
Vimy (almost 13ft and 1,164lbs) was also prowling in the neighborhood and was seen on July 10 in the deep waters near Delaware and southern New Jersey. However, it is also likely that he is just heading for the cool waters off Canada. A fifth monster in Mary Lee (16ft and 3,456lbs) is also likely to be doing rounds around Jersey shore areas, her old chomping grounds. Her satellite tracker was found to be inactive in 2017 as the batteries died but scientists have ruled out the possibility that it is dead.
On July 1, a seven-foot shark washed up on Rockaway Beach but compared to those lurking around, it posed a minor threat. Great white sharks can have more than 3,000 blade-like teeth that can grow till six inches. The deadly predators were made famous in public life by the 1975 blockbuster 'Jaws' directed by the legendary Steven Spielberg.
The news is not terrible, say experts
Were the real dangers akin to that shown in the thriller movie? Experts feel it may not be.
“The drive to the beach is much riskier than swimming with sharks in the water,” said Paul Sieswerda, head of Gotham Whale, a research and advocacy organization in New York City, New York Post reported.
He also said that the presence of great whites is something positive, as it indicates at healthy local waters. According to Sieswerda, cleaner water has seen abundance of menhaden bait fish and seals since 2010 and they attract sharks and predators. He said more great whites could be expected in the coming years if seals continue to stay here for the entire year, like it has happened in Cape Cod.
Chris Fischer, founder of Ocearch, echoed Sieswerda by saying that he also expects “a steady slow increase in shark numbers”. According to him, having the five great white sharks are “no more than normal” and they were following typical migration patterns, the Post added.
Fischer said a rising population of great whites seeks a celebration as they prey on the weak and that keeps the marine stocks strong and ensures that the ocean will remain full of fish for years to come. Fischer cautioned the beach-goers advising them against swimming out into the ocean if they spot seals, baitfish crashing and birds diving. Great white sharks are considered vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature and their numbers have dwindled over the years.