Great White Shark Eats Seal Near Nauset Beach

ORLEANS, MA — The unofficial end of summer just passed on Cape Cod but great white shark season is very much active. There have been a host of great white sightings up and down the Cape coast in recent days. On Thursday, a shark was spotted eating a seal about 150 yards from Nauset Beach in Orleans.

This summer has been another busy one for shark sightings. In August, a great white bit a paddleboarder's craft at a Wellfleet beach. The paddleboarder was not hurt. Also that month, a great white was caught on camera leaping out of the water to steal a fisherman's catch just off the Cape. (Sign up for free daily newsletters and breaking news alerts from Massachusetts Patch sites.)

Cape Cod is a hot spot for sharks, which are drawn in by the dense seal population. Great whites nurse off Montauk, New York, and travel to the Cape every summer to hunt, according to researchers. Shark attacks on humans are extremely rare; the odds are about one in 12 million.

State officials run a "Sharktivity" app that tracks great white shark sightings off Cape Cod. This map shows recent sightings:

The Atlantic White Shark Conservancy provided these tips for avoiding great white encounters:

• Do not swim near seals
• Swim close to shore, where your feet can touch the bottom
• Swim, paddle, kayak and surf in groups
• Do not swim alone in the ocean at dawn or dusk
• Avoid isolation
• Limit splashing and do not wear shiny jewelry
• Keep your distance (at least 150 feet) from seals, whether they are resting on land or are in the water. It is against the law to disturb them
• Adhere to all signage at beaches where seals are resting
• Keep pets leashed. Inquisitive dogs can startle resting seals, resulting in seal bites or scratches to you or your pet
• Follow instructions of lifeguards
• Become familiar with the beach flag warning system
• Take time to read signage at the beaches

Related:

• Shark Bites Paddleboarder's Craft At Cape Cod Beach
• Great White Shark Chomps Seal Next To Swimmers At Cape Cod Beach: Video
• Great White Shark Leaps, Steals Catch Off Cape Cod
• Great White Sharks Devour Whale Off Cape Cod
• Great White Shark Chomps GoPro Off Cape Cod
• Great White Shark Chomps Seal In Half Off Cape Cod
• Great White Sharks Return To Cape Cod
• First-Ever Great White Shark Nursery Found South Of Cape Cod

Lead photo credit: Atlantic White Shark Conservancy