Experts say not to worry about more shark attacks

By: Chloe Leshner

cleshner@abc6.com

@ChloeLeshner

TRURO, Mass. (WLNE) — Beachgoers are on high alert after that shark attack on the Cape yesterday. The attack was the first on a human at that beach since 2012 and an expert says this doesn’t mean you should cancel your beach vacation plans.

The message here is that shark attacks like this are rare. So rare, many things we do in our normal day to day lives are much riskier.

A man was rushed to the hospital after being attacked by a shark on the Cape and it’s sending shock waves throughout the region.

"When you go swimming in the ocean, it is a wild environment and there is always some level of risk," says Jason McNamee, the Chief of the Division of Marine and Fisheries with the Rhode Island DEM.

With something like that happening so close by, should we be worried about bumping into sharks in our waters?

"There are 2 areas in the proximity of us, one being off the coast of Long Island, Montauk, and then Cape Cod. These are two areas that white sharks in particular congregate. They’re likely transiting through our area probably regularly," says McNamee

But that doesn’t mean we’re going to see any more shark attacks. McNamee says sharks have been seen in the area including when a paddle board was bit last summer, but they aren’t aiming to eat people.

"I think a lot of times what’s happening is it’s a case of mistaken identity or they’re just checking out what you are. Unfortunately they have a lot of teeth when they check stuff out," he says.

To err on the side of safety, there are a few things swimmers should do.

"Don’t swim near seals, that’s a food source for white sharks in particular. Try to swim in an area where there’s lots of people, that’s smart for a number of reasons, not just for sharks," says McNamee.

The New York man who was bit is recovering in the hospital. The beach is still closed.

(C) WLNE/ABC 6 2018