Southeastern Massachusetts has always been a popular vacation destination and lately we’ve been seeing an increase in one kind of “tourist” in particular – great white sharks! The Boston Globe reported that 68 Great Whites were spotted off of the coast of Cape Cod last year, and the growing number of seals in the area is presumed to be the reason for so many sharks.
Research groups in the area like OCEARCH have been tagging and tracking Great Whites, and many of them have accumulated quote a social media following! Twitter users can follow a lovely 16 ft female great white named Mary Lee, and Katharine, whose Twitter bio states that she’s a”Misunderstood but sassy girl just tryin’ to get some fish.”
“The catching of @MaryLeeShark was really special.” ~@HeatherMPhD http://t.co/VlVfglOKja #WorldOceansDay pic.twitter.com/dsQH8cYSsu
— OCEARCH (@OCEARCH) June 8, 2015
This Thursday, we will host the Captain’s and Crew Dinner featuring guest speaker Greg Skomal, world-renowned shark expert who has been featured on the Discovery Channel’s “Shark Week” (which is happening this week, ICYMI!). Dr. Skomal will discuss Plymouth’s new shark beacons, which will track tagged sharks in the area to help organizations like OCEARCH better understand their behavior and to alert harbormasters when sharks are dangerously close to the shoreline and our crowded beaches.
Alden Park Bar and Grill will provide a delicious meal for the Captains and Crew Dinner and over $2,000 in outdoor and fishing equipment will be raffled off. The Captains and Crew event is the kickoff to our 4th annual Bass & Blue Fishing Tournament and Seafood Smackdown—so join us on Plymouth’s waterfront for family-friendly fun all weekend long!
