Shark sightings skyrocket off Cape Cod following Nantucket beach closure

TRURO, Mass. — There were many shark sightings off Cape Cod on Wednesday, just days after officials on Nantucket closed a beach to swimming amid an uptick in reports of great whites lurking in the water.

Shark season officially appears to be in full swing, with at least 10 reported great white sightings along the Cape as of 2 p.m., according to the Atlantic White Shark Conservancy’s Sharktivity app.

There were clusters of sightings reported off beaches in Truro and Wellfleet, as well as further south near Nauset Beach in Orleans. In the last two days alone, there have been a total of 16 sightings off the Cape.

Sharktivity is a free app that allows users to upload photos and information about shark sightings.

Sharks appear on Cape Cod in the warmest months of the year, typically from May to November. There were more than 133 sharks were detected last year off the Cape.

The Coskata-Coatue Wildlife Refuge on Nantucket on Monday implemented a swimming ban around Great Point until further notice after several shark sightings and predation in the area.

Great Point is a large, undeveloped barrier beach protruding from the tip of Nantucket. It’s also home to the iconic Great Point Lighthouse.

In late June, a great white shark pinged as far north as Jenness Beach in Rye, New Hampshire.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

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