Cape Cod Official: 'Concerning Level Of Complacency' About Sharks

ORLEANS, MA – An official in one Cape Cod community is issuing a frank warning after a summer marked by persistent shark activity close to shore: "It is time for beachgoers to change their behavior or something terrible is going to happen."

Nathan Sears, habormaster and natural resources manager for the town of Orleans, shared a note on Facebook Wednesday ahead of the holiday weekend. According to Sears, EMTs and lifeguards patrol the beaches under the assumption that there are always sharks in the area, but beachgoers are not always aware of this reality.

"As far as I can see, local tourism and beach attendance has yet to be negatively affected by the presence of the sharks," Sears wrote. "Regardless of how much signage and information we provide, there still seems to be a concerning level of complacency."

Sears cited a recent attack in Truro that left a 61-year-old man with injuries so severe he was placed in a two-day coma, had six surgeries and was given 12 pints of blood, as well as regular cases this summer of sharks "feeding aggressively in shockingly shallow water."

Sears urged the public not to take unnecessary risks and said white sharks are expected in the area through October.

Read the full statement below:

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