WOODS HOLE, Mass. (WHDH) — Shark researchers embarked on a month-long mission to tag more than a dozen sharks.
The crew left Tuesday afternoon. Their goal is to tag at least 20 sharks off the coast of Cape Cod, mostly near Chatham, where there are 15,000 seals to attract great white sharks.
“We embark today on the most ambitious white shark expedition in American history,” said one scientist.
Shark scientists with Ocearch and the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution plan to tag 20 new great white sharks.
“We know we have at least six individuals out there right now and possibly more,” said Dr. Greg Skomal, the lead researcher.
Shark sightings on the Cape have been down this summer compared to last, but scientists say that doesn’t mean they’re not there.
Most beachgoers 7News spoke with said they’re not afraid to go in the water.
“Sure, I would like to see a couple,” said Alfonso Troppeno, who hopes to see a shark.
Last summer Ocearch tagged Genie, the almost 15-foot female shark, just a few miles off the Cape.
“I suspect we’re going to her from her (Genie) this summer at some point because I’m just guessing she’s going to come back to Cape Cod, as many of our sharks do,” said Skomal.
Researchers said the tagged sharks provide valuable information and can also serve as a means to warn swimmers.
“There’s certainly a public safety aspect. You see a shark coming that’s date you never had before. The more data we have, the more responsibly people can make their own decisions with using beaches and using areas,” said Chris Fisher, who wants to tag 20 sharks.
Track the sharks here.