3 days ago
20-Foot Shark Spotted Lurking in Rhode Island Pond by Shocked Waterside Diners
A woman spotted a 20-foot shark swimming in Great Salt Pond off of Block Island in Rhode Island on Monday, May 26
The Atlantic Shark Institute executive director, Jon Dodd, said the shark was likely a basking shark, the second-largest fish species
The expert noted that Rhode Island residents should expect more shark sightings near Block Island as the weather continues to warm upA lengthy shark was spotted enjoying Memorial Day around Rhode Island's Block Island.
On Monday, May 26, a shark, estimated to be 20 feet long, was spotted swimming in Great Salt Pond off of Block Island, according to a video from Jen Seebeck who was enjoying dinner at Dead Eye Dick when she spotted the massive creature in the pond.
In the video, two people are on a speedboat jetting through the pond as a shark slowly swims near them. "There's a shark in the pond!" a person says in the background of the video, which was later shared with the Atlantic Shark Institute.
"Clearly a very large shark and reminiscent of a scene from Jaws on this 50th anniversary of the film," the Atlantic Shark Institute said about the clip in its social media post.
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"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," the post continued. "Hopefully, this shark will find its way out of Great Salt Pond soon and continue on its way!"
Atlantic Shark Institute executive director Jon Dodd said the shark in the video is a basking shark, estimated to be approximately 20 feet long with a large dorsal fin.
The basking shark is the second-largest fish species after the whale shark. The animals subsist on tiny plankton and are commonly spotted in southern New England waters in late spring, according to the New England Aquarium. Additionally, basking sharks are often mistaken for great white sharks, but the latter have pointed dorsal fins, while basking sharks have rounded fins.
Dodd said the shark likely accidentally entered the pond and has since left the area.
"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!"
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