20-foot shark appearance during Memorial Day event ignites viral memories of 'Jaws' moment in Rhode Island
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Basking shark confirmed, not a predator
A navigational error by a vulnerable giant
Conservation and climate trends
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A large shark spotted in the Great Salt Pond on Block Island sparked excitement and confusion during Memorial Day weekend, as locals and tourists watched the creature swim near boats in the popular Rhode Island destination.The Atlantic Shark Institute received multiple calls on 26 May after a shark was seen gliding through the saltwater inlet. In a social media post, the institute said, 'We were treated to quite the scene, kicking off the 2025 summer season!'Jen Seebeck, a diner at Dead Eye Dick's restaurant on the waterfront, captured the moment on video as she noticed the animal's dorsal fin cutting through the water. In the background, a voice can be heard shouting, 'There's a shark in the pond!' — echoing a line from Jaws, which marks its 50th anniversary this year.The footage shows two boaters quickly steering away as the large shark glides nearby. The Atlantic Shark Institute called it 'clearly a very large shark and reminiscent of a scene from Jaws,' in its online post. The video has since gone viral, garnering over 12 million views.While many initially feared it could be a great white, Jon Dodd, executive director of the Atlantic Shark Institute, confirmed it was a basking shark. These sharks, though massive — often measuring between 15 and 20 feet — are filter feeders and pose no danger to humans.'They are harmless filter-feeders, but that wouldn't matter much if you were in the water when one came cruising by!' Dodd told CBS. 'It is the first shark that has entered the pond this season, but likely not the last!'Speaking to FOX Weather, Dodd added, 'They look very intimidating. But knowing what to look for, you can quickly tell it's not a white shark.' He explained that basking sharks often resemble great whites to the untrained eye, especially when only the dorsal fin is visible. One key difference is that basking sharks have rounded fins, while great whites have pointed ones.According to Dodd, the animal probably entered the pond by mistake. 'This guy just made a mistake,' he said. 'He must've been cruising up the west side of Block Island … and said, 'Hey, let me explore what's going on in this pond.' And found himself in the wrong place.'The shark is believed to have remained in the pond for about a day before leaving overnight when the waters were quieter.These sightings aren't unusual. Basking sharks often appear off southern New England during late spring. The Atlantic Shark Institute noted that 'sharks are arriving in Rhode Island daily as water temperatures continue to rise and more and more species of shark find them suitable to their liking.'Other species like thresher sharks and smaller makos have also been known to enter the Great Salt Pond in similar conditions.Basking sharks are the second-largest fish species in the world, growing up to 50 feet and weighing as much as 10,000 pounds. They are listed as 'vulnerable' by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN), and in some regions, considered endangered.Dodd sees the sighting as a positive indicator of marine health. 'It's a good sign,' he said, pointing to the visibility and activity of these filter-feeding giants near the surface.Block Island, recently named one of the top 10 summer destinations in the U.S. by USA Today, continues to attract attention for its coastal beauty — and now, for its surprise Memorial Day visitor.'Hopefully, this shark will find its way out of Great Salt Pond soon and continue on its way!' the Atlantic Shark Institute concluded.
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