Latest news with #JohnChisholm
Daily Mail
23-07-2025
- Science
- Daily Mail
Fisherman catches very dangerous shark off Cape Cod as huge great white closes in on beloved peninsula
A Massachusetts fisherman has hooked one of the world's most dangerous sharks just yards from shore - just as a 14-foot, 1,600-pound great white circles nearby waters, stoking fresh fears along the East Coast's most iconic summer playground. The shocking catch, a juvenile tiger shark landed off Mashpee, comes as scientists warn of a surge in aggressive, warm-water predators migrating north due to rapidly rising ocean temperatures. Hans Brings was casting lines at Popponesset Beach, along the Cape's southern edge, when he made the alarming catch just feet from shore. At just four-feet long, the tiger shark is renowned for its aggressive behavior and is second only to the great white in recorded attacks on humans. The unsettling encounter came just days after a satellite ping revealed the largest great white shark ever tagged in the Atlantic, nicknamed 'Contender', cruising just 30 miles off the coast of Nantucket, less than 100 miles from Boston. Brings released the animal back into the sea, but scientists say it's part of a growing trend that's impossible to ignore. 'It's another warm-water species that's taking advantage of the warming waters and coming north,' said scientist at the New England Aquarium John Chisholm to the Boston Herald. 'Now, we're getting little ones like this one every year. We've been seeing more and more of them.' The historic catch is not a one-off event. Marine experts have been sounding the alarm for years: as climate change warms Atlantic waters, tiger sharks, hammerheads, and even bull sharks, all tropical and subtropical predators, are extending their range northward. 'This is now within their comfort zone,' Chisholm explained. Tiger sharks, often called 'garbage cans of the sea' due to their varied and unpredictable diets, can grow large enough to devour seals, a key food source also favored by the great white shark. Indeed, a 14-foot, 1,653-pound great white shark was recently detected just 30 miles off the coast of Nantucket, swimming alarmingly close to the Cape. The massive apex predator, nicknamed 'Contender' by researchers, is believed to be about 32 years old and was first tagged off the Florida-Georgia border earlier this year. Since then, it has pinged more than 40 times as it made a 1,000-mile journey up the East Coast with its dorsal fin breaking the surface from Vero Beach to Cape Hatteras to the cooler waters near Massachusetts, prime territory for seals. Although nothing like the 25-foot movie monster from Jaws, filmed just across the water on Martha's Vineyard, Contender is the largest great white ever tagged in the Atlantic. 'The largest white sharks that have been reliably measured are right around 20 feet, and any larger than this is likely impossible,' said Nick Whitney, PhD, senior scientist at the New England Aquarium to USA Today. 'People need to take precautions when they go into the water,' Chisholm warned. 'We know sharks are here, and you're swimming in a shark habitat, so you have to be aware. 'They're not targeting humans,' he reassured. 'It's usually an accident when they bite somebody, but unfortunately one bite can hit an artery and you can have a loss of life.' Contender's path has sparked unease in local communities, particularly given the shark's proximity to Nantucket, Cape Cod, and Boston, packed with beachgoers throughout the summer. Marine biologist Andriana Fragola, 31, told that beachgoers need to understand how to respond if they encounter a shark. 'The best thing to do is just to remain calm,' she advised. 'If you do want to get out of the water, just slowly kind of back out of it - that way you can keep an eye on the shark while getting out.' 'Any type of screaming and splashing… it's definitely going to make them more interested in pursuing you or just checking you out.' If a shark is nearby, 'eye contact is key,' she added. 'You want to look like a predator… show the shark that you see it. 'And then if the shark ever continued to approach you… you could push down on the top of the head and push it away from you. That's like last-case scenario.' Chisholm noted that larger tiger sharks, like the one caught this week, may soon begin feasting on the Cape's abundant seal colonies. 'They're very opportunistic when it comes to prey,' he said.
Irish Daily Mirror
10-07-2025
- Irish Daily Mirror
Man drags shark onto beach in front of stunned beachgoers before horror attack
A man attempting to return a shark to the sea in front of gobsmacked beachgoers was bitten by the grey and white beast during their tussle in the water. The 21 year old lad, who had reeled in the Sandbar shark while angling, ended up being airlifted for medical attention. The unnamed fisherman caught and attempted to release the creature on a beach near Hoicks Hollow in Nantucket - an island in Massachusetts, USA - on Sunday evening. In a video clip of the event, he can be seen pulling the creature back into the water by its tail as it wriggles from side to side. At one point, the man leaps over the shark, pressing down on it and prying open its mouth with the help of two other men, all under the watchful eyes of families including young children. It seems that the group of men are extracting a fishing hook from the shark's formidable jaws, aiming to set the predator free back into the sea. The barefoot man then hauls the shark into deeper waters, and with the assistance of two others, appears to attempt to let it go, whilst still gripping its tail as the waves recede. Once waist-deep and upon releasing his hold, the shark swiftly turns and nips him on the leg before swimming away, reports the Mirror. The man is subsequently seen limping towards the shore, hopping at one point and requiring the aid of another man to reach the safety of the sand. Emergency services were not summoned to the scene, and a friend drove the injured man to the hospital. The injured individual was later airlifted to a mainland hospital by a Boston Medflight helicopter for treatment. The incident was witnessed by numerous beachgoers and patrons of the nearby Sankaty Head Beach Club. According to an Instagram post by Nantucket Current, Massachusetts shark biologist John Chisholm from the Anderson Cabot Center for Ocean Life identified the shark that bit the man as a sandbar shark, a species commonly found in the surrounding waters. This incident follows several sightings of great white sharks off the coast of nearby Cape Cod earlier this month, as reported by the Atlantic White Shark Conservancy. The increase in shark sightings coincides with the warmer weather, attracting both locals and tourists to the scenic beaches. Dr Nick Whitney, senior scientist at the New England Aquarium, explains: "The sharks and the humans are both on the water's edge more frequently in the summer," Shark sightings are logged on the conservancy's Shaktivity app, which records both confirmed and unconfirmed sightings with pins for individual spottings, as well as shark tag detections. The app also alerts users when a shark sighting is confirmed near a public beach.
Daily Mirror
10-07-2025
- Daily Mirror
Man drags shark onto beach in front of beachgoers before horror attack
A 21-year-old man had caught the Sandbar shark while fishing but ended up needing to be evacuated by an air ambulance for treatment after being bitten A man who was trying to drag a shark back out to sea in front of stunned beachgoers was bitten by the grey and white creature while wrestling with it in the water. The 21-year-old man had caught the Sandbar shark while fishing but ended up needing to be evacuated by an air ambulance for treatment. The fisherman, who has not been named, caught and tried to release the animal on the beach near Hoicks Hollow in Nantucket - an island in Massachusetts, USA - on Sunday night. In video footage of the incident he can be seen dragging the animal into the water by its tail, as the shark begins squirming from side to side. At one point the man then jumps across the shark, leaning down on it, while opening its mouth up to look inside with two other men, while families including young children watched on. It appears that the group of men are removing a fishing hook from the shark's powerful jaws, in order to release the predator back into the ocean. The barefooted man then drags the shark into deeper water, and with the help of two others, appears to try to release it, while still holding on to its tail as the waves go back out. Once the man is waist-deep and let's go, the shark promptly turns and bites him on the leg, before swimming off. The man is then seen hobbling to the shore, he hops at one point and needs one of the other men to help him reach the safety of the sand. First responders were not called to the scene, and the man was driven to the hospital by a friend. He was later transported by a Boston Medflight helicopter to a mainland hospital to be treated for his injuries. The entire incident was witnessed by numerous beachgoers and people at the nearby Sankaty Head Beach Club. According to Nantucket Current's instagram post Massachusetts shark biologist John Chisholm, of the Anderson Cabot Center for Ocean Life, identified the shark that bit the man as a sandbar shark, a common species in the waters around the area. It comes after sevearl great white sharks have been spotted off the coast of nearby Cape Cod already this month, according to the Atlantic White Shark Conservancy. The rise in the number of shark sightings coincides with the warmer weather, which sees locals and visitors flock to the picturesque beaches. "The sharks and the humans are both on the water's edge more frequently in the summer," explains Dr Nick Whitney, senior scientists at the New England Aquarium. Shark sightings are recorded on the conservancy's Shaktivity app, which notes confirmed as well as unconfirmed sightings with pins for individual spottings, as well as shark tag detections. The app also notifies users when a shark sighting is confirmed close to a public beach.
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
First white shark of season confirmed off New England after dead seal found on Massachusetts beach
BOSTON - Beachgoers, beware! The New England Aquarium in Boston said the first great white shark of the season was spotted lurking in the waters off Nantucket over the weekend. According to the aquarium, a witness noticed a pool of blood off Smith's Point in Madaket on the western end of the island on Sunday, May 11, and then saw a seal swimming toward the shore with a shark in pursuit. Groundbreaking Research Shows Great White Sharks May Change Color To Better Hunt Their Prey After examining photos of the seal, John Chisholm, an adjunct scientist in the aquarium's Anderson Cabot Center for Ocean Life, it was confirmed that the bite did indeed come from a white shark. "This is the time of year when we like to remind people to be 'shark smart' as white sharks return to the inshore waters of New England, where they'll hunt seals and other prey through the summer and into the fall," Chisholm said. So, what does it mean to be shark smart? Can Lights Help Prevent Shark Attacks? Chisholm said people heading to the beach need to be aware of sharks' presence in shallow water and avoid areas where seals are present or schools of fish are visible. It's also advised to stay close to shore, where emergency responders can get to you if you need help. Beachgoers can report shark sightings and can be alerted to shark activity with the Atlantic White Shark Conservancy's Sharktivity app. What Are The Most Dangerous Beaches In America? The New England Aquarium has a team of nine scientists in the Anderson Cabot Center for Ocean Life who study sharks, including porbeagle and nurse sharks, as well as thresher, blue, mako, sandbar, and sand tiger sharks. Officials said that, depending on the time of year, over 15 shark species reside in the waters off New article source: First white shark of season confirmed off New England after dead seal found on Massachusetts beach
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
First confirmed 2025 sighting of white shark in Mass. waters
The first white shark of the 2025 season has been spotted off the coast of Massachusetts. The sighting happened off of Nantucket on May 11, according to The New England Aquarium (NEAQ). A person who was on the shore of Smith's Point in Madaket on the island noticed a 'pool of blood' in the water, then saw a seal swimming toward the beach. A shark was following close behind the seal, the witness said. After the seal got to shore, an NEAQ scientist examined pictures of the seal's wounds and confirmed its bites came from a white shark. 'This is the time of year when we like to remind people to be 'shark smart' as white sharks return to the inshore waters of New England, where they'll hunt seals and other prey through the summer and into the fall,' said John Chisholm, an adjunct scientist in the Aquarium's Anderson Cabot Center for Ocean Life. To be 'shark smart,' the public should be aware of sharks' presence in shallow waters. The public is also advised to avoid areas where there are seals or schools of fish, and to stay close to shore. Scientists also encourage the public to report shark sightings through the Atlantic White Shark Conservancy's Sharktivity app, which has information on shark activity. 'Increased shark sightings can be a positive sign of a recovering marine ecosystem, but this recovery also means that people should take even more care while swimming or surfing,' said Dr. Nick Whitney, senior scientist and chair of the Anderson Cabot Center's Fisheries Science and Emerging Technologies program. 'Our work in the Aquarium's Anderson Cabot Center focuses on balancing ocean use with preservation, meaning we recognize the importance of the ocean for human use while trying to reduce the impact of humans on sharks, and vice versa,' Whitney said. This limited edition cherry blossom multi-styler is the perfect Dyson Airwrap dupe This Shark Vacuum is under $200 and it might be the best Dyson alternative yet 100 sharks were tagged on Cape Cod. Here's where they went Owner wants to sell Sub Zero Nitrogen Ice Cream in Worcester Shark sighting: Orleans police respond to 'not typical' call for service Read the original article on MassLive.
