Shark Season on Cape Cod

🦈 Shark Season on Cape Cod: Staying Shark Smart with Sharktivity

Cape Cod’s pristine beaches and rich marine life make it a summer haven—but beneath the waves, another iconic visitor returns each year: the great white shark. This year the Great Whites have been joined by the relatives, the hammerheads. Its a real family reunion. 

NBC Boston photo

 As sightings increase along the Massachusetts coastline, locals and tourists alike are turning to technology and science to stay informed and safe.

🌊 A Surge in Shark Sighting

This summer, shark activity near Cape Cod has been especially lively. From Chatham to Wellfleet, confirmed sightings of great white sharks have occurred just yards from shore. On July 16, a 14-foot white shark was spotted in Cape Cod Bay. Other reports include sharks devouring striped bass near fishing boats and swimming within 50 feet of popular beaches.

NBC Boston photo

These sightings aren’t random. Cape Cod’s seal population—prime prey for white sharks—has grown significantly, drawing these apex predators closer to shore. While the presence of sharks may sound alarming, it’s also a sign of a thriving marine ecosystem.

Seal colony Cape Cod. Photo credit Deb Neumann

📱 Sharktivity: Your Shark Tracker Companion

To help the public stay informed, the Atlantic White Shark Conservancy (AWSC) developed the Sharktivity app, a free tool available on iOS and Android. The app offers:

• Real-time alerts for confirmed shark sightings near public beaches (red icon)
• Interactive maps showing recent and historic shark activity
• User-submitted sightings with photo verification
• Tracking of tagged sharks via acoustic and satellite data

Whether you’re planning a beach day or just curious about shark movements, Sharktivity empowers users to make informed decisions and contribute to ongoing research. Download the app here. 

🧠 Meet the Atlantic White Shark Conservancy

Founded in 2013, the Atlantic White Shark Conservancy is a nonprofit based in Chatham, MA, dedicated to shark research, public safety, and education. Their work includes:

• Funding scientific studies led by marine biologist Dr. Greg Skomal
• Operating the Shark Centers Chatham and Provincetown,  interactive museums with exhibits, videos, and educational programs for all ages
• Hosting lectures, events, and expeditions to deepen public understanding of white sharks

The Conservancy’s mission is clear: to foster peaceful coexistence between humans and sharks while promoting conservation of these misunderstood creatures.

Deb Neuman & Greg Skomal 2019