A few notes on the incident:

I know one of the three persons to witness the complete incidednt and make the first report to Nauset Beach Management. I actually hooked him up with Greg Skomal who was investigating the incident for MA DMF.

I am told that most of the persons interviewed in the paper and on TV were not even there to see the actual attacks (the shark hit the seal twice over about 10 minutes). There were three Campers at the location when it happenned and though three people did see the shark on two occasions it was only after the seal carcass washed up that a crowd gathered. Obviously, people tend to fill in their minds eye when they miss something that others saw. Also, people tend to want to be "involved" to the point they exaggerate, esp when Media gets involved.

Greg Skomal who is the "expert" quoted in the recent articles is truly an "expert", actually a world class expert on Sharks. It is he who determined it was likely a GW by intervews with those that saw the incident. The initial Tiger reports began by those that saw the incident trying to make and id based on their quick view of the tail.

Also, when GW wharks feed they eat until they can not eat anymore, then they digest and eat again. This is probably what the article was talking about with regard to the two week thing.

Thpough I have no love for the town, I do not think they have been dumbing this one down.

No doubt there are lots of Sharks in the area, but this is nothing new. They have been and will be there for many years. this year I have heard reports from fishermen that I know of seeing a large possible GW on Stellwagen in June, a couple reports of a big one (15 plus feet) out at the Sword, and the KeeperReaper report of the Shark off Nauset. Do not forget, the Tuna have been around for a while now and GW eat them too.






Though there were only three Campers at the location and three men that actually saw the complete incident, after the commotion began alll kinds of people showed up.

WMVY regurgitated the party line on the 9 AM newscast, as best as I can recap:

"State officials confirmed that it was a GW. However, THE :rollem: shark is probably long gone and poses no threat to bathers. GWs travel 30-50 miles a day (editorial comment--yeah, when they're not at an all-you-can-eat seal buffet) and there's no reason to think that IT :rollem: is still in the area. GWs go for weeks between meals (did everyone lose sight of the fact that a) this was a harbor seal and b) enough of the carcass was left for Skomal to make a definitive GW ID from the bite?) and even if THE shark is still there, it probably won't be hungry". :wall:

I don't attribute really sinister motives to this, however--not necessarily, that is. Giving them the benefit of the doubt, it may be that they're trying to prevent a boatload of shark posses from going out shark-huntin' for a protected species.

And the truth of the matter is, as MVY closed with a quote from someone from the NE Aquarium, that GWs don't normally feed on swimmers. Most attacks on humans are the result of them mistaking us for a seal.