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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.
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