SHARK FACTS Great white sharks have been drawn back to the Cape because of a growing CAPE COD GREAT Sharks have existed for more seal population, which has rebounded WHITE SHARK SAFETY than 400-million years. after nearly being hunted to extinction. Shark attacks are rare events. Millions As top predators, sharks are of us swim in the oceans each year, critical for maintaining a healthy with just a handful of attacks. The only and balanced marine ecosystem. way to completely rule out a close encounter with a shark is to stay on the Sharks are slow growing, late to shore. mature, and produce few offspring making them extremely Through research we gain a better vulnerable and slow to recover understanding of sharks and their from overexploitation. behavior, which will allow us to improve public safety. A number of shark species are considered threatened or endangered.

Great white sharks are a prohibited species in Massachusetts. It is illegal to s

harvest them. d Cape Cod’s waters

OTHER RESOURCES n are part of a

It is estimated that 70 to over a l natural and wild 100 million sharks are harvested Massachusetts Shark Research Program s

each year, some of which are Division of Marine Fisheries I marine ecosystem killed just for their fins. www.mass.gov /marinefisheries with a rich diversity e

Global Shark Tracking h of sea life,

OCEARCH T including sharks. www.ocearch.org &

Supporting Local Shark Research and This brochure Education d provides important Atlantic White Shark Conservancy o shark safety tips for

www.atlanticwhiteshark.org C beach goers and e Brochure created by the towns of Cape Cod some facts about & The Islands with funding from a p

a sharks. Massachusetts Community Innovation

Challenge Grant. C SHARK SAFETY TIPS SHARK SIGHTINGS DORSAL FINS FREQUENTLY MISTAKEN FOR GREAT WHITE SHARKS Don't swim where seals are Notify a lifeguard or a present. parking lot attendant if a shark is spotted. Don't swim too far from shore. Shark reports will be Avoid swimming early and late investigated quickly. in the day (when sharks tend to feed). great white dorsal fin Beaches will be temporarily Swim in groups. closed to swimming or Ocean Sunfish - not a shark, but surfing. a very large harmless fish that Avoid wearing shiny jewelry or moves its fin up and down. other accessories (which look Signs will be posted about like fish scales to a shark). shark sightings and beach closures. Avoid cloudy water (sharks could mistake you for prey). Beach goers will be notified Avoid surfing alone. when they can re-enter the water. Basking Shark - second largest Avoid areas with signs of living fish. A slow moving baitfish or fish feeding activity - harmless shark that feeds on tiny watch for diving seabirds. shrimp-like plankton. Be aware that sharks may be present between sandbars or near steep drop offs.

In addition to white and basking sharks, sand* If tigeryou sharks, are not sandbar fully sharks, aware of smoothall the dogfish, risks and of spiny entering dogfish the frequently visit Massachusetts coastal waters.ocean However, and are these not smaller prepared (< 5 feet), harmlessto take sharks these are notrisks, likely do to benot seen at the surface.go into the ocean.*