Biologist Has Close Call With Great White Shark
White shark surprise breach off Wellfleet, MA
While out on research trips, we've seen white sharks breach and we've received multiple reports of breaching white sharks this year from fishermen and boaters. While encounters like this one are rare, this video shows that they’re certainly possible. White sharks are wild and unpredictable animals. This is a good reminder of the importance of not becoming complacent and always staying vigilant when in or on the water. Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries Cape Cod National Seashore
Posted by Atlantic White Shark Conservancy on Monday, 6 August 2018
Recently The Atlantic White Shark Conservancy posted a video on social media showing biologist Greg Skomal who works with a state government agency in the United States having a very close encounter with a massive great white shark off the coast of Massachusetts. Mr Skomal had been attempting to place a tag on the apex predator which is certainly not something for the faint hearted. As he tried to tag the great white, it leapt out of the water and was literally within inches of the biologist’s feet.
To close for comfort
Fortunately for Mr Skomal he was positioned just out of reach of the great white and did not suffer any injuries, however had he been just a few inches closer things could have ended up quite differently. According to The Atlantic White Shark Conservancy, it is routine to see white sharks breach when conservationists are out on their research trips. They have also had a number of reports of breaching sharks from fisherman recently.
Wild and unpredictable
Though close encounters of the kind captured in this video are rare, they are clearly possible. The conservation group concludes that great white sharks are both wild and unpredictable and therefore this video should serve as a reminder of just how important it is to avoid complacency and instead remain vigilant no matter whenever people are in or on the water.