Great White Shark Chomps Seal Next To Swimmers: Video

ORLEANS, MA — A shark ate a seal just feet from swimmers at Nauset Beach in Orleans Monday. No humans were hurt in the incident, which happened in front of a crowd of dozens. Lifeguards could be seen running to the scene making sure bystanders gave the shark enough room. (Sign up for free daily newsletters and breaking news alerts from Massachusetts Patch sites.)

A bystander captured the attack on video:

The beach was closed to swimming during the attack. Also on Monday, Ballston Beach in Truro was closed to swimming after another shark was spotted close to shore.

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. Great whites are most active off the Cape in late July and early August.

There have been no incidents involving sharks attacking people on the Cape so far this summer. Earlier in August, however, a great white was caught chomping a researcher's underwater GoPro.

Shark attacks on humans are extremely rare; the odds are about one in 12 million. Most shark attack victims survive, as bites on humans by sharks are normally exploratory.

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:

• 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
• App Alerts Boaters To Great White Shark On Cape Cod

See Also: Great White Shark Caught On Camera In Massachusetts

Photo credit: Atlantic White Shark Conservancy